Sven Carlsson

WHAKATANE-RAISED motorcycle racer Charlotte Knight has helped New Zealand achieve its best-ever result at the 100th International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), finishing fourth against some of the world’s best riders in Portugal - just nine months after returning to racing.

Now based in the UK, where she works as a senior electrical components engineer for Triumph Motorcycles, Knight earned her place on the New Zealand Women’s Trophy Team after returning to the sport following a seven-year break.

Held in Grândola, Portugal, from October 12 to 17, the 100th edition of the ISDE brought together more than 500 riders from over 30 nations.

Often described as the Olympics of Enduro, the event tests riders’ speed, endurance and mechanical skills across six demanding days.

Knight competed alongside teammates Rachael Archer, a three-time GNCC champion, and 16-year-old Bailey Newbould.

The team finished fourth in the Women’s World Trophy, achieving New Zealand’s best-ever result in the category, behind the United States, Australia and France.

For Knight, lining up alongside some of the world’s top professional riders was an opportunity to learn as much as it was to compete.

Growing up in New Zealand, Knight raced motocross and cross-country before stepping away from competition in 2018 to focus on completing her Mechatronics Engineering degree and building her career.

After moving to the UK and establishing herself at Triumph, she eventually found her way back to Enduro racing.

“I never really thought I’d get to say I was an ISDE finisher, let alone represent New Zealand on the world stage.”

Getting to Portugal took months of preparation, training, fundraising and organising the logistics of competing overseas. Before racing, riders had to walk the special tests on foot, studying the terrain and working out how best to approach each section.

Knight rode her own Triumph TF 250-E, brought over from the UK – the same bike she had raced throughout the year. But getting through six days was about much more than riding quickly.

“The biggest challenge for me wasn’t necessarily the riding itself.

“It was the long days, the unknowns and everything that went into getting yourself and your bike to the finish each day.

“Even at 3am, I’d be awake mentally walking myself through the morning service – how much oil I needed, which tools I needed and what jobs had to be done in what order.

“When you’re doing something for the first time, you don’t always know what you don’t know.

“I had to trust my preparation, take things one step at a time and learn as I went.”

The event was a real test of both rider and machine, with temperatures reaching 32°C and relentless dust taking its toll on bikes throughout the week.

The long days on the trail saw conditions become increasingly rough, putting constant demands on the bikes, with many competitors experiencing mechanical problems or being forced to retire.

Time to work on the bikes was extremely limited, with just 10 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at the end of each day.

Riders were responsible for carrying out their own mechanical work, with service crews only permitted to assist with fluids under the event rules. That meant carefully prioritising servicing and setup adjustments to give the bike the best chance of making it to the finish line each day.

Knight managed her bike preparation throughout the event, changing three tyres over the six days alongside carrying out regular servicing and checks.

With so little time available, knowing what needed attention most – and making sure the bike was ready for another long day on the trail – was just as important as the riding itself.

The event concluded with a beach motocross at Sines, providing a final challenge in unfamiliar sand conditions.

After six demanding days of racing, Knight crossed the finish line to officially become an ISDE finisher – an achievement she had never imagined possible when she first returned to the sport just nine months earlier.

Looking ahead, Knight hopes to build on the experience by finding more speed through the special tests and gaining the confidence to push her limits further.

“I know there’s still more speed in me, and I want to get more comfortable pushing my limits.

“My main goal this time was to get to the finish, but having completed my first ISDE, I’ve got a much better idea of what to expect and where I can improve.

“To represent New Zealand alongside two great teammates and come away with our best-ever result is something I’m really proud of.”

For Knight, the achievement also carries a message for young people back home, particularly girls who might be interested in motorsport or engineering but are unsure where those interests could take them.

“Coming back to racing after seven years away, I never imagined it would lead to representing New Zealand at the ISDE.

“There were plenty of unknowns along the way, but I’m glad I took the leap and gave it a go.

“I’d encourage anyone with a dream or something they’re passionate about to back themselves and chase those dreams.

“You don’t have to know exactly where it’s going to lead – sometimes you just have to take that first step, give it a go and see what happens.

“You never know what’s around the corner,” she said.

“I can officially call myself an ISDE six-days finisher. I never thought I’d get to say that, and I’m incredibly proud that I can.”