6Days Futures Next Generation of American Off-Road Racers
The 6Days Futures program was created to support, educate, and inspire the next
generation of American off-road motorcycle racers, while building awareness of what
the International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE / “Six Days”) truly entails.
6Days Futures isn’t about trophies — it’s about preparation, discipline, and
understanding what it takes to compete for Team USA at the international level.
The Six Days is a long-term goal for many young riders, but since it is rarely hosted in
the United States, what the event actually entails and how riders can begin preparing is
often unclear. The 6Days Futures Program is designed to help change that.
Note: 6Days Futures is an educational initiative — not a selection or evaluation program.
Program Vision
The vision of 6Days Futures is to introduce youth riders to:
- All the aspects of Six Days competition
- The level of preparation involved – physical, mental, emotional, mechanical and logistical.
- How consistency, strategy, mindset, and adaptability play a role in success at the Six Days
- What youth riders can do today to give them the responsibility and discipline required to be the Team USA athletes of tomorrow.
US Sprint Enduro racing provides the closest competitive format in the United States to
the Six Days. The enduro and cross tests resemble the tests found at the ISDE, as does
the “racing against the clock” mentality. Back-to-back race days, evolving track
conditions, time management, and the need for consistency and focus mirror, in a
smaller, more controlled environment, the same challenges riders face at ISDE.
This is why many riders – Trophy Team members, ISDE Club riders and unproven riders
seeking selection to one of the teams – use US Sprint Enduro competitions to prepare
themselves for current and future international competition.
This is also why the AMA selection committee often uses a US Sprint round as a
qualifying race to select the Club teams and even help make close-call decisions for
riders who are in the running for Trophy Team selection.
The 6Days Futures program is built around this connection, with the goal of helping
riders turn real race experiences into meaningful learning opportunities that support
long-term growth.
Who Can Participate
- Ages 12–17
- Youth riders racing US Sprint Enduro events
- Riders with an interest in learning, listening, and growing their skills
- Participation is free, optional and open to interested youth riders at each round.
Understanding the Six Days
What Is the Six Days?
The International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) is the highest level of international
competition for off-road racers. Riders compete in teams, representing their countries,
against other teams from across the world. The race is long, lasting six consecutive
days. The first five days are 6+ hours of riding per day, with all of the racing taking place
against the clock. The final day is a short, fifteen-minute motocross race with a gate
drop and head-to-head racing.
Occasionally referred to as the Olympics of Enduro, it is also quite similar to the
Motocross of Nations, in the sense that each country puts forth the best team they can,
in the hope of bringing home glory and honor to their country.
Who Competes in Six Days?
In order to represent their countries at the ISDE, riders must be at least sixteen years of
age and possess a valid driver’s license, as well as citizenship of / a passport from the
country they will be representing. Riders must be selected by their home country and
given the licenses and permission to compete. This isn’t an event you can just sign up
for!
What Classes are there at Six Days?
There are two divisions of competition, which are further broken down into sub-
categories
World Trophy Riders
These riders are the best of the best, and the world trophy division is the most elite level
of competition in enduro. Trophy riders are the top professional riders in their home
nations, and there are three categories within the trophy division, based on age and
gender. To be part of any winning or podiuming trophy team is a major
accomplishment. For the USA, Trophy Riders are selected by a committee that takes
into account current race results, ISDE experience, and other factors. Sometimes the
AMA ISDE Qualifiers are used to help inform this decision, but these riders do not earn
their spots because of their finish at a single race.
World Trophy Team Riders – There are four riders on a World Trophy Team, and
they are the very best their country has to offer. Johnny Girror (USA), Dante
Olivera (USA), Josh Toth (USA), Cody Barnes (USA), Kurt Caselli (USA), Taylor
Robert (USA), Ryan Sipes (USA) Josep Garcia (Spain), Andre Verona (Italy), and
Steve Holcombe (Great Britan) are some examples. Only two American men in
the ninety-nine years the ISDE has been held – Robert and Sipes – have been the
overall winners of the event.
Junior Trophy Team Riders – There are three riders on a Junior Trophy Team and
all of them must be under twenty-three years old. Many World Trophy Riders
began their ISDE careers on Junior Trophy Teams.
Women’s Trophy Team Riders – There are three riders on the Women’s World
Trophy team. In recent years the USA has been especially successful in this
category, winning it five of the last six years. Brandy Richards (USA) has been
one of our most successful riders, competing on all five of those winning teams.
Club Riders
Club riders are still outstanding riders, consisting of top amateurs and up-and-coming
pro riders. They compete on three-rider teams. In addition to the fastest team winning
the Overall Club award, there are separate awards for the top Veteran’s Club team (over
the age of 40) and the top Women’s Club team as well. The Club riders earn their spots
at the AMA ISDE qualifiers. There is one qualifying race on the east coast and one on
the west coast, but riders can attend both, regardless of where they live. The selection
procedures are publicly available on the AMA’s website.
Individual Scores
Individual scores are based on division, category, and engine displacement.
A trophy rider in engine class 1 is referred to as an E1 rider. The C1 class refers to the
same engine displacement, but within the club division.
E1/C1: Two-stroke and four-stroke motorcycles 250cc and under
E2/C2: Four-stroke motorcycles from 255cc – 450cc
E3/C3: Two-strokes above 251cc and four-strokes above 451cc
Riders receive medals based on how close they finished to the overall leader of their
division. (for example, a C2 club rider’s medaling position is calculated against the C2
winner, not the E2 trophy rider or the overall winner of the event. The women trophy
riders and the women club riders are their own category)
Gold Medalist: A rider who finishes within 10% of the overall winner of their
division
(Example: If the category winner’s total time is 100 minutes, a gold
medalist’s time would be under 110 minutes)
Silver Medalist: A rider who finishes between 110% and 125% of the overall
winner of their division
(Example: If the category winner’s total time is 100 minutes, a silver
medalist’s time would be between 110 and 120 minutes)
Bronze Medalist: A rider finishes the event without restarts or disqualification.
Demands of the event
In addition to riding special tests, like at a US Sprint Enduro, riders must spend many
hours riding from test to test – they aren’t right next to each other like at a Sprint! Riders
do not race on this “transfer trail” but they do have to be to checkpoints and tests at
certain times. If a rider is late, they are given penalty time. If they are ever more than a
half-hour late, they are disqualified from the event. So in addition to raw sprint speed,
riders must have the endurance to ride their motorcycles for six to eight hours a day,
and still have the energy to sprint as hard as possible when they arrive at a test.
Riders must also:
- Race six days in a row, and stay focused through many hours of riding, knowing when to relax, and when to push.
- Ride through different terrain and conditions – transfer trails can be anything from highways to goat paths: up mountains, across streams and shallow rivers, over narrow bridges, through tunnels, down hiking paths, up hard enduro rock gardens, and over sand dunes, just to name a few possibilities. Six Days riders must be ready for anything!
- Stay on schedule in the transfer trail and arrive at checkpoints on time, keeping track of their elapsed time and mileage, then adjusting their pace accordingly – or being smart enough to pace off other, more experienced riders.
- Use the same motorcycle all week. Some parts are specially marked and cannot be replaced (engine, frame, and wheels, for example). You crash it and break it? You’re stuck with it!
- Be able to work on their own motorcycle and be resourceful. When you have a problem twenty miles from the checkpoint, all you have to work with is your mind, hands, and the tools you carry. Even at the checkpoints and end- of-day service time, mechanics are only allowed to do a few very specific tasks – riders must do most of their own bike work, and do it under a time crunch. If you exceed your allotted time in the service area, you will receive a time penalty, just as though you were late to a checkpoint.
- WORK AS A TEAM! Racing is an individual sport. But at the ISDE, you have teammates. What helps them, helps your team score, and therefore helps you. Discussing lines, walking tests together, and providing support to your teammates is a critical part of success at the ISDE
The riders who do well at the ISDE aren’t just fast. They are prepared, consistent,
determined and resourceful.
The Program
6Days Futures helps families better understand what the Six Days involves and how to
support and prepare a future Team USA racer.
What is this program?
At each US Sprint Enduro round, an experienced ISDE rider will act as a mentor to the
youth racers. The main part of this mentorship is the group track walk. The youth riders
can expect insight into:
- Line choice and terrain reading
- Race strategy for sprint enduro formats
- Mental approach and decision-making
- Track changes from Day 1 to Day 2
- Preparation, pacing, and consistency
- Lessons learned from national and international competitions.
Just as important, riders will have the opportunity to ask questions, listen, and learn
directly from mentors who have walked the same path they might hope to someday
follow.
Each event will look a little different and may include additional activities. This is
because each of our mentors is different, with different strengths that they bring to the
table. The one thing they have in common is a proven record of success at the ISDE!
Rider Takeaways.
Following the mentor-led track walk after Day 1 of racing, participating youth riders ages
are invited to share and discuss their own takeaways from the event.
These takeaways encourage riders to reflect on:
- Line choice and terrain changes
- Strategy and preparation
- How lessons from Day 1 can be applied on Day 2
Participation is optional and designed to be quick, positive, and educational.
East Coast Qualifier Extras
Round two of the US Sprint Enduro (poster at end of webpage, with other resources) will
serve as the East Coast ISDE qualifier.
In addition to watching Club (and maybe even some Trophy) riders battling for spots on
the Team USA roster, you will get to see that selection process occurring in real time
What if my child never races the ISDE? Why should they still participate in this
program?
Because the ISDE requires so many different skills, even a rider who never competes in
the ISDE can learn many useful things by participating in this program.
Race skills: Managing multiple days of competition, bike maintenance, recovery,
nutrition, fitness, mindset, and line selection.
Life skills: Time management, decision-making, resourcefulness, attitude, and
teamwork.
Why Mentorship Matters Progression doesn’t happen by accident.
The US Sprint Enduro 6Days Futures program is built on the belief that access to
experience is one of the most valuable tools a young rider can have. Learning how to
think about a track, manage pressure, and prepare mentally and physically can shorten
learning curves and build confidence — on and off the bike. This program reinforces the values of sportsmanship, discipline, and preparation that
are critical at higher levels of competition and in life.
Want to Learn More?
Learn more about the International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE):
👉 Official event information and regulations are available on the FIM ISDE website.
👉 Additional background can also be found on the AMA website.
Important Program Clarification
6Days Futures is an educational and development-focused program. It does not select, recommend, or influence riders for any national or international
teams.
Team selection for the International Six Days of Enduro is handled independently
through established governing bodies and team management processes.
Our role is to build awareness and connect goal-oriented youth racers with
accomplished racers who provide guidance based on their own experiences.
6Days Futures mentors volunteer their time to support and educate the next generation
of American off-road racers.
Meet the Mentors
6Days Futures mentors are experienced ISDE racers who want to give back and help the
next generation of American off-road riders grow.
Through track walks and conversations, mentors share what they’ve learned about
preparation, mindset, and racing with purpose — helping riders better understand what it
takes to approach long-term goals responsibly.
Round 1 – PRO 1 Racer, CODY BARNES
2021 ISDE Junior Team (Italy)
2024 ISDE Trophy Team (Spain)
2025 ISDE Trophy Team (Italy)
Round 2
Women’s PRO
Rachel Gutish
10 Years Experience Racing 6Days!
Round 3
PRO 1
Johnny Girroir 2023 – 1ˢᵗ ISDE Trophy Team Champion
