Redbull speak to Hard Enduro legend Graham Jarvis ahead of the Red Bull Hare Scramble in Erzberg.
Graham Jarvis might be considered the King of Hard Enduro, but he’s the unluckiest guy when it comes to the Red Bull Hare Scramble in Erzberg. It’s the only race he’s yet to win. Despite being the first rider to cross the finish line on numerous occasions, accidentally missed checkpoints have seen him excluded from the results sheet numerous times.
Will 2013 finally become the year Jarvis beats the Iron Giant? Is this the fourth time lucky for the Silent Assassin? RedBull.com caught up with Jarvis as he prepares for his biggest race of the season…
RB: The Red Bull Hare Scramble – the biggest race of the season is just around the corner. Do you feel ready for it this year?
Graham Jarvis: “I think I’m about as ready as I can be for this race. I’ve been working hard on my bike fitness and just tried to fit in as much riding time as I could. I also raced the King of the Hill Hard Enduro in Romania. It was three days of solid riding. It rained a lot but the training was good with plenty to get stuck into. After that I officially launched my Jarvis Ride Experience School in Piatra Neamt, Romania before flying on to Bulgaria for some riding schools. Overall it’s been good and I’m looking forward to getting back into race mode again.”
JW: “Of course I can. I’ve unofficially done it three times! But in all seriousness I believe I can. I know I’m good enough – it’s just going to be down to luck. If it’s on my side on the day, then I don’t see any reason why I won’t win. I think I’m owed one now.”
RB: As a former trials rider the high speed qualifying prologue is not really up your street. How do you approach this part of the event?
JW: “The prologue is one of my least favoured parts of the event. It’s flat out all the way to the top of the quarry and there are a couple of blind crests that can easily catch you out. You only get one sighting lap so it tough to remember all the lines on the track. Generally, I just try my best to make it onto the front row. Ideally you want to qualify inside the top twenty because each rider is brought down to the start line in single file. The higher up the order you qualify the better choice of grid position you have for Sunday’s race.
RB: What last minute rituals do you run through before the flag drops on the Red Bull Hare Scramble?
JW: “I don’t really have any. I just try to stay focused and keep hydrated. If it’s a hot day, the quarry floor is not a nice place to be. Kitted out in motocross kit it’s easy to sweat without realising it so I keep drinking plenty of fluids. After that there’s not a whole lot else to do but wait. There’s no fuel checks to worry about, no pit crew. It’s just you against the quarry and the five hundred other guys in the race.”
RB: How important is a good start?
JW: “A good start can make a huge difference. I think that’s one of the things I need to improve on this year. I haven’t made life easy on myself lately. Last year I didn’t even make it out of the quarry without crashing. This year my goal is to hit the first few sections inside the top five and take things from there.”
JW: “It has a little bit. Missing those checkpoints are what literally cost me the win. I know now more than ever that I’ve got to ride a smart race. People have said that I should just follow the leader and wait until the end to pass them – but that’s easier said than done. When you’re in the middle of the race all you think about is riding as fast as you can. Sometimes the course is badly marked in places. There may only be one arrow stapled to a tree or a bit of tape here and there. When you’re one of the front guys there’s also not a lot of tracks to follow. I think this year I’ll do my best just to ride smarter and see how that works out.”
RB: What are your favourite sections on the course?
JW: “I love the early hill climbs. They are always good fun. But I think my best section for gaining time is Karl’s Diner. It’s probably one of the toughest sections on the course. My trials skills really help me there and I can pick a line through it better than most. If I need to gain time I think that’s my best place to do it.”
The Red Bull Hare Scramble is the most prestigious race on the Hard Enduro calendar and it’s the only one I haven’t won.
RB: If you do finally win the Red Bull Hare Scramble and beat the Iron Giant, what will it mean to you?
JW: “It means everything to me to win this race. It’s why I keep coming back each year. The Red Bull Hare Scramble is the most prestigious race on the Hard Enduro calendar and it’s the only one I haven’t won. Hopefully, fingers crossed, this year will be my year. Fourth time lucky… right!