Jarvis secures 2013 Hell’s Gate win
Graham Jarvis has become the most successful rider ever at the infamous 'Hell’s Gate' Hard Enduro event. Delivering a dominant performance to secure victory at the 10th running of the race, Jarvis notched up a third consecutive win finishing comfortably ahead of Jonny Walker with Cody Webb third.
For the first time in the 10-year history of the event the Italian mountains were covered in deep snow, something that provided riders with additional challenges. With the course eased a little due to the adverse conditions the four lap main race ended with Husaberg the only manufacturer to see two of its riders make it to the top of Hell’s Peak – the arduous final climb of the race.
Placing second in the morning’s qualifying event Jarvis finished just 15 seconds behind winner Jonny Walker, ensuring a front row position for the all-important main event. Doing his best to preserve his energy, Jarvis managed to post the fastest time on the third and final special test. With thick snow covering much of the course the morning race proved to be anything but easy.
Graham Jarvis
VIDEO: Graham Jarvis conquers Hell's Gate
Intent on remaining behind Walker during the opening lap of the main event Jarvis found himself leading the race a little sooner than he’d hoped. Forced to carve a line through the snow in numerous sections of the course, Jarvis was nevertheless able to power his way up the many rocky river beds and in doing so instantly started to pull away from his rivals.
“I was happy to follow Jonny from the start of the main race,” explained Graham shortly after his podium celebrations. “I was riding behind him ok and in no hurry to pass him, but he made a mistake and I went to the front of the race. It was hard because I was putting in the line in the snow. The rivers were surprisingly grippy, which is where I think I managed to make my time. In the snow you just had to try and keep things in a straight line, you couldn’t push hard at all.”
Jonny Walker
Initially a five-lap race the organiser’s decision to reduce it to four laps was met by relief from the competitors. Continuing to push hard Jarvis held a commanding lead at the end of the second lap, stopping briefly to refuel before once again attacking the course. Crashing just once, Jarvis, who earlier this year topped The Tough One, maintained his relentless pace to start the final lap all but assured of the win.
With darkness beginning to fall as Graham arrived at the base of the final climb it took two attempts for the Husaberg TE 300 mounted rider to get close to the half way point of the climb. Pushed, pulled, and dragged upwards by the enthusiastic group of spectators gathered close to the finish, Jarvis finally reached the end of the race 12 minutes ahead of second placed Walker and clearly overjoyed to have claimed yet another Hell’s Gate win.
Cody Webb
“It’s an incredible feeling to have won at Hell’s Gate for the third time. I really wasn’t expecting it and because of the conditions I didn’t know how things would work out, or how the other riders would do. Once I got into the lead everything went really well. The morning race was quite hard. The snow meant that some of the easier sections of the track from previous years were really tough, it also meant that I used a bit more energy than I hoped to. Jonny Walker was fast, like I expected him to be, but finishing second and not too far behind was good."
"I had two goes at the final hill and didn’t even get anywhere near half way. I was screaming to the spectators to start pulling me because I’ve lost the race on the last hill before. It seemed to take forever to get to the top but once I got a rope on my bike I knew I was safe. It’s a great achievement to have three wins, but I hope I can add to that. I’ve really enjoyed the race this year and will be back next year.” (source: husaberg)
STORY: Runner up result for Walker at Hell's Gate
IG.G-STORY: Cody Webb – der lachende Dritte (german)
VIDEO: Lars Enoeckl – Special Test
LINK: Husaberg