 GRAHAM
JARVIS WINS ALES TREM EXTREME ENDURO 2017
Graham Jarvis has claimed victory at the 2017 edition of the Ales Trem
Extreme Enduro – his first ever win at the event held in Ales in the south
of France. Finishing on top of the podium at the end of a brutal seven-hour
main race Jarvis placed ahead of Spaniard Mario Roman and South African Wade
Young.
As he has done so many times before Jarvis was in no rush to establish
himself as the rider to beat, completing the first of three laps together
with team-mate Billy Bolt, Jonny Walker, Alfredo Gomez, Mario Roman, Wade
Young and Pierre Pallut. With two hours of racing under his belt Jarvis then
battled against Walker, Roman and Young as event organisers increased the
intensity levels.
Lap three started with rapidly fading light and Jarvis initially giving
chase to Walker. But with Walker taking a wrong turn Jarvis was then joined
by Roman. Working their way towards the finish Jarvis seized his chance to
secure the win under the cover of darkness. Capitalising on a mistake by
Roman, Graham put his experience to good use and in sneaking ahead he went
on to secure a well-deserved win.
In his first international Extreme Enduro event as a member of the
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team Billy Bolt made an impressive
start to the event by placing third in the opening day’s night time
Endurocross style prologue.
In
the main race Billy was well placed among the top seven at the end of the
opening lap. Completing the second lap without problems, the young Brit
frustratingly failed to reach the finish after twice running out of fuel.
Managing to get going the first time, thanks to the support of some of the
event’s amateur riders, with just three kilometres remaining, and in total
darkness, Billy’s race came to a premature end.
Graham Jarvis: “That was such a tough race. It’s great to finally
pick up a win here at Ales Trem, but that has to be one of the hardest days
of racing I’ve done for a long, long time. The first two laps were long
and demanding but it was the extreme stuff that they put in on the third lap
that was the deal breaker. There were two or three places where we had to
get off and push. At one point I wasn’t sure if we were going to get to
the finish. Thankfully, we made it. It was very close at the finish. Mario
rode really well and it could have gone either way. Riding in the dark wasn’t
expected, and certainly made things interesting. It was tough, but awesome
to win.”
Billy Bolt: “As frustrating as it is not to have finished after twice
running out of fuel, I’m pleased with the way I rode. I don't think anyone
expected the race to be as tough as it was, especially the third lap. For
the majority of the race I was battling with the main pack, so I am happy
with that. Together with third in the Prologue there’s plenty to be happy
with. I wasn’t the only one to run out of fuel. Onwards and upwards now
preparing for the next event.”
Results – Ales Trem 2017
1. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna)
2. Mario Roman (Sherco)
3. Wade Young (Sherco)
4. Jonny Walker (KTM)
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