June 21, 2024

Red Bull Leader Tread’s Wade Young has increased his lead at round three of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship in Serbia. The South African placed a close runner-up to Jarvis Racing’s Graham Jarvis on Offroad Day Two at Xross Hard Enduro Rally.

• Wade Young continues to lead FIM HEWC round three

• Graham Jarvis tops Offroad Day Two at Xross Hard Enduro Rally

• Junior class lead changes hands with three-way fight for victory

It was an exciting penultimate day of racing at the third round of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship in Zlatibor, Serbia. With competitors facing a long and demanding course for Offroad Day Two at Xross Hard Enduro Rally, the event continued to put everyone through their paces.

On a high following his win on Offroad Day One to take control of the race lead, Red Bull Leader Tread’s Wade Young was eager to establish momentum on the penultimate Offroad Day Two. The fresh terrain faced today did not faze Young as he led the field of Pro class riders away early morning. After the first five sectors, the GASGAS-mounted rider was leading on the road, and on corrected time. But only just. 

Sherco Factory Racing’s Teodor Kabakchiev was pushing hard to make up for yesterday’s lost time and trailed the South African by just 21 seconds. Jarvis Racing’s Graham Jarvis was another rider on the move. Despite a late start time due to finishing yesterday in 16th, the Hard Enduro legend put all his experience to use and lay third at the midway point of the day.

With the second half of the day featuring multiple difficult sections, Jarvis put on a masterclass and overhauled his rivals to claim a memorable stage win. For Young, hopes of back-to-back Offroad Day wins slipped from his grasp in the final moments, ending his day 19 seconds behind Jarvis as runner-up. However, the South African extended his lead to a very healthy nine minutes and 24 seconds entering tomorrow’s final Offroad Day Three.

Losing time to both Jarvis and Young late in the day, Kabakchiev ended today in third. But the Bulgarian still pulled time on Michael Walkner (GASGAS), who took fourth. Passing the Austrian for second overall in classification, the Sherco rider holds a five-minute advantage over Walkner with one day of racing remaining.

Moore surges ahead in fight for Junior class lead

 Rigo Racing’s James Moore is rapidly impressing everyone at round three in Serbia. The young South African is charging hard and clearly feeling at home in the hot and testing terrain. Claiming a career-best fifth today in Serbia, he now leads the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM classification.

However, the battle for the top step of the podium is set to go down to the wire tomorrow, with Moore locked in a three-way fight with AG Racing’s Suff Sella and TTR Squadra Corse’s Mitch Brightmore.

Placing sixth overall today, Sella was second quickest in Juniors. Mitch Brightmore ended his day 10th overall, slipping from first to third in the Junior category. With Moore now leading Sella by two minutes, and Brightmore by four minutes, we’re set for a grandstand finish in the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM at round three.

Provisional Results: Round Three - Xross Hard Enduro Rally

 Offroad Day Two
1. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 4:45:00
2. Wade Young (GASGAS) 4:45:20
3. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 4:48:55
4. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 4:53:46
5. James Moore (GASGAS) 5:00:24
6. Suff Sella (KTM) 5:01:53
7. Mario Roman (Sherco) 5:02:05
8. Francesc Moret (Sherco) 5:04:41
9. David Cyprian (KTM) 5:05:19
10. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 5:11:56

Classification (After Offroad Day Two)
1. Wade Young (GASGAS) 9:15:13
2. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 9:24:38
3. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 9:29:15
4. Mario Roman (Sherco) 9:44:06
5. David Cyprian (KTM) 6:59:49
6. James Moore (GASGAS) 10:09:10
7. Suff Sella (KTM) 10:11:11
8. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 10:13:00
9. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 10:18:44
10. Matthew Green (KTM) 10:18:49