17/09/2024
For those who would enjoy the full article written for Cycle News by Suzy Barr Fann Moody, I’ve copied it below. I’d love to add a photo of each rider, but I don’t have everyone yet.
2024 Enduro Vintage Trophy
Camerino, Italy
Sept 4-7, 2024
Story by Suzy Moody
Pictures by Future7Media
In 1974, the ISDT was held in Camerino, Italy. Fifty years later, the FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy race came to Camerino again. Having experienced a devastating earthquake in 2016, the still recovering town welcomed international racers and fans with open arms and thankfully, lots of Cappuccino!
Twelve riders and crew from the USA traveled to Camerino to participate in the event, lead by the Trophy Team of Fred Hoess, Billy Burns and Marc Grossman. We had a Silver Vase Team consisting of Lendon Smith, Chilly White and Mike Sheetz. The Club Team was led by Ronnie Smith included George Pennington and James Lubniewski. We also had three individual riders: Robert Johnson, Haim Beressi and riding for his home country the Netherlands, Erik Nijkamp.
I am thrilled to report that every US rider finished the event! We had a broad spectrum of experienced team riders and crew. Some were seasoned like Fred Hoess, Chilly White, Billy Burns, Marc Grossman and Robert Johnson all with past ISDE experience to share with the team. While this was the first international event for the other riders, and in some cases the first race for their crew.
Once the event got underway, the teams worked out who would go to what checks, we had Team USA tents at all the Time Controls and got hitting on all four cylinders servicing all the riders throughout the race course.
We had a few mishaps and mechanical problems along the way that significantly skewed the results from an actually spectacular event. Perennial stand out, Fred Hoess had a rare engine seizure on day 2 and 3 but with some quick thinking and crew experience he kept his bike going, but not without a lost route point, which is sacrilege in the Hoess camp. In true Fred Hoess fashion he finished the race super strong, winning several tests and had a knock down drag out with superstar Stephan Peterhansel at the final MX, where Fred came out on top! Fred ended up 3rd in the C2 class and 6th Overall. It also should be noted a “handicap” scoring system was instigated this year at affected Fred and a good many of our riders for their final outcome and positions. Mike Sheetz had a significant mechanical failure that brought him in an hour late, although he was able to re-impound, he took a significant point hit, that really did not represent his overall outcome, which was very good! Marc Grossman also took a time hit missing some marginal arrowing and got caught out with some late minutes, which also did not represent a great overall event!
Results wise our Trophy Team got 7th place out of 13 teams. Our Silver Vase Team got 49th out of 76 teams, our MTS Club team got 30th out of 45 teams. Out of the Individual riders, Robert Johnson got 4th place, Erik Nijkamp got 17th place and Haim Barresi got 21st place.
Congratulations to all the riders and crew! We represented the United States proudly. We met old friends and made new friends. The spirit of this event is to ride hard, but more so than anything, enjoy the camaraderie and hanging out with cool, like-minded people.
END
