Enduro

Josep Garcia Sets The Pace At Erzbergrodeo‰Ûªs BlaklÌ_der Iron Road Prolog

Posted:

Saturday, June 2nd, 2018

12:10 PM

Spaniard Josep Garcia kicked off his Erzbergrodeo camapaign with a solid win in the BlaklÌ_der Iron Road Prolog. Photo: Future7Media

Spain‰Ûªs Josep Garcia has established himself as the rider to beat in this year‰Ûªs Erzbergrodeo BlaklÌ_der Iron Road Prolog, setting the fastest time during Friday‰Ûªs opening qualification run.

Turning up the heat at round two of the World Enduro Super Series in Austria, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing‰Ûªs Garcia set a blisteringly fast qualification time to provisionally top the standings ahead of the 1530 competitors entered. Making his debut ride at the iconic Erzbergrodeo the reigning Enduro 2 World Champion wasted no time in making his presence felt by edging out 2018 Dakar Rally champion Matthias Walkner (KTM - AUT) with two-time SuperEnduro World Champion Colton Haaker placing third.

With qualification starting early at 08.00 hours, clear and sunny skies greeted the 1530-strong entry, all eager to blast their way up the infamous Iron Giant. Returning to action having missed the WESS opener in Portugal due to a knee injury, 2017 Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble winner Alfredo Gomez led the field away. Quickly followed by three-time winner Graham Jarvis and reigning SuperEnduro World Champion Cody Webb the pace was fast and frantic from the off.

Home favourite Matthias Walkne was second on his KTM 450 Rally. Photo: Future7Media

However, when the times were tallied up, it was Garcia who finished on top, beating home favourite Walkner on his KTM 450 Rally bike for Friday‰Ûªs win by just over one second. Two seconds further back, Haaker stopped the clocks for a top three time.

‰ÛÏI‰Ûªm so surprised to set the fastest time in today‰Ûªs prologue," Garcia mused. "As it‰Ûªs my first time here I wasn‰Ûªt sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed my run up the Iron Giant. It was a crazy feeling to ride with such speed for so long. Hopefully I can hold onto my lead and start Sunday‰Ûªs race with the number one plate on my bike.‰Û

American Colton Haaker was third fastest. Photo: Future7Media

Results ‰ÛÒ Erzbergrodeo, BlaklÌ_der Iron Road Prolog, Friday, June 1
1. Josep Garcia (KTM) 10:11.02;
2. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 10:12.58;
3. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 10:14.88;
4. Ossi Reisinger (Husqvarna) 10:20.27;
5. Walter Feichtinger (KTM) 10:24.10;
6. Jonny Walker (KTM) 10:25.60;
7. Travis Teasdale (Beta) 10:25.57;
8. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 10:26.81;
9. Paul Bolton (KTM) 10:27.69;
10. Cody Webb (KTM) 10:29.93‰Û_

Erzbergrodeo Schedule
May 31: Mitas Rocket Ride
June 1: BlaklÌ_der Iron Road Prolog ‰ÛÓ from 08.00hrs
June 2: BlaklÌ_der Iron Road Prolog ‰ÛÓ from 08.00hrs
June 3: Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble ‰ÛÓ 14.30-18.30hrs