Dubbed the toughest extreme enduro in the U.S., the 2nd annual King of the Motos took place on Sunday, February 3rd in Johnson Valley, California, two hours east of Los Angeles. The 2013 race expanded in length from the previous 85-mile course consisting of open desert racing, loose climbs and the famed rock terrain that has made the place an iconic off-road area.
Graham Jarvis, the 2012 King of the Motos winner, returned to defend his title along with enduro racers Kurt Caselli, Destry Abbott and Red Bulls Ivan Ramirez. Jarvis and Webb took the lead with a gap of five minutes early in the race and then exchanged the lead several times. After more than 4 hours of battle Graham had to pass the lead to Webb due to some technical problems with his bike, which slowed him down less than 20 miles to go in the 180 mile endurance test.
Jarvis said: "I felt it (the rear tire) getting a bit of a wobble at the beginning of the second (80 mile) loop and maybe I should have slowed a little to conserve it but Cody was right there so I couldn't back off".
In the end, Jarvis lost over twenty minutes to Webb as he nursed his bike to the finish line. Webb too had his rear moose coming apart and slowed in order to get to the finish for his first major "Big Bike" win. Taylor Robert took over third place and held it to the finish.
The next challenge for Husaberg Extreme Racing Team rider and his team mates is the Hells Gate, taking place on Saturday, 16th February in Castelvecchio Pascoli, Lucca, Italy.
2013 King of the Motos Results (Unofficial):
1. Cody Webb, Beta
2. Graham Jarvis, Husaberg
3. Taylor Robert, Kawasaki
4. Destry Abbott, Kawasaki
5. Brian Roper, KTM
You can see the video highlights here: http://youtu.be/sOwzpkV8tps
Interview with Graham Jarvis: http://youtu.be/GmSmst3rDtI
(courtesy of King of the Motos)
HUSABERG TEAM TAKES OVER THE PODIUM OF THE SPANISH CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP
Spanish Husaberg Team celebrates a triple podium at the second race of the Spanish Cross Country Championship
After winning the first race of the Spanish Cross Country Championship, Oriol Mena did it again at the second round held in Malpartida, Cáceres this weekend and increased his lead ahead of his closest rival, team mate Betriu Jaume, who was only 3rd. With also Mario Roman on the 2nd place the podium was entirely in Husabergs colours.
After having two riders on the podium at the first race, Husaberg riders outperformed the past success at the second round, dominating the race straight from the start. The 9 km track in Cáceres comprised of a technical enduro part and a sandy motocross part. Besides Mena and Betriu also Mario Roman performed an excellent ride, even though hes not competing in the entire Championship. The three riders were also the only ones that managed to finish all 15 laps within the limited time available.
Oriol Mena has now increased his lead to 8 points ahead of Betriu before the last race of the Championship, which is scheduled for next weekend in Guadalajara. With only 3 races in the schedule and no space for any mistakes this should give him enough advantage to clinch the title if he makes no major mistakes in the next race.
Final Standings ? 2nd Race:
1. Oriol Mena (Husaberg)
2. Mario Román (Husaberg)
3. Jaume Betriu (Husaberg)
Current Standings ? Spanish Cross Country Championship 2013
1. Oriol Mena (50)
2. Jaume Betriu (42)
3. Carlos Caballero (36)
4. Mario Román (22)
