Tag Archives: Argentina

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ISDE 2023: U.S. ON TOP AT HALFWAY POINT

The U.S. Trophy Team continued its strong performance in Argentina as the ISDE introduced new trails and special tests on the third day of the event. The team expanded its lead over Great Britain to 8 minutes. Meanwhile, the U.S. Junior team slipped to third place as France had an impressive showing, and Sweden maintained its lead in that category. In the Women’s Trophy, the U.S. team remains ahead with Brandy Richards leading the pack and Rachel Gutish winning a special test early in the day.

WORLD TROPHY TEAM (WT)
The challenging conditions, featuring rocky and technical terrain, presented a fresh challenge for Team USA’s World Trophy (WT) as they tackled Day 3. FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Taylor Robert led the charge, securing fourth place, while teammate Dante Oliveira claimed seventh overall. Johnny Girroir and Cole Martinez also contributed to the team’s success, helping to extend their lead to +8:15:17 with three days remaining.

Taylor Robert had a bad fall but remains in good form as the week reaches the halfway mark.

Taylor Robert expressed his pride in the team’s performance, highlighting another day with all four members ranking in the top 10. Despite encountering a setback with a significant fall during the second test, he managed to recover and improve his position to fourth overall for the day. He looks forward to the remaining challenges ahead.

Dante Oliveira is America’s top scorer.

Dante Oliveira acknowledged the day’s challenges and expressed his determination to push harder in the upcoming days to improve his performance.

Johnny Girroir shared his positive experience from the day and expressed his dedication to maintaining the team’s progress despite facing minor health issues.

Cole Martinez: On Day 3, Cole demonstrated a remarkable improvement, achieving the best time among the Americans in the final test. He currently holds the fifth position overall and fourth in the E2 class.

JUNIOR WORLD TROPHY TEAM (JWT)
Mateo Oliveira’s consistent performance earned him the fifth place on the third day, maintaining the fourth spot overall in the Junior World Trophy (JWT) classification. Grant Davis and Kai Aiello also made significant contributions, keeping the team’s podium prospects alive as they currently hold the third position at the halfway mark.

Mateo Oliveira: Acknowledging the challenging tracks and tests, Mateo expressed his determination to improve his performance in the upcoming days.

Grant Davis: Grant reflected on the day’s experience and emphasized the opportunity to learn from the challenges and make a stronger comeback in the subsequent days.

WOMEN’S WORLD TROPHY TEAM (WWT)
The U.S. Women’s World Trophy (WWT) Team continued to dominate the category, with KTM-supported Brandy Richards achieving victory on Day 3. The team extended its lead in the team classification with Korie Steede and Rachel Gutish securing the third and fourth positions, respectively, contributing to a considerable lead of +10:31.89.

Brandy Richards expressed satisfaction with the day’s performance and emphasized the team’s focus on consistency and enjoyment while gearing up for the upcoming challenges.

World Trophy Classification (After Day 3 of 6)
1. USA, 9:07:40.45
2. Great Britain, +8:15.17
3. France, +8:55.02
4. Spain, +10:33.86
5. Italy, +11:34.15

Junior World Trophy Classification (After Day 3 of 6)
1. Sweden, 6:56:33.20
2. France, +11:53.79
3. USA, +14:42.13
4. Argentina, +39:20.80
5. Czech Republic, +47:31.79

Women’s World Trophy Classification (After Day 3 of 6)
1. USA, 7:58:22.34
2. Australia, +10:31.89
3. FIM LA, +1:49:48.75
4. France, +4:50:18.76
5. Argentina, +7:12:07.28

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2023 ISDE, DAY TWO: TEAM USA LEADS THE WAY

The second day of the 97th running of the ISDE in Argentina saw Team USA extend its lead. Dante Oliveira, Taylor Robert, Cole Martinez, and Johnny Girroir have consistently performed well in each test, keeping their team at the top of the standings. The standout performers in the individual competition are Josep Garcia from Spain and Andrea Verona from Italy, who have won every test between them. In the team competition, Great Britain is Team USA’s closest rival. In the Junior Trophy competition for younger riders, the U.S. moved up to second place, while the American Women’s team took first place.

WORLD TROPHY TEAM (WT)
Dante Oliveira from FMF KTM Factory Racing was the top performer for Team USA’s World Trophy effort. He finished third overall and second in the E2 class on his 450 XC-F, repeating his performance from the previous day. Taylor Robert, Oliveira’s teammate, finished fifth overall on Day 2 and moved up to fourth in the individual classification. Johnny Girroir also had a strong performance, securing eighth place on his 350 XC-F and placing within the top 10. Together with Cole Martinez on a Honda, they now hold a +5:02.26 advantage with four days remaining.

Dante Oliveira: “Today was a better day for the team and for myself. I felt more comfortable as the terrain got rougher, and I warmed up to the bike. I started well and closed the gap a little bit between the top two. I’m happy with that and will keep pushing to get closer to them. As a team, we’re doing great, so we need to stay strong, keep the bikes in good condition, and take care of ourselves.”

Taylor Robert

Taylor Robert: “It was another good day for Team USA and myself. We have a really solid group of guys, and everyone is riding really well. We may not be winning individually, but having four guys in the top 10 is just amazing for us. I’ve always hoped for that, and we’ve achieved it two days in a row now. Everyone is riding consistently and avoiding major mistakes. I think everyone is having a good time. We’ve overcome the challenges of the first two tough days and are looking forward to new special tests and transfers tomorrow.”

Johnny Girroir

Johnny Girroir: “It was a good day. Actually, it’s been a good couple of days. We’re riding well, consistently, and avoiding many mistakes. It’s a good way to start the week before new transfers and tests tomorrow. We’ll smooth things out a bit, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the week.”

JUNIOR WORLD TROPHY TEAM (JWT)
Mateo Oliveira maintained consistency in the Junior World Trophy division, securing the fourth position on Day 2 and maintaining the same position overall in the category. Grant Davis, riding a KTM 250 XC-F, moved into the top 10 overall with an eighth-place finish, while Kai Aiello on a Husqvarna finished directly behind him in ninth.

Mateo Oliveira

Mateo Oliveira: “Today was much easier than day one. They eliminated some transfers and put us on roads, which allowed me to push harder in the special tests. I performed well in the first test. Tomorrow, we’ll have some fresh tracks, and I just have to keep pushing. I feel very comfortable on the bike now after two days of getting used to it, so I’m excited. Three more challenging days are ahead, and I’m looking forward to keeping up the momentum.”

Grant Davis

Grant Davis: “Today was definitely easier than day one. The transfers were cut, and I think the weather wasn’t as hot with less wind. I also felt more comfortable with the dirt. I rode better, improved my timing, and I’m closing the gap. It’s better than yesterday.”

WOMEN’S WORLD TROPHY TEAM (WWT)
The United States Women’s World Trophy Team is now leading the overall standings after Day 2. Brandy Richards, supported by KTM, secured the top position in the WWT for the second consecutive day. Rachel Gutish on a GASGAS finished second, and Korie Steede on a KTM took fourth place on the day. The U.S. team now holds a +4:26.10 advantage in the Team classification.

Brandy Richards

Brandy Richards: “It was a great day today! The transfers were much better, and the tests were in good shape. They were not super-rough but still challenging. It was also not as hot as yesterday, so it was a much better day. I’m looking forward to some new transfers tomorrow.”

World Trophy Classification (After Day 2 of 6)
1. USA, 5:48:43.29
2. Great Britain, +5:02.26
3. France, +6:47.38
4. Spain, +9:00.12
5. Italy, +10:14.11

Junior World Trophy Classification (After Day 2 of 6)
1. Sweden, 4:26:28.78
2. USA, +7:10.30
3. France, +7:16.25
4. Great Britain, +20:19.67
5. Argentina, +24:30.50

Women’s World Trophy Classification (After Day 2 of 6)
1. USA, 5:04:53.47
2. Australia, +4:26.10
3. FIM LA, +1:00:21.07
4. France, +2:36:04.50
5. Argentina, +4:46:15.62

Motorsport

Santander Closes Accounts Of Customers Who Paid Cash For Cars In Argentina

Santander Bank of Argentina has started closing accounts of customers who purchased new cars with cash during the pandemic. The former Banco Rio entity considers these accounts suspicious despite the fact the AFIP, Argentina’s Administration of Public Income, authorized the transactions and the money originated in accounts held at the bank. 

The affected bank customers recently began contacting Motor1 Argentina, which broke the story. In each instance, the case involved a Santander Bank customer who purchased a new vehicle between 2020 and 2023 using electronic funds transfer. In those cases, the customer first received an alert on their cellphone through the Santander mobile bank app, followed by a formal letter notifying them of their account closure. The notifications indicate that Santander Bank considers these transactions suspicious despite the fact they were carried out using an official Certificate of Legal Funds approved by the AFIP. 

One Santander Bank customer, who bought a new Toyota Hilux in 2020, notified Motor1 Argentina after their account was closed. They had held the account for 20 years and bought the vehicle for five million pesos, the equivalent of $18,570 US dollars, using money from that account validated with a Certificate of Legal Funds. Another customer had their account closed after 25 years because they conducted the transaction online during the pandemic. A third purchased a Jeep Renegade with money from their checking account and had their account closed despite Santander Bank having records of all of their transactions.    

For over two decades, the AFIP has required customers and dealers to present official Certificates of Legal Funds to conduct new car transactions. Cash transactions are carried out using electronic funds transfers as a way to ensure the money is traceable for tax purposes and to avoid any appearance of laundering. Customers of Santander Bank were also encouraged to do business online, which in many cases, was the only option during the pandemic.    

Motor1 Argentina reached out to Banco Santander for confirmation. After 11 days, a spokesperson for the bank responded, stating, “The information published is false and lacks support. In no way are there general account closure procedures for car buyers. Any account closure process is analyzed individually and in accordance with current applicable regulations.”

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U.S. ISDE TEAMS ANNOUNCED FOR ARGENTINA, 2023

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has revealed the riders and teams that will be competing in the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Argentina this fall. The U.S. will be sending a four-man Trophy Team, a three-man Junior Team, and a three-woman Women’s Trophy Team. Additionally, there will be seven three-man club teams representing the U.S. in the competition.



Taylor Robert will be back in action in Argentina.

The U.S. World Trophy Team, which consists of the top riders in the country, will be represented by Taylor Robert, Dante Oliveira, Cole Martinez, and Johnny Girroir. The U.S. Women’s Trophy Team will include Brandy Richards, Rachel Gutish, and Korie Steede. The U.S. Junior Team will be composed of Mateo Oliveira, Kai Aiello, and Grant Davis.

Argentina has proven to be a challenging location for the ISDE in the past, and this year’s event will take place in the same location as the 2014 competition. The U.S. teams have high hopes for success and are determined to perform well in the race.

The U.S. ISDE effort would not be possible without the support of the ISDE Advisory Committee and the event’s sponsors, which include KTM, BI-CON, FMF, Motorex, Rabaconda, Arai Helmets, and Motion Pro.

To learn more about the U.S. ISDE team and keep up with their progress, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/isde/. If you’re interested in traveling and supporting the U.S. team during the competition, you can register at https://form.jotform.com/amatech/2023-ama-isde-registration. The registration deadline is July 10.