There was bitter disappointment for both of the Great Britain men's trophy teams at the 100th edition of the International Six Days Enduro in Portugal today (Tuesday).

In two separate Facebook posts issued by the ACU British team, it was stated initially that the Isle of Man’s Jamie McCanney had been forced to retire due to a technical issue with his bike.

Within a short period of time there was further bad news for the team and the hopes of another Manxman, Jack Keenan.

The second post read as follows: 'It’s unbelievable to be writing this, but Team GB can confirm that Jack Keenan has been forced to retire from the 2026 Six Days on day two due to a technical issue.’

Further news came when it was confirmed that one of the women's team members - Nieve Holmes - also had a technical problem.

‘That’s all three Trophy teams out of contention now for Great Britain. We are more than devastated,’ added the team.

Gutted in the first instance that McCanney had been forced out, the management team emphasised that the rest of the combined GB squad would see it through to the end of the event.

Conditions were extremely dry and dusty in the Alentejo region of the country and there were concerns over dust getting into the motors of the machines. Coincidentally, McCanney and Keenan were riding near-identical 450cc Triumphs.

The six-day event had started relatively strongly on Monday for the GB teams.

Nathan Watson was the top British rider in the main Trophy contest, ending the day ninth overall, followed by Brad Freeman in 13th, McCanney 19th and fellow Manxman Jed Etchells on an unfamiliar 350cc Husqvarna four-stroke.

Jack Keenan had been competing in the Junior Trophy before a technical issue also sidelined him (Photo: ACU British ISDE Team)
Jack Keenan had been competing in the Junior Trophy before a technical issue also sidelined him (Photo: ACU British ISDE Team) (ACU British ISDE Team)

Their cumulative times put GB fourth behind Italy, France and Sweden, but significantly in front of Spain.

It was a similar story in the Junior Trophy contest where Italy led from France, USA and Spain, with GB ninth.

Sam Hughes was the best-placed of the three young Brits, with Keenan next (65th overall) and Callum Hughes third.

Three Manx riders are representing Southern MCC in the club team contest. Collectively they were 70th out of 93 teams at the end of day one.

Orry Millward (450 KTM) was best placed with a day one time of 1hr 00min 53.9sec for the tests, followed by Mike Turner (350 KTM) 1:03.31.4 and Gary Flowers (250 Triumph) 1:26.31.4.

The latter two are both aged 60.