Gallegos rides for Team USA

Photo courtesy of Gallegos family Pictured left to right are Brandy Richards, Rachel Gutish, and Monte Vista’s Britney Gallegos, who will be representing the United States at the International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) in Italy.

Monte Vista woman taking part in world-renowned ISDE

MONTE VISTA — Monte Vista’s Britney Gallegos is in Italy for the International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE). The 28-year-old is a part of a team that is representing the USA in Italy.

Team USA won the ISDE World Trophy and the ISDE Women's Trophy in 2019 but was unable to defend the titles in 2020 as the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Team USA's junior team placed second in 2019.

“This has been a dream of mine, and I have been chasing this race, for as long as I have known about it,” Gallegos said.

An enduro motorcycle is an off-road racing motorcycle used in enduros, which are long-distance cross-country time trial competitions. Enduro motorcycles closely resemble motocross motorcycles.

“I have been racing since I was about 6 years old, so roughly about 20 years," Gallegos said. "My dad (Louis) got me into racing, he used to race professionally and when I was old enough to get on a dirt bike around 4 years old, it just all took off and I started racing.”

ISDE is the oldest “off-road” motorcycle event on the International Motorcycling Federation (IMF) calendar. The event is intense, consisting of 8 hours of racing per day for six days straight. Participants are given required routes, with timed tests that they must meet along the routes.

ISDE began in 1913 as the World Trophy for teams consisting of three riders who had to use bikes manufactured in their own countries, according to the ISDE website. Later, the famous Silver Vase Trophy was introduced. This Trophy was competed for by groups of four riders and, unlike the World Trophy, the riders were allowed to ride motorcycles from anywhere in the world.

In the early 80s, the name of the event was changed from International Six Days of Trials to International Six Days of Enduro. In 1985, the Junior Trophy, exclusively for riders up to the age of 23, was renamed the Silver Vase. The World Trophy took on its current configuration, with teams of six members, free to choose their own bikes.

In 2007, the Women’s Trophy for teams of three riders was introduced. Today, in addition to the World Trophy, the Junior Trophy, and the Women’s Trophy, there is also Club Trophy for three-member teams representing their clubs.

Gallegos had a win in the National Hare and Hound Championship held last year.

"I feel this win is what really got me recognized and helped me get here to Italy this year," she said.

Gallegos said that she was one of the women that were chosen based on her finishes in previous races, and her racing abilities.

Gallegos is excited to be in Italy representing Team USA. Gallegos said her mother is an enormous influence in her racing.

"My mother always let me do what I needed to do with my dad and allowed me to be with him in order to participate in my racing,” Gallegos said.

Louis Gallegos is proud of his daughter for going as far as she has gone.

“She really wanted this, she went after it, and she's doing it," he said.

Louis Gallegos said that he and his daughter have been racing together for years, and he hopes she wins.

"She has the spirit for it and has really pushed herself out of her comfort zone to do this,” Louis Gallegos said.

ISDE began Aug. 30 and concludes Sept. 4 in Italy.

Britney Gallegos thanked everyone who has supported her, especially her parents.


Video News