We look ahead to the King of the Hill Tournament in Romania this weekend.
Husaberg’s Graham Jarvis heads the list of riders all hoping to make their mark in the event. Marking the first major event on the Romanian Hard Enduro calendar, the three-day race in Ghioroc, Arad is set to be a cracker.
Securing a dominant double win at The Tough One in Britain and Hell’s Gate in Italy, Jarvis enters Romania as the rider to beat. As the defending champion of the Red Bull Romaniacs, Jarvis is no slouch on Romanian soil and is determined to use this race as a winning shakedown to the Romaniacs in July.
But with an expected entry of almost 350 competitors – featuring some of the world’s best hard enduro riders – he’s assured of a tough fight if he wishes to take home the top prize. Topping the list of challengers eager to steal his thunder are Chris Birch (KTM), Paul Bolton (KTM) and Wade Young (Husaberg).
Like Jarvis, Birch is no stranger to tasting success in Romania. Also a former winner of the Romaniacs, Birch excels on the traditional hard days racing that this event will bring. With the King of the Hill Tournament marking the first time that Jarvis and Birch will met in 2013, the KTM rider is keen to take victory and gain a mental advantage over his rival ahead of their Romaniacs showdown.
Adding spice to the line up is Britain’s Paul Bolton (KTM). Bolton favours the tough slog of riding that Romania is famous for. Following his fourth place result at The Tough One in January, the Brit has worked hard to improve both his speed and technical ability. Claiming a stunning Enduro 1 class win at the opening round of the British Enduro Championship in Scotland clearly suggests ‘Bolts’ is ready for business in Ghioroc.
Of the top contenders in Romania, Wade Young’s form is the hardest to predict. As the 2012 Roof of Africa winner, the 16-year old has skills to rival that of his peers. But having only sampled his first taste of mud riding at The Tough One, the South African still has much to learn. However, Young too has working hard behind the scenes and after claiming a well-earned victory at the recent snow covered Wiesel-X in Germany, the Husaberg rider is learning fast.
With additional riders like Spain’s Melcior Faja (KTM) and Germany’s Marcus Kehr (KTM) also expected to feature heavily the battle for supremacy won’t be easy.
The King of the Hill Tournament takes place in Ghioroc, Arad, Romania from April 5-7.