Taddy defends Hell's Gate torture test
Only seven of the 80 starters finishNotorious is a word that really doesn't do the annual Hell's Gate extreme enduro in Italy justice.
It's a torture test, and so it was again in Tuscany last weekend, as only six of the original 80 starters completed the two-stage competition over nine hours.
Although it was sunny, the frozen ground in the sixth instalment of Hel's Gate added another difficult dimension to the course, which comprised slow-speed, technical sections and higher speed tracks and trails.
Riders tackled rock faces that defied gravity, achieved impressive balancing acts and closed the competition with the daredevil run up the dreaded Hell's Peak climb.
Polish rider Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) did not escape unscathed, but recovered from his crash in the morning session to win by over eight minutes from brandmate Alessandro Botturi, with moto trials legend Dougie Lampkin (Beta) third.
Blazusiak and Botturi were in arm wrestle all race before the former composed himself on the fourth and final lap of the main event.
The other finishers were Graham Jarvis (Sherco), Tom Sagar (Husaberg) and BMW's Andrea Lettenbichler.
For a video of the 2008 Hell's Gate, click here.
BMW photo: Jonty Edmunds
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