VOL. 51 ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 16, 2014 P197
riders need to ride more events
that use the FIM format, like the
Kenda Full Gas Enduro in South
Carolina, which they competed in
just before heading to Argentina.
"I think riding the Full Gas En-
duro was good for us, because
any time you can get more time
under that format, obviously it's
going to help," says Russell.
"You know, I've got the hare
scrambles-type races down pret-
ty good. I can do those with my
eyes closed. But in the Six Days,
you almost have to ride the bike a
little bit different, and you have to
process things a little faster.
"Like motocross, Six Days is
like a bunch of short sprints, and
the Europeans ride that sprint-
type format all the time and we
need to do the same. It's not go-
ing to be easy, it's like if they had
an ISDE using the GNCC format,
then there's not going to be many
countries able to beat the Ameri-
cans. It's just not that easy to
compete with countries and rid-
ers that have been racing a cer-
tain format for so long."
Perhaps the biggest difference
between this year and last year
for Russell is his desire. He has
much more of it this year when it
comes to Six Days than he had
last year.
"In years past, people would
ask me why I didn't give Six
Days a try, or want to represent
the country and I was just in my
own little world," admits Russell.
"And I can't really tell you what's
changed, but I feel I've just grown
as a rider and become more ver-
become a top
his teammates
Argentina.
his versatility.
"I don't like the
feeling of top
American because
it feels like you
separate the team
when you do that."
