TRUE BRITS
By TMX Archives on 15th Jun 12
It was an all-British affair on the podium at the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble in Austria, as Jonny Walker, Dougie Lampkin, Ben Hemingway and Paul Bolton claimed the top four positions at the 18th edition of the toughest single-day race in the world.Marking his second appearance at the race known as the Iron Giant, KTMs young gun Jonny Walker led home the 1,800-strong field of riders.
Repeating his 2011 result, Gas Gas factory rider Dougie Lampkin followed him home for second while Doug's cousin Ben Hemingway recorded his best-ever finish to place third.
Capping off a British domination of the race, Lancastrian Paul Bolton battled his way to the end to secure fourth.
With Ben's brother Dan Hemingway becoming the seventh and final finisher of the gruelling race, Britain scored five out seven finishers in Erzberg.
However there was also disappointment and agony for Husaberg's Graham Jarvis.
Although reaching the finish-line first, Jarvis was denied victory as organisers were forced to exclude him, after he unknowingly missed a section of the course during checkpoint seven.
Capitalising on a fast start to the race, Walker placed inside the top five as the 500 Qualifiers left the depths of the Erzberg quarry floor.
Finding a clear run up the early, fast-paced hill climbs, he quickly worked his way into first place and began to stretch an early lead to enter checkpoint 13, Karl's Diner, more than five minutes clear of his nearest rival Jarvis.
With news reaching Walker that Jarvis had been excluded from the race, the young Cumbrian switched into safe mode and ensured a calculated ride to the finish.
Jarvis – unaware of his error – was still charging hard and he overhauled Walker and ended the race first.
However, it was Walker who claimed the glory as he rode victoriously across the finish line moments later.
"I'm so chuffed to have won. I've trained so hard for this race over the last few months that it's fantastic to have actually won it,” said an ecstatic Walker, moments after clinching the win.
"My start was good and I was running top five on the first few hills. After that I just pushed my way to the front and rode as hard as I could to build a lead.
"When I dropped into Karl's Diner I was told that Graham had missed a checkpoint.
"At that point I still had a big lead so I knew I needed to ride smart and be careful. The most important thing was to try and keep moving and work my lines.
"I was so relieved when I got to the top of Dynamite because I knew the win was mine.”
FOR FULL REPORT AND PICTURES SEE TMX NEWS JUNE 15
Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble
Overall: 1 Jonny Walker (KTM) 1:42:22, 2 Dougie Lampkin (Gas Gas) 2:11:59, 3 Ben Hemingway (KTM) 2:18:08, 4 Paul Bolton (KTM) 2:30:03, 5 Taichi Tanaka (KTM) 3:00:20, 6 Lars Enockl (KTM) 3:06:12, 7 Dan Hemingway 3:17:13.
Other British finishers
Checkpoint 14 Double Foult: 14 Mark Jackson (KTM).
Checkpoint 12 Prospekt: 33 Martin Craven (KTM), 44 Neil Flockhart (KTM).
Checkpoint 11 One Way Train: 54 Andrew Noakley (KTM), 57 Gary Daniels (KTM).
Checkpoint 7 Maschin: 73 Jack Lee (Gas Gas).
Checkpoint 6 Ludwig's Land: 89 Graham Jarvis (Husaberg), 97 Damien Butler (KTM), 122 Jane Daniels (KTM)
Checkpoint 5 Devil's Kitchen: 172 Jack Ayres (KTM), 175 Michael Kay (KTM), 182 James Reeve (KTM), 192 Reece Morewood (KTM), 202 Gary McCoy (KTM), 212 David Dudley (KTM), 251 Ben Morgan (KTM).
Checkpoint 4 Zumpferlwald: 265 Adam Smith (KTM).
Checkpoint 3 Burping Stones: 308 Paul Westgarth (KTM), 309 Mark Fenwick (KTM), 329 Richard Main (KTM).Checkpoint 1 Rocky Raccoon: 406 Richard Bensley (Yamaha).
Checkpoint 0: 426 Luke Copestake (KTM), 443 Thomas Healey (KTM), 445 Nick Royle (KTM).Report and pictures: Future 7 Media
It was an all-British affair on the podium at the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble in Austria, as Jonny Walker, Dougie Lampkin, Ben Hemingway and Paul Bolton claimed the top four positions at the 18th edition of the toughest single-day race in the world.
Marking his second appearance at the race known as the Iron Giant, KTM's young gun Jonny Walker led home the 1,800-strong field of riders.
Repeating his 2011 result, Gas Gas factory rider Dougie Lampkin followed him home for second while Doug's cousin Ben Hemingway recorded his best-ever finish to place third.
Capping off a British domination of the race, Lancastrian Paul Bolton
battled his way to the end to secure fourth.
With Ben's brother Dan Hemingway becoming the seventh and final finisher of the gruelling race, Britain scored five out seven finishers in Erzberg.
However there was also
disappointment and agony for Husaberg's Graham Jarvis.
Although reaching the finish-line first, Jarvis was denied victory as organisers were forced to exclude him, after he unknowingly missed a section of the course during
checkpoint seven.
Capitalising on a fast start to the race, Walker placed inside the top five as the 500 Qualifiers left the depths of the Erzberg quarry floor.
Finding a clear run up the early, fast-paced hill climbs, he quickly worked his way into first place and began to stretch an early lead to
enter checkpoint 13, Karl's Diner, more than five minutes clear of his nearest rival Jarvis.
With news reaching Walker that Jarvis had been excluded from the race, the young Cumbrian switched into safe mode and ensured a
calculated ride to the finish.
Jarvis – unaware of his error – was still charging hard and he overhauled Walker and ended the race first.
However, it was Walker who claimed the glory as he rode victoriously across the finish line moments later.
"I'm so chuffed to have won. I've trained so hard for this race over the last few months that it's fantastic to have actually won it,” said an ecstatic Walker,
moments after clinching the win.
"My start was good and I was running top five on the first few hills. After that I just pushed my way to the front and rode as hard as I could to build a lead.
"When I dropped into Karl's Diner I was told that Graham had missed a checkpoint.
"At that point I still had a big lead so I knew I needed to ride smart and be careful. The most important thing was to try and keep moving and work my lines.
"I was so relieved when I got to the top of Dynamite because I knew the win was mine.”
FOR FULL REPORT AND PICTURES SEE TMX NEWS JUNE 15
Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble
Overall: 1 Jonny Walker (KTM) 1:42:22, 2 Dougie Lampkin (Gas Gas) 2:11:59, 3 Ben Hemingway (KTM) 2:18:08, 4 Paul Bolton (KTM) 2:30:03, 5 Taichi Tanaka (KTM) 3:00:20, 6 Lars Enockl (KTM) 3:06:12, 7 Dan Hemingway 3:17:13.
Other British finishers
Checkpoint 14 Double Foult: 14 Mark Jackson (KTM).
Checkpoint 12 Prospekt: 33 Martin Craven (KTM), 44 Neil Flockhart (KTM).
Checkpoint 11 One Way Train: 54 Andrew Noakley (KTM), 57 Gary Daniels (KTM).
Checkpoint 7 Maschin: 73 Jack Lee (Gas Gas).
Checkpoint 6 Ludwig's Land: 89 Graham Jarvis (Husaberg), 97 Damien Butler (KTM), 122 Jane Daniels (KTM)
Checkpoint 5 Devil's Kitchen: 172 Jack Ayres (KTM), 175 Michael Kay (KTM), 182 James Reeve (KTM), 192 Reece Morewood (KTM), 202 Gary McCoy (KTM), 212 David Dudley (KTM), 251 Ben Morgan (KTM).
Checkpoint 4 Zumpferlwald: 265 Adam Smith (KTM).
Checkpoint 3 Burping Stones: 308 Paul Westgarth (KTM), 309 Mark Fenwick (KTM), 329 Richard Main (KTM).
Checkpoint 1 Rocky Raccoon: 406 Richard Bensley (Yamaha).
Checkpoint 0: 426 Luke Copestake (KTM), 443 Thomas Healey (KTM), 445 Nick Royle (KTM).
