Graham Jarvis has claimed a commanding victory at the 2014 edition of the GetzenRodeo in Germany. The event, which this year was also the final round of the Extreme Enduro European Cup, attracted an international line-up of extreme enduro racers who battled it out in front of many thousands of spectators.
Split into a two-part event, a two-hour qualifying race started the proceedings. With the top 12 moving through into the ‘Champ Race’ of the Bel-Ray Husqvarna Factory Racing team it was Alfredo Gomez – winner of the recent Extreme Lagares in Portugal – who faired best. With the Spaniard finishing third behind Britain’s Jonny Walker and Germany’s Andreas Lettenbichler, Jarvis placed three minutes behind in fourth.
The five-lap ‘Champ’ race didn’t start well for Jarvis, who missed the jump as the starter’s flag dropped. Ending the opening lap second behind Walker, Graham soon moved to the front and was never headed. Setting the fastest lap of the race he completed the five laps in just over one-hour and claimed victory with a winning margin of seven minutes.
For Alfredo Gomez the main race started with a fall. Wanting to secure a podium result he closed to within just a few bike lengths of third placed Andreas Lettenbichler during the penultimate lap, but was unable to move ahead of the German. Alfredo would finish fourth.
See also: Watch the awesome GoPro footage of Graham Jarvis at Getzen Rodeo
“Everything went really well in the main five-lap race,” said Jarvis. “I tried to set off in neutral, which wasn’t a good idea and lost a few places, but I got passed a few riders really quickly. Then I battled my way in front of Letti and caught up with Jonny. We had a little bit of a battle but I managed to get away. After that I didn’t do a lot wrong, things worked out great. The morning race was good, but I eased off after an hour to save some energy for the afternoon race. It was good, a little bit frantic on the first lap, but good. I got away quickest but made a few mistakes and decided to use my time out on the track to look at different lines. All in all it’s bee a fantastic event, with a really good track and a massive number of spectators.”
Alfredo Gomez commented: “I made many mistake during both races, like crashing in the third corner of the main race. It was very difficult for me to find the good lines. Sometimes it comes easy, but not today. I did catch Letti during the last two laps of the main race but on the final lap he pulled away from me. I’m a little disappointed not to finish on the podium, especially after winning at Extreme Lagares, but this is racing. It’s been a great event, so I’m pleased I got to race here.”
GetzenRodeo 2014 results
Getzen Champ (main event)
1. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 5 laps; 2. Jonny Walker (KTM) +7:03.962; 3. Andreas Lettenbichler (KTM) +10:13:865; 4. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) +11:30.858; 5. Ben Hemingway (Beta) +22:56.432; 6. Phillips Scholz (KTM) +24:21.290…
Getzen Race (qualifying)
1. Jonny Walker (KTM) 11 laps; 2. Andreas Lettenbichler (KTM) 11 laps; 3. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 10 laps; 4. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 10 laps; 5. Marcus Kehr (Sherco) 10 laps; 6. Phillips Scholz (KTM) 9 laps…
