JARVIS, BOLT & GOMEZ HEAD TO ERZBERGRODEO.
ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING LOOKING FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS AT THE IRON GIANT.
Switching back to hard enduro action following their recent classic enduro outing at Trèfle Lozérien in France, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing head to Austria this weekend for the 25th running of the Erzbergrodeo, round three of the World Enduro Super Series.
Landing the team notable success last year when he secured a fourth career victory at the iconic Austrian event, Graham Jarvis will again lead his Rockstar Energy Husqvarna teammates as he looks to equal the all-time win record of five Erzbergrodeo wins.
Knowing well that nothing can be taken for granted at the world’s toughest one-day hard enduro event, Jarvis nevertheless heads into this year’s competition confident of once again stamping his mark on the proceedings. Winning in 2018 having steadily worked his way to the front of the Pro class following a less than spectacular start, Jarvis will again be counting on both his considerable experience and skills to challenge for a record-equalling fifth win.
As one of the stand-out performers in the 2018 event having challenged for the win until just a handful of check points from the finish, Billy Bolt is another Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider hopeful of a strong result. Despite still building his race fitness following his extended off-season lay-off with injury, Bolt unquestionably has what it takes to challenge for victory.
Fit, healthy and a himself past Erzbergrodeo winner, Alfredo Gomez is another rider hoping for success this year. Brimming with confidence and experience as he heads into the 25th running of the event, Gomez showed in 2017 that he has exactly what is needed to conquer the Iron Giant.
Competing alongside Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s WESS regulars at this year’s Erzbergrodeo will be FIM SuperEnduro World Champion Colton Haaker.
The 2019 Erzbergrodeo, round three of the World Enduro Super Series, starts on Friday, May 31st with the event’s first qualifying run. The second qualifying run then takes place on Saturday, June 1st before the main Hare Scramble event kicks off on Sunday, June 2nd.
Graham Jarvis:“I always look forward to racing at Erzberg. I’ve experienced a lot here over the years and I’m sure this year will be as tough as every other year. Obviously, things worked out great last year and to win was amazing. I’ll do everything I can to repeat that this year, and get a fifth win, but I know it’s not going to be easy at all. There are a lot of riders that now have the experience and skills to win, so it’s going to be really exciting. I think the organisers will have a few surprises up their sleeves – they always do – so focusing on the track is going to be so, so important. I have a game plan, but Erzberg is more about reacting to whatever situation you’re in.”
Billy Bolt:“I’m excited to be at Erzbergrodeo. Last year went kind of 90% perfect for me but just the last 10% didn’t work out like I wanted it. It’s difficult to have the same expectations as last year due to my injury and time off the bike, but it’s my favourite race of the year so I am eager to go there and give it all I’ve got. The last two years I’ve learned a lot. I feel I’ve done a lot of things right at Erzberg but also slipped in some small ways, too. I’ve learned from those small mistakes so it’s all moving forward. It’s a race that really suits me well, almost perfectly I’d say, so I feel it’s just a matter of time until I see the result I know I’m capable of getting.”
Alfredo Gomez:“I am really looking forward to it this year. I know that if I have a good day I can win it, as I did in 2017, so I’ll give it all to be at the top again. Karl’s Diner is the key point of the race I think, it’s a good place to make a gap to the following riders if you are in the lead, or even to catch up time if you have someone in front. From there on we will have to see what the organization has prepared for us this year because it’s the 25th anniversary and I am pretty sure that there will be surprises. I learned a couple of things last year from watching the race due to being injured, so I’ll try to use that to my advantage this year.”
Text/Bild: Husqvarna