Motorcycling New Zealand is proud to announce the New Zealand team selected to represent the country at the 2026 FIM International Six Days Enduro, taking place in Grândola, Portugal, from 12–17 October 2026.
Known as the “Olympics of Motorcycling”, the ISDE brings together the world’s best enduro riders for six demanding days of racing, testing speed, endurance, consistency, mechanical skill and national pride. The 2026 event marks the 100th edition of the ISDE, one of the most iconic events in international motorcycling.
New Zealand will head to Portugal with a strong and exciting line-up across the Women’s Trophy Team, Junior Trophy Team, Junior Development Club Team and Club Team categories. This team announcement continues the momentum Motorcycling New Zealand has built through recent ISDE campaigns, with a clear long-term focus on developing young Kiwi enduro talent.
Team New Zealand’s lead rider in the Women’s Trophy Team, Rachael Archer in action during the FIM International Six Day Enduro 98th Edition staged at Silleda-Galicia, Spain, 15 October, 2024. Photo: MNZ/Future7Media
New Zealand’s Women’s Trophy Team will be led by standout international rider Rachael Archer from the Waikato, who returns to the ISDE stage with her sights firmly set on winning the women’s overall. Archer has already proven herself as one of the world’s best, finishing second overall in the Women’s individual results at the 2024 ISDE in Spain, where New Zealand made its historic debut in the Women’s World Trophy class. She is also a multiple-GNCC WXC (Women’s Cross Country) Champion in the United States and one of New Zealand’s most accomplished off-road motorcycle exports.
After recently becoming a mum, Archer’s return to international competition adds another powerful chapter to an already remarkable career. Her determination, international experience and proven pace make her one of the riders to watch heading into Portugal.
Archer will be joined by Charlotte Knight, originally of Whakatāne and now UK-based working as a mechatronics engineer for Triumph motorcycles, and Bailey Newbould, of South Wairarapa, one of New Zealand’s exciting young female talents at just 15 years of age. Together, the team represents a strong mix of international experience, race craft and emerging talent.
2026 New Zealand Women’s Trophy Team
• Rachael Archer – Waikato/Australia based
• Charlotte Knight – Whakatāne/UK-based
• Bailey Newbould – South Wairarapa
Fifteen-year-old Bailey Newbould, of Wairarapa, will turn 16 just weeks before representing New Zealand in the Women’s Trophy Team at the FIM International Six Days’ Enduro 100th Edition, to be held at Grândola, Portugal, from 12–17 October 2026. Photo: MNZ
Team New Zealand’s Blake Affleck will represent New Zealand again in the Junior Men’s Trophy Team, at the FIM International Six Day Enduro 100th Edition, to be held at Grândola, Portugal, from 12–17 October 2026. Photo: MNZ/Future7Media
The Junior Trophy Team reflects New Zealand’s continued investment in the next generation of international enduro riders. Leading the charge is Bailey Basalaj, of Nelson, the 2025 New Zealand Enduro Champion and one of the country’s most in-form young riders. Basalaj has continued to show impressive speed, consistency and maturity across national competition, making him a strong addition to the Junior Trophy Team. Basalaj is competing in the 2026 FIM EnduroGP World Championship in the later part of the season as part of his build up to this year’s ISDE.
Basalaj will be joined by Blake Affleck, of Owaka, who finished second overall behind Basalaj in the 2025 New Zealand Enduro Championship. Affleck has also shown his outright pace on the national stage, including winning both the sprint and long-loop phases at the final round of the championship and was in the 2025 ISDE team.
Completing the Junior Trophy Team is Ashton Whyte from Paeroa, a talented young rider with valuable international hard enduro experience. Whyte competed at Red Bull Romaniacs in 2023, giving him experience in one of the world’s toughest off-road events.
2026 New Zealand Junior Trophy Team
• Bailey Basalaj – Nelson
• Blake Affleck – Owaka/Catlins
• Ashton Whyte – Paeroa
The Junior Development Club Team forms an important part of New Zealand’s long-term ISDE pathway, giving emerging riders exposure to the demands of international six-day competition. The 2026 line-up includes Thomas Easton, of Rakaia, Ethan Jameson, of Whangamatā, Jayden McAloon, of Ōtorohanga, and Dylan Huddleston, of Cheviot. Easton and Huddleston competed in the 2025 ISDE, and Jameson also brings valuable international hard-enduro experience, having competed at Red Bull Romaniacs.
This team continues New Zealand’s commitment to building future Trophy Team riders by giving young competitors the opportunity to gain international race experience, understand the demands of ISDE competition, and develop within a national team environment.
2026 New Zealand Junior Development Club Team
• Thomas Easton – Rakaia
• Ethan Jameson – Whangamatā
• Jayden McAloon – Ōtorohanga
• Dylan Huddleston – Cheviot
New Zealand will also be represented in the Club Team category by Liam Ellis, of Rotorua, and James Purdie, of Christchurch. The Club category remains an important part of New Zealand’s ISDE presence, providing riders with the opportunity to compete on the world stage, gain valuable international experience and contribute to the wider Team New Zealand campaign.
2026 New Zealand Club Team Riders
• Liam Ellis – Rotorua
• James Purdie – Christchurch
Taking a New Zealand team to the ISDE is a major undertaking. The cost of international travel, accommodation, bike rental, or freight, race service, entry fees, licences, insurance, team uniforms, logistics, support crew and race-week operations places a significant financial burden on riders and the wider team.
With a 12-rider campaign heading to Europe for the 100th edition, the total cost will run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and every rider is working hard to raise the funds needed to get to the start line.
Team Manager Kylie Dorr says the 2026 campaign is about far more than one event.
“This is the 100th edition of the ISDE, so it is a huge moment for the sport and for New Zealand,” Dorr explains. “We are taking a team with real international potential, but we are also continuing to build a pathway for young riders who can carry New Zealand enduro forward for years to come.”
Dorr said riders like Rachael Archer had already shown the world what Kiwi riders were capable of.
“To have her return with her sights set on winning the women’s overall is incredibly exciting,” Dorr offers. “At the same time, we have a strong group of junior riders who are gaining the experience needed to become future Trophy Team contenders. The challenge now is funding. These riders are representing New Zealand on the world stage, and sponsorship support will make a genuine difference.”
Motorcycling New Zealand and ISDE Team New Zealand are calling on businesses, supporters and the wider motorcycling community to get behind the campaign. The 100th edition of the ISDE is a rare opportunity for New Zealand to showcase its riders, its resilience and its growing enduro pathway on one of the biggest stages in world motorcycling.
