Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Graham Jarvis took second at the Hixpania Hard enduro in Spain, with his team-mate Mario Roman third. KTM’s Alfredo Gomez took the win in what is a new addition to the Hard Enduro calendar.
Competing in the three-day event in northern Spain, Husqvarna duo of Jarvis and Roman secured winning results during the first two days of racing before finishing on the overall podium at the end of day three as Gomez came through.
Entering the race following his victory at the GetzenRodeo the previous weekend, Jarvis was focused on claiming the top step of the podium once more. Battling his way through heavy rain during the first day of competition he put his Husqvarna TE 300 in front with victory in the urban endurocross night race.
Facing a 60-kilometre long enduro on day two, Jarvis again featured heavily at the sharp end of the results as he delivered a relaxed ride for third and an all-important front row start for Sunday’s main event.
Despite getting caught in traffic during the start of day three’s race, he quickly worked his way forward. But damaging his exhaust pipe on a rock forced him to pit for repairs at the end of lap one.
Losing eight minutes during repairs to the damage, Jarvis worked overtime to recover. Posting the fastest laps during the end of the race he fought his way back to an eventual runner-up result.
Jarvis said: “I’m a little disappointed not to win but I gave it my best shot despite a major problem on lap one of the main race. I didn’t get a great start, Le Mans starts never really suit me, but I quickly made up the places I lost until about midway around the opening lap.
“Then I hit my exhaust on a rock. I had to stop and make repairs and that cost me about eight minutes. It was always going to be hard to win after that. At about the halfway mark I got up to second but Alfredo Gomez was too far in front. Overall, it’s been an enjoyable weekend’s racing, the organisers did a great job with everything for their first time.”
Winner Gomez said: “Winning this race is incredible. It’s my home race, so many people came here to watch me, and to give them a Spanish victory is fantastic. I’m so happy right now. The whole weekend has been really good. I rode well on both Friday and Saturday but in the back of my mind I wanted to save something for today and win when it really counted.
“I got to my bike okay in the Le Mans style start and exited the cave fourth or fifth. Then after the first big climb I got into the lead and pretty much rode at the front for the entire race. On lap two I found out that Graham (Jarvis) had a problem with his bike and it gave me a big lead. But I had to keep pushing hard until the end because you never know with Graham. It’s been a great first edition of the Hixpania Hard Enduro.”
Results – Hixpania Hard Enduro
1 Alfredo Gomez (KTM)
2 Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna)
3 Mario Roman (Husqvarna)
