Enduro
Josep García lights up Erzbergrodeo prologue with fastest time
The pace of this year’s Erzbergrodeo lit up on day two with Spain’s Josep García charging through to set the fastest time in Friday’s Blakläder Iron Road Prolog.
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With sunshine and clear skies breaking through, it was 2017 Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble winner Alfredo Gómez (Husqvarna) who led the field away. Despite suffering a serious knee injury just three months ago, Gómez couldn’t resist the lure of the legendary race and was determined to make the start. Followed by three-time winner Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) and USA’s Cody Webb (KTM) meant the action was furious and frantic from the off. However, as riders filtered through one by one, it was Erzbergrodeo rookie Josep García who topped the time sheets from 2018 Dakar Rally Champion Matthias Walkner (KTM).
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“That was amazing,” said reigning Enduro 2 World Champion García. “It was awesome to race an enduro bike that fast up a mountain. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I walked the course, it was a bit different than the traditional enduro I’m used to, but was so fun much at the same time.
“This is my first time here at the Erzbergrodeo and I’m loving it. There are so many people and dirt bikes everywhere, it’s crazy. Provisionally holding the number one spot for Sunday’s race is great as it means a front row start.
Travis Teasdale
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“I’m not sure what to expect from the race. Extreme XL Lagares two weeks ago was my first Hard Enduro, so I’m not that experienced in this stuff but I’ll give it my best shot – I want to finish and give it everything I’ve got.”
Rolling out his Dakar Rally winning race bike for the prologue, Walkner showed he meant business. Attacking hard from the off, the Austrian pushed hard to claim a home win on Friday, but ultimately just missed the cut by one second.
I gave that run everything I had
“I was pushing hard and was finding a good rythym with the bigger bike,” said Walkner. Hopefully tomorrow I can go a little quicker and try to get that number one position.”
Putting in his best Iron Road Prolog so far, USA’s Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) completed Friday’s top three.
“That was a lot of fun and also my best run here to date. The course was fast, but very dry and slippery at the same time, so you really had to be precise in your line choices. I’m more than happy with third after that effort.”
“I’m pleased with the ride,” confirmed Błażusiak. “There were a few small mistakes, but nothing too major. My target was top 10 so sitting provisionally in eighth is good enough for now.
One of this year’s hot favourites and current leader in the World Enduro Super Series, Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) was 15th fastest on Friday, while Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) was 17th.
The Erzbergrodeo continues with day two of qualification on Saturday, June 2, where competitors will get a second opportunity to try and claim one of the 500 places available for Sunday’s Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble.
Watch the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble live on Red Bull TV on Sunday June 3 at 2pm CEST (12pm UTC).
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Results – Erzbergrodeo Blakläder Iron Road Prolog, Friday
- Josep García (KTM) 10m 11.02s
- Matthias Walkner (KTM) 10m 12.58s
- Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 10m 14.88s
- Ossi Reisinger (Husqvarna) 10m 20.27s
- Walter Feichtinger (KTM) 10m 24.10s
- Jonny Walker (KTM) 10m 25.60s
- Travis Teasdale (Beta) 10m 25.57s
- Taddy Błażusiak (KTM) 10m 26.81s
- Paul Bolton (KTM) 10m 27.69s
- Cody Webb (KTM) 10m 29.93s
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