A KENDAL biker has been selected to race for the ACU British International Six Days Enduro (IDSE) team at an upcoming European event.

James Dent, aged 21, will travel to Slovakia with his team next month to compete in the competition, the first and longest standing annual competition in the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) racing calendar which dates back to 1913.

"Racing Enduro competitions is not just about the race, before you get to an event the bike has to be well prepared," said James. "You need to be eating the right foods to keep your energy levels up for eight hours of riding.

"The hardest part of riding at this level apart from always being skint is finding good places to practice.

"Probably the best advice I could give anyone wanting to race Enduros is have fun, if you're having fun then the results will come."

The event is hosted each year in a different country and this will be the fifth time in its history that the ISDE is held in Slovakia.

The host city will be the city of Košice and the event runs from September 7-12.

Over 550 riders from up to thirty-five countries each year helps to cement its reputation as the most prestigious event in the racing calendar.

And for Dent, it is a dream come true.

"I’ve always wanted to compete in an ISDE event; it’s classed as the off road Olympics," he said. "Representing the ACU British Junior team and compete against the best riders in the world from different countries is a fantastic opportunity and is the proudest moment in my racing career."

Riders will have to complete over two or three laps each day. On each lap there will be time checks, where each competitor must arrive on their given minute.

Riders are penalised for early or late arrival. Within each lap there are three special tests, (a cross country test, a cross test and an extreme test).

On day six if the rider and bike are still in once piece there is a speed test between riders in their category.

Dent, who began riding motorbikes aged four, explained: "At the end of each day riders have 15 minutes to change their tyres and carry out any maintenance on the bike. It is a real competition of endurance for man and machine. Riders not only have to keep themselves in good shape, but they have to keep their bikes in good shape. At the end of the six days the times are added up and the team with the quickest times win."

Neil Crayston, owner of Triple-D motorsports, which is based on Kendal's Mintsfeet Industrial Estate and is supporting Dent in the race, said: "It is fantastic for a local lad to be chosen to ride in the British team, James is a very talented riders and I’m sure he will do well.

"I know the effort and dedication James has put into his racing and to be rewarded by representing the national team is just fantastic. Triple-D Motorsports are very proud to help support James in this years 2015 ISDE."

You can follow progress on www.fim-isde2015.com or by searching for James Dent Off Road Racing on Facebook.