Jarvis gives ’em Hell
By TMX Archives on 20th Feb 14
Etching his name in the record books as the worlds best Hard Enduro rider, Husqvarnas Graham Jarvis claimed a dominant victory at Hells Gate in Italy
Riding to an almost start-to -finish win around the tortuous Il Ciocco course in Tuscany, Jarvis eventually scaled the final Hell's Peak climb to notch up his fourth-consecutive victory at Hell's Gate.
Proving that 2014 was one of the toughest events for several years, only two riders made it to the finish line and crossing nearly 22 minutes behind Jarvis, KTM's Jonny Walker finished as a hard-fought runner-up.
"It's great to get a fourth win here at Hell's Gate,” said Jarvis, at the end of the gruelling five-lap event.
"This win makes me the most successful rider ever around here but what makes it special is that it's also Husqvarna's first victory.
"It is a proud moment to stand on the top step of the podium.”
With the morning's qualification race getting things underway at 7am sharp, riders faced a long day in the saddle.
Determined to gain a mental edge over his rivals, Walker immediately set the fastest times in the opening two special tests.
But with Jarvis fighting back to top the final two tests of the morning, Graham reduced his deficit to Walker and ended the qualifier just 16 seconds behind the KTM rider.
Both competitors placed more than 40 seconds clear of third-placed Cody Webb, the American on the factory Beta.
Upholding Italian honour, fellow Beta runner Diego Nicoletti ended his morning run just two seconds behind Webb in fourth, while Germany's Andreas Lettenbichler completed the top five.
A couple of mistakes left Ben Hemingway sixth, with brother Dan a few places back in 12th.
As the start-time for the five-lap race drew near, the 30 qualified riders took to the start line with Walker on pole position.
Getting the jump on everyone, Walker grabbed the holeshot and set about breaking away from the pack – but Jarvis was in no mood to mess about and quickly reeled Walker back in.
Taking control of the race midway through lap one, Jarvis set a pace few could match.
He settled into the race and was six minutes clear of Walker at the end of lap two, and then began to increase his lead as nightfall crept in.
With the final two laps completed in total darkness, he arrived at the foot of the formidable Hell's Peak climb with a comfortable 22-minute cushion over Walker – the only other rider left in the race.
Scaling the near-vertical climb, Jarvis secured his fourth-consecutive race win.
"That was tough,” admitted Jarvis.
"I've raced here so many times over the years that I know what to expect, but this year's race was definitely one of the toughest.
"Straight off the start we were sent into a big water hole.
"I didn't want to do anything stupid so I took it easy until we cleared the mess and then settled into the race.
"Luckily it didn't take too long before I was back into the top three. Andreas Lettenbichler and Cody Webb both made mistakes and then I got around Jonny Walker, and just put my head down.
"I moved into the lead about halfway around the first lap.
"I was expecting things to be easier this year with no ice and snow, but the rocks were really slippery.
"The extra, fifth, lap made it hard. We rode close to two laps in the dark, but apart from a few falls I didn't have any problems.
"It's great to win by a good margin and give Husqvarna their first Hell's Gate win.”
Despite his best efforts, Walker was no match for Jarvis and had to settle for second.
Hoping to force Jarvis into giving chase, the KTM rider struggled, with a catalogue of mistakes on lap one allowing Jarvis to escape with the race lead.
Walker needed to the third lap to finally find his groove but by then it was too late.
Maintaining his deficit to Jarvis, he kept within the allotted 30-minute cut-off period.
With only two riders on the course for the fifth and final lap, Walker gave one last big push over Hell's Peak to finish in second for the third time.
"Despite leading the race from the start I just couldn't settle into it,” said Walker.
"On the first lap I kept making mistake after mistake and wasn't able to ride like I know I should. Graham got past me about halfway round the lap. I stuck with him for a bit but his pace was too strong and he pulled away.
"On the third lap things got a lot better. I picked up my speed and was riding at a faster rhythm.
"Unfortunately Graham was too far ahead to catch him but it was good to know that my riding was better.
"Overall I think the race was harder than before. Rain in the lead-up to the event left the rocks so slippery – you really had to be careful, especially in the dark.
"Although it's my third straight runner-up result I'm pleased to be one of the only two people to finish the race this year.”
With Jarvis setting an unrelenting pace out front, the field of 30 riders was quickly whittled down.
Keeping in touch with the leaders during the first three laps, Webb made it as far as Checkpoint 7 in third place before being forced to call it a day, along with Lettenbichler in fourth.
Reaching Checkpoint 5, Nicoletti was credited as best-placed Italian rider in fifth.
Unable to repeat his fifth-place from 2013, Ben Hemingway was the sixth rider to reach Checkpoint 4.
Ending his race just two places further back, Dan Hemingway made it as far as Checkpoint 3 in eighth.
