Walker wins Erzberg, Jarvis second

In-form UK rider Jonny Walker (KTM) has conquered Austria’s notorious Erzberg Enduro in sublime fashion, winning in a canter by over 13 minutes from countryman and defending champion Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna).

Billed as the ultimate extreme event, the Red Bull Hare Scramble sees 500 starters attempt to complete the mind-blowingly difficult Extreme Enduro track up and down Erzberg, where iron ore has been mined for centuries.

It was the 20th annual staging of the event, and Walker got a near perfect start on his 300 EXC two-stroke machine and literally never looked back as he charged up the mountain and over and through obstacles that had other riders dazed and confused.

“I can’t complain. I had a perfect race. I wanted to get a good start and battle for the win and I managed to get a break. It feels awesome to have won like that,” said Walker.

Meanwhile, Jarvis was followed home in third place by German Andreas Lettenbichler (KTM), with Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna), Paul Bolton (KTM) and former multiple world trials champion Dougie Lampkin (KTM) completing the top six.

“To be honest my chance of winning ended on the very first hill out of the quarry floor,” said Jarvis. “I came off the line quite well but got boxed out going into the first corner. When I came to the first climb a few riders crashed in front of me and I then crashed trying to get around them.

“I had to take a second run at the climb. That put me behind straight away and it was an uphill battle from there. The pace was pretty high and it was tough to fight back.”

Results: Red Bull Hare Scramble 2014
1. Jonny Walker (KTM) 1:37:38; 2. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 1:50:50; 3. Andreas Lettenbichler (KTM) 1:53:01; 4. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 1:53:53; 5. Paul Bolton (KTM) 1:55:21; 6. Dougie Lampkin (KTM) 2:05:31; 7. Cory Graffunder (Husqvarna) 2:05:51; 8. Ben Hemingway (Beta) 2:18:01; 9. Taylor Robert (KTM) 2:19:24; 10. Cody Webb (Beta) 2:20:06