Sven Carlsson

WHAKATĀNE’S Charlotte Knight is adding international racing to her UK-based motorcycle career.

Knight, who works as an electronics and suspension engineer for Triumph Motorcycles, is about to race for New Zealand on the world stage.

She has been selected for the 2026 New Zealand Women’s Trophy Team for the International Six Days Enduro in Portugal, alongside Rachael Archer and Bailey Newbould.

The six-day off-road motorcycle event will be held in Grândola from October 12 to October 17.

Knight grew up rurally in Thornton and raced motocross and cross-country all over the North Island throughout her high-school years.

“In 2019, I moved to Christchurch to study mechatronics engineering, which is when I stepped away from racing and wasn’t sure if or when I’d return,” she said.

“After graduating in 2022, I moved to the UK for work and I am now a senior electrical engineer at Triumph Motorcycles, working in motorcycle electronics and suspension systems.”

Although not racing during this time, Knight stayed closely connected to the sport and in 2024 travelled to Spain to support New Zealand teammate Archer at the International Six Days Enduro.

“I returned again in 2025 in Italy to assist the New Zealand team, which gave me a real insight into just how demanding and unique the event is,” she said.

“Being involved with Team New Zealand over the past two years definitely made me wonder whether it was something I could set my sights on.”

That goal has now materialised and Knight is prepared.

“I have been competing in the British Enduro Championship and other UK-based events to build race fitness and experience,” she said.

“Many of the riders I’ll be competing against at ISDE regularly race at world EnduroGP level, so the British series has been an important step in preparing for that level of competition.”

Knight said the ISDE was one of the toughest motorcycle events in the world – six consecutive days of racing, riders completing their own bike maintenance, and an extreme test of endurance, consistency, and resilience.

“For me, representing New Zealand is something I’m incredibly proud of, not just in sport but in my everyday life living overseas,” she said.

“Wearing the silver fern and representing Whakatāne and New Zealand on the world stage means a lot.”

The Kiwis will also bring a junior trophy team and a junior development team with them to the event, “trying to build experience for years to come”.

“We’re looking for personal and team sponsors,” Knight said.

“It’s a massive cost and almost entirely self-funded this year.”

People interested in sponsoring the team can contact them via the [email protected] email address.

Follow Charlotte’s adventure via the Charlotte Knight Racing Facebook page.

International six-day enduro

THE history of the event begins in 1913 in Carlisle, England, when it was originally called the International Six Days Trial.

Riders tackle hundreds of miles of off-road trails, daily special tests and strict maintenance schedules.

Countries field national teams to compete for the prestigious World Trophy, Junior Trophy and Women’s World Cup.

More than 350 competitors from dozens of nations compete alongside the pros for the Club Team Award.

The historic 100th-anniversary edition takes place in Grândola and the Alentejo region from October 12-17.