King of the Hammers runner-up wins Hell’s Gate Hard Enduro in Italy.
When it comes to the Hell’s Gate Hard Enduro, Bel Ray Husqvarna rider Graham Jarvis knows that the devil is in the details.
The 37-year-old Englishman, who Jarvis, who finished fourth in the 1999 FIM World Trials Championship Series, came prepared for the brutal hard enduro in Tuscany, Italy, and when it was over Jarvis collected his fourth Hell’s Gate victory Saturday, becoming the winningest rider in the 11-year history of the event. Jarvis dominated the 30-rider main event. Fellow Englishman Jonny Walker finished second aboard a KTM, while Beta USA rider and reigning King of the Motos Champion Cody Webb finished third.
Jarvis moved into the lead of the main event halfway through the first lap after getting off to a slow start. He then set a torrid pace in the grueling event, and he held a 5-minute lead just two laps into the five-lap event. After stopping for fuel, he would extend his lead as night fell. On the final lap, just five riders were still in the running, with Jarvis enjoying a huge lead. Not wanting to make a mistake, he was tentative on the final lap, making his way to the dreaded Hell’s Peak, which he crested as a four-time Hell’s Gate winner.
“It’s great to get a fourth win here at Hell’s Gate,” Jarvis said. “I’ve raced here so many times over the years that I know what to expect, but this year’s race was definitely one of the toughest. I was pleased with second in the morning enduro; it gave me a good starting position, and all I wanted to do was get around the first few corners without any mistakes. We went off the start almost directly into a massive water hole. I took it easy there, but it didn’t take too long before I was back into the top three. Andreas Lettenbichler and Cody Webb both made mistakes and then I got around Jonny Walker, and then just put my head down. I moved into the lead about half way around the first lap. I was expecting things to be easier this year with no ice and snow, but the rocks were really slippery. The extra, fifth, lap made it hard. We rode close to two laps in the dark, but apart from a few falls I didn’t have any problems. It’s great to win by a good margin and give Husqvarna their first Hell’s Gate win.”
Hell’s Gate Hard Enduro
Tuscany, Italy
Results: February 15, 2014
Overall
1. Graham Jarvis-Hus
2 Jonny Walker-KTM
3. Cody Webb-Bet
4. Andreas Lettenbichler-KTM
5. Diego Nicoletti-Suz
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