Rider Camp Yamaha’s Jess Gardiner will head into this weekend’s penultimate round of the Championnat de France d’enduro, which takes place at Réquista, a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France, quietly confident of another solid result.

The 24-year-old enters the fourth round of the championship with 120-points on the board, eighteen points clear from second place rider in the championship.

Gardiner, who was part of the Australian Women’s Trophy team in the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) which took out their fifth straight championship, did unfortunately break her right finger after she hit the inside of a stake hard on the angle. Gardiner has had her finger fixed since the ISDE.

This weekend will see the former three times Australian Off-Road champion race with a plate and five screws which has made it stronger. On top of that, the surgeon has added extra stitches which will make sure her finger doesn’t open up.

“My finger is going ok, but not the best,” explained Gardiner, whose finger is slowly moving a bit more every day.

IMAGE: Mastorgne Photography

Gardiner is on the verge to possibly be the first Australian rider to win the Championnat de France d’enduro, which is why her goal this weekend is to get to the finish line both days and take minimal risks.

Gardiner, who has been undefeated thus far in this year’s championship explained that it’s important for her finger to keep strong as possible as it’s been only a week and a half since her surgery.

“I can’t thank everyone around me and the surgeon’s crew and the Rider Camp Yamaha team for helping me prepare and get everything in shape for the best preparation as possible.”

Gardiner does have one card up her sleeve heading into this weekend’s round. That is she has raced in the town of Réquista, which was back in 2015 in the FIM Women’s Enduro World Cup that saw Gardiner taking a 3-2 result.

“The weather is a bit up and down with rain on and off here, so I will be careful over the weekend to look after my finger. My main objective is to make sure I collect some valuable points for the overall championship.

I’ll definitely be riding well within myself to make sure I don’t fall, as the last thing I want to do is hurt my finger again,” concluded Gardiner.

To follow live timing for this weekend’s fourth round of the Championnat de France d’enduro, head to www.enduro-france.fr/chrono/.

Championnat de France d’enduro championship standings (top 5) – After 3 rounds:

1^st Jess Gardiner 120

2^nd Samantha Tichet102

3^rd Juliette Berrez 90

4^th Valerie Roche 76

5^th Justine Martel 68