Cycle News Staff | June 4, 2018
2018 Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scrambles Results – The 24th running of the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scrambles, once again, lured some of the world’s top extreme off-road racers to Austria, June 2-3, and a familiar face stood atop the podium when all was said and done. Great Britain’s Graham Jarvis pulled off his fourth career win in dramatic style, by coming from behind and passing another former Erzberg winner Jonny Walker late in the race. Only 41 seconds separated the two extreme off-road stars at the finish line. It took Jarvis two hours, five minutes and 59 seconds to complete the race.
The race was also round two of the new World Enduro Super Series (WESS).
2018 Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scrambles Results
“It’s always special to win here, but to do it like I did, that ranks as one of my best victories,” Jarvis said. “I had a really bad start getting stuck on the very first climb out of the quarry and I lost so many places. Also, with the dust it was really difficult to overtake on the first couple of sections. It wasn’t until checkpoint 15 that I got up to about sixth, but I knew Carl’s Dinner [boulder garden] would be decisive. I made a lot of time up there.
“When I got to Green Hell I wasn’t quite sure what was happening, but I saw Billy [Bolt] and Manni [Manuel Lettenbichler] stuck. I got up so far and then was able to push the rest. That for me was where the race was won, but with Jonny chasing me home I couldn’t relax until the checkered flag.”
Walker and Manuel Lettenbichler were early contenders for the win before both riders ran into trouple late in the race. Lettenbich ended up third, ahead of Wade Young (Sherco) and Billy Bolt [Husqvarna].
Former AMA EnduroCross Champion Taddy Blazusiak, the early leader, eventually slipped back to eighth.
Of the 500 starters, just 23 riders finished within the four-hour time allotment. One of those riders was American Colton Haaker. He got off to a great start, winning the prologue and having the honor of wearing the number-one plate. He went on to finish 12th in the race which was a career best for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Team rider.
Fellow American Cody Webb (FMF KTM) made the trip to Austria but suffered a crash in the prologue that resulted in multiple injuries. He managed to finish the prologue with a broken foot, finger, and an injured knee, but he did not line up for Sunday’s main race. Rather than head home, however, Webb joined the announcing team for the event and offered commentary on the Red Bull TV live feed.
Webb’s injuries likely also take him out of contention for the third round of the series, Trèfle Lozérien AMV in France, which is only one week away.
2018 Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scrambles Results
RESULTS: June 2-3, 2018
OVERALL
- Graham Jarvis (Hus) 2:05:59
- Jonny Walker (KTM) +00:41
- Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) +03:03
- Wade Young (She) +15:45
- Billy Bolt (Hus) +24:04
- Travis Teasdale (Bet) +32:50
- Paul Bolton (KTM) +33:41
- Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) +35:52
- Pol Tarres (Hus) +48:41
- Mario Roman (She) +52:58
Click here for complete results.
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