By PETER DOUGLAS
THREE Bridges local Daniel Sanders is feeling on top of the world after this month winning the coveted 2015 FIM International Six Day Enduro in Slovakia.
Sanders, 21, won the E3 class, in one of the most prestigious motorcycle events in the world, over Frenchman Mathias Bellino and Oscar Balletti from Italy.
Affectionately known as ‘Chucky’, the KTM Enduro Racing Team rider also won the World Junior Trophy with fellow Australians Tye Simmonds, Tom Mason and Broc Grabham, beating Sweden and Italy to first place.
“The feeling has sunk in now and it’s just incredible,” Sanders said.
“I’m rapt with how things turned out.
“From the first day, we realised we were the fastest team out there and that we could win the Junior World trophy if we just stayed on two wheels and finished strongly every day.
“In my class, I got into the lead on day two and kept pulling a bigger and bigger gap.”
Sanders said to come home as the fourth best enduro rider in the world was a special feeling.
“After crossing the finish-line on the last day, my old man jumped the fence and celebrated with me,” he said.
“It felt really good to have my family there.”
Australia also led the senior World Trophy for four days before being controversially relegated to second-place by the French, which was still Australia’s best overall finish ever.
Sanders last weekend returned home to compete in the final rounds of the 2015 Yamaha Victorian Off-Road Championship at Penshurst, just outside of Hamilton.
He leads the Pro Class by 44 points over ISDE teammate Tom Mason.
Sanders returns to Europe to compete in the final round of the 2015 MAXXIS FIM World Enduro Championships in France from 3-4 October.
To follow Daniel’s progress, follow www.facebook.com/danielsandersracing.
