Sven Carlsson

although Whakatane’s Charlotte Knight placed second in the EnduroGB Elite Women Championship, she said the contest was about “trying to find some pace,” not raising her expectations for next week’s Enduro in Portugal.

The British 2026 Enduro season ended with the final rounds held from September 12 to 13.

“It was a long season travelling all over the UK, including Yorkshire, Devon, a couple of venues in Wales and even the Isle of Man, which was an awesome experience,” Knight said.

“All up in the Elite Women’s class we were six competitors, with 12 rounds over six weeks, so there were back-to-back rounds.”

Knight said her schedule was packed during the contest.

“It’s difficult to work full time while also trying to compete to a level against other women that race full time,” she said.

“The competitors included Rosie Rowett, Nieve Holmes and Elizabeth Tett, all of whom have represented team GB at the six-days in recent years, so it was good to compete in the same class to learn and try to find some pace.”

For the upcoming Enduro in Portugal, Knight said her goal was “just to finish”.

“I don’t have any result expectation I just would like to get through the six days and enjoy it,” she said.

“It would be awesome to have the team finish and get a placing.”

Knight 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 17.

Knight grew up in the Thornton area and raced motocross and cross-country in 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.”

More than 500 riders representing more than 30 nations will begin arriving in Portugal on October 8 for administrative control and training for the race that will run over 1500km of demanding terrain featuring cork forests, sandy tracks, and Atlantic coastline paths.

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.

“You can follow my six-day adventure via the Charlotte Knight Racing Facebook profile,” Knight said.

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 placed in Grândola and the Alentejo region from October 12-17.