Edievale stock-animal reproduction specialist Kylie Dorr joined Rachael Archer and Taylar Rampton to form the New Zealand’s women’s team for the world’s oldest off-road motorcycling event, from October 14-19.
"There’s no comparison between home and Spain," the 35-year old mother of two sons said, "except maybe the recent rain".
Last week Spain had record flooding, but there had also been bad weather in the week preceding it and the ISDE was right in the middle of that.
"You didn’t know what to expect ... You came down a rough track, tired and covered in mud on to a public highway and suddenly you’re among traffic doing 140kmh on the wrong side of the road."
Well used to riding all together, 570 of the world’s top male and female enduro competitors raced against time around 120km circuits twice a day for five days in downpours.
"Day three and four were the most challenging — the same track was used as day one to two because flooding put the planned ones out of action. Training and support really paid off in terms of fitness and confidence, but the technical challenge of the tracks that were destroyed by so many riders was new."
Dorr had her best results with a new track on day five, and day six featured a motocross just 20 minutes long, but very muddy and punishing after five days continuous enduro.
Rampton dropped out injured, meaning heavy points penalties for the team, but Dorr finished 129th overall and Rachael Archer, 22, came second in the Women’s World Trophy to bring New Zealand’s women in fifth, while Team France were overall winners.
"Rachael is very talented with an excellent attitude and a real chance of winning ... It was our first time, and now we have a better idea what to expect I’m looking towards taking on a management as well as a competitive role."
Dorr said the event cost each rider between $30,000 and $40,000, and she had been abroad for 29 days.
"The longest I’ve been away from my boys before was four days ... Mum looked after them and they got to go away on holiday, and friends helped out so she could have a break too ... we’re so grateful for the support we’ve had from the community and all our sponsors."
Next year’s ISDE will be in August in Italy and in the meantime, Dorr is planning for events closer to home.
"I’m a member of the Blue Mountain and Gore motorcycle clubs, and we’re looking forward to our first time organising and hosting the Cross Country Nationals, here for the final two rounds in March next year."
