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Jarvis from Walker as Brits top Erzberg

Riding a fast yet calculated race, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Graham Jarvis has won the 2018 Erzbergrodeo Hare Scramble, round two of the 2018 World Enduro Super Series. Fellow Briton Jonny Walker took a stunning second place on his KTM to stay in the lead of the series. Early leader Billy Bolt placed a courageous fifth. The trio of Brits are the top three in the new WESS championship.

Reinforcing his reputation as the best hard enduro rider of all time, Jarvis paced himself perfectly throughout the gruelling race to arrive at the finish 41 seconds ahead of Jonny Walker. Starting off in his usual steady style, the 43-year-old soon began to pick off the competition, eventually taking the lead at around one-hour and 45-minute mark at the unbelievably challenging climb named Green Hell.

From there Jarvis never looked back, the subsequent obstacles offering no major challenges. Despite a late charge from eventual runner-up Walker, Jarvis crossed the line in front and secured his fourth victory at the event.

Early leader Billy Bolt rode a brave race, ultimately finishing in a strong fifth position to claim important World Enduro Super Series points in the process. The young Brit was the second rider to arrive at the treacherous Green Hell section, but after offering help to a fellow competitor Billy expended a little too much energy with a small mistake dropping him back down to the bottom of the hill. Finally clearing the obstacle, the XL Lagares winner carried on successfully to the finish – arriving exhausted but in good spirits. Bolt now lies equal second in the WESS Championship standings, tied with team-mate Jarvis.

Jarvis beat the lot at the super-tough Erzberg

Graham Jarvis: “I can’t believe it, I am so happy to take the win. I started off pretty steady and as the dust was so bad it was a little dangerous to push on too much. After a few difficult hills I started to get into more of a rhythm and I was feeling good as I came into Carl’s Dinner. As I started to catch the guys in front I knew that I had a chance to take the win. Green Hell was tough, I would have liked to have ridden a little further up as I had to push quite a lot. I just hung on, despite cramping up in my arms. To cross the finish line first feels amazing.”

Billy Bolt: “That was such a tough race, I am happy with fifth but feel I could have done more. The beginning of the race went really well, I was feeling good and made up a lot of time on the others. I got to the Green Hell section but my arms were so dead by that point I knew I would struggle to get up there on my own. I helped Manni first and then came back for my own bike. I think I pushed to hard too early and had nothing left towards the end. I’ll definitely learn from the experience and come back stronger next year.”

Quickly overcoming a poor start, Jonny Walker soon moved into the second-place position early in the race. A small mistake in the first forest section cost the Brit some time but he held on to third as the race took riders into the more treacherous sections of the track.

At the section known as Green Hell, Jonny arrived in fourth place, but in battling his way up the steep slope on his own he was able to pass two of the riders ahead of him and set about chasing the race leader. Despite pushing hard during the final 15 minutes and clawing back valuable seconds, Jonny couldn’t quite take the win, ultimately crossing the line second, a mere 41 seconds behind winner Graham Jarvis.

Jonny Walker: “That was a tough race but I am happy to finish second and take the lead in the WESS standings. I didn’t get the best of starts and lost a bit of time in the dust. Taddy made a mistake and I got out in front, but then Manni and Billy passed me on a hill when I messed up a little. Their speed was way too quick and I knew I had to pace myself. Carl’s Dinner was tiring, but I kept things steady and tried to minimise any mistakes. I managed to clear Green Hell ok and came out of there in second. The rest of the race from then on was less tricky and I pushed on as hard as I could but couldn’t quite catch Graham before the finish. I’m happy with second and it’s good for the championship but it would have been nice to take the win.”

Results – World Enduro Super Series, Round 2, Erzbergrodeo Hare Scramble

1. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 2:05:59
2. Jonny Walker (KTM) +0:41 
3. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) +3:03
4. Wade Young (Sherco) +15:45
5. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) +24:04
6. Travis Teasdale (Beta) +32:50
12. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) +53:34

Standings – World Enduro Super Series (After round 2 of 8)

1. Jonny Walker (KTM – GB) 1700 points
2. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna – GB) 1610pts
3. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna – GB) 1610pts
4. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM – GER) 1540pts
5. Wade Young (Sherco – RSA) 1220pts
6. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM – POL) 1180pts
7. Travis Teasdale (Beta – RSA) 1030pts
8. Paul Bolton (KTM – GB) 1020pts
9. Pol Tarres (Husqvarna – ESP) 890pts
10. Blake Gutzeit (Yamaha – RSA) 760pts

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