Husaberg mounted Graham Jarvis delivered a triumphant performance at the 2012 edition of The Tough One Extreme Enduro, claiming a well earned and hard fought victory at the UK’s longest running extreme enduro. Dominating the global extreme enduro scene during 2011 in starting the new season with yet another win Jarvis once again showed himself to be a class above all other riders.
Nothing stood in Graham’s way as he battled his way around the technically challenging Nantmawr Quarry course. Although not quite managing to take the holeshot it took Jarvis only a matter of minutes before he’d worked his way into the lead, going on to opening up a commanding advantage by the end of the first lap.
‘Running uphill to your bike is always hard but I think I was the third rider to swing a leg over his bike, and my bike fired up almost straight away so I was well placed,’ explained a thrilled Jarvis after the race. ‘About half way around the first lap I moved into the lead, passing the two riders that were ahead of me on the faster section of the track.
‘You can never underestimate how tough an event like this can be. One small fall can damage your bike and put you out of the event. I was confident of a good result but I didn’t know how things would go. Getting a good start really made things easier.’
For the first time in many years The Tough One ran into the night, with the final 30 minutes of the race proving to be extremely challenging. Although comfortably ahead as darkness fell Graham, like all competitors, found the final stages of the race difficult. Nevertheless he held his position at the front of the race to bring his Husaberg home for a deserved win.
‘Getting to the front quickly really made things easier for me,’ added Graham. ‘I had a clear track ahead of me for a few laps and I could get my head down. I knew that I had a pretty good lead but I didn’t ease off too much. I just kept pushing as hard as I could. When it got dark it was really difficult and although I kept pushing I didn’t feel like I was riding as fast as I should have been. But the main thing was just making sure I got the right lines on the bigger climbs.
‘It was tough towards the end of the race because there were a lot of riders stuck all over the track. Thankfully the last few laps went ok and I didn’t have any problems all race. I guess I was expected to win having had such a great season in 2011 – I’m just thrilled that things have started so well. I’m really enjoying my riding, have a great bike under me and a great team supporting me, so I’m confident we can have another great season this year.’
Pro class Results – The Tough One Extreme Enduro 2012
1. Graham Jarvis (Husaberg) 14 laps; 2, Wayne Braybrook (Sherco) 13 laps; 3. Ben Hemmingway (KTM) 13 laps; 4. Dan Hemmingway (KTM) 12 laps; 5. Melcoir Faja (KTM) 11 laps; 6. Alex Wigg (Gas Gas) 11; 7. Lars Enockl (KTM) 11 laps; 8. Jesus Zavala (KTM) 9 laps; 9. Joao Riberio (AJP) 8 laps; 10. Carsten Stranghoner (Gas Gas) 8 laps
