Release from 12.12.2019
Jarvis fights back at the 'Mother of Hard Enduro'
A look at the 2019 Roof of Africa journey of enduro legend Graham Jarvis...
The curtains of the Motul Roof of Africa, infamously known as the ‘Mother of Hard Enduro’, drew to a close in Lesotho this past weekend. It was a particularly memorable event for Husqvarna South Africa, who in 2019 welcomed the entry from world-class rider Graham Jarvis.
It’s no secret that the 44-year old has entered the latter part of his career, and spectators relished every moment of watching the legend race through some of the world’s most unforgiving terrain.
After an electrifying Enduro Cross event in the city of Maseru, Jarvis managed to qualify second for the first race day in the Mountain Kingdom. On a grueling 180km route that had most elite riders in the saddle for close to eight hours, it was reigning Roof of Africa champion Wade Young who managed to open up a gap on the rest field. The chasing pack of Jarvis, Kyle Flanagan and Scott Bouverie were left to battle it out for the remaining two spots on the podium.
It was a disappointing start to the event by his own high standards for Jarvis , who then came back on the second and more technical race day with a point to prove. Doing what he does best over challenging terrain, Jarvis finished the day with the fastest race time of 05:54:21.
His comeback was impressive, but despite bridging the gap that had been opened up on the first race day Jarvis missed the podium by just two seconds. It was a spectacle to watch the rider put up a fight regardless, and fans will wait with an eager anticipation of seeing him return in 2020.
For the PEPSON PLASTICS HUSQVARNA RACING squad, the event brought the kind of breakthrough that Brett Swanepoel and Matthew Green had been waiting for.
The majority of 2019 has been a building season for Swanepoel, who has slowly been making his comeback after an injury that almost ended his career. With a fifth place overall at the ‘Mother of Hard Enduro’, the rider has undoubtedly reinstated himself as one of the front runners in this sport.
The future looks bright for Swanepoel, who will enter the new year as a favourite for the 2020 National Enduro Championship and fierce contender for the next edition of the Roof of Africa.
It was a momentous event for teammate Matthew Green. Taking full advantage of his bigger TE 300i this year, the rider managed to hold the pace of the leading pack throughout the event. At just 18-years old, he pulled off a top ten for the first time in his promising career.
“I needed to step it up this year and I had a point to prove. I couldn’t be more stoked with a top ten finish and know that this is start of much bigger things in my career,” said Green.
Husqvarna South Africa's Brand Manager Fred Fensham gives a parting shot: “With what I termed our 'Awesome Threesome', we went to this years Roof full of confidence. Securing Graham once again for the event was incredible and he did us proud – Friday was not his best day and he did not find his mojo, but he once again proved that he is still one of the best with the fastest time on Saturday. His parting shot to me – “Ill be back!” Brett and Matt both really made us proud and to see them both in the top seven was just great. Three Husky’s in the top 7 gold finishes is for me a very proud moment !”