Enduro
Wade Young rides to victory on Day 2 at the Roof of Africa
Wade Young raced to the top of the Roof of Africa leaderboard and took control of proceedings on the second day in Lesotho.
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In what’s becoming a battle of South Africans, day one winner Travis Teasdale chased winner Wade Young home for second, while defending champion Graham Jarvis moved up to third on the second day of Roof of Africa 2017.
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Roof of Africa 2017: Offroad Day 1
Watch the best hard enduro action from day 2 in Lesotho
Travis and myself were back and forth all day. I think we were really pushing the pace and it was good to ride like that. It seemed to work out well. If either of us made a mistake we were able to help each other out
It was a strategy that clearly worked to the benefit of Young. Chasing his third Roof of Africa win, he now sits 1m 1s ahead of his fellow countryman, but with everything still to play for and an even tougher day on the cards for tomorrow's final day of racing, Young knows there's a long way to go.
It wasn't a particularly good day for Alfedo Gómez
© Wayne Reiche / Red Bull Content Pool
"Travis and myself were back and forth all day. I think we were really pushing the pace and it was good to ride like that. It seemed to work out well. If either of us made a mistake we were able to help each other out. Today I got the advantage, but I've got to push again tomorrow. Nothing's certain," said Young at the finish. "I really want this win. I missed last year due to injury so the hunger's there. I can only keep giving it my best, that’s all I can do. Hopefully that'll be enough."
Forming Young's shadow for the majority of the day, Teasdale slipped to second in the overall rankings, but is still very much in contention for a debut Roof of Africa win. He knows tomorrow will tell the real story.
Today's plan was to push the pace. It worked well, but with Wade right there, it wasn't possible to breakaway," commented Teasdale. "Tomorrow will tell the real story and we know it's going to be tough."
Jarvis ready to play catch up
Despite jumping one position to third overall, Graham Jarvis has a lot of work to do if he hopes to defend his title. With the home favourites setting the pace, the duo pulled 10 minutes clear of the four-time Roof of Africa winner.
Jarvis has a lot of work to do if he hopes to defend his title
© Tyrone Bradley/Red Bull Content Pool
Ever the optimistic, though, Jarvis knows that what's in store on the final day will ultimately tell the story of the race.
10 minutes behind is not ideal, but with some big climbs and equally steep descents planned tomorrow, that time can be quickly swallowed up
"10 minutes behind is not ideal, but with some big climbs and equally steep descents planned tomorrow, that time can be quickly swallowed up," said an optimistic Jarvis. "We've got some new signature climbs to tackle throughout the day and one right at the finish, so I'm looking forward to attacking them."
Four minutes behind Jarvis, Blake Gutzeit ended day two fourth overall and with Scott Bouverie in fifth, that ensures four South African's fill the top five places.
Sandra Gómez gunning for gold
In 2016, Kirsten Landman made history when she became the first woman rider to finish in the Gold class in the Roof of Africa.
Sandra Gómez is giving Kirsten Landman a run for her money
© Tyrone Bradley/Red Bull Content Pool
But in 2017 she's got company in the form of Spaniard, Sandra Gómez. Sister to Red Bull Hare Scramble winner Alfredo Gómez, Sandra is giving Landman a run for her money. Just outside the top 30, in 31st, Gómez holds a massive 55-minute advantage over 39th-placed Landman.
With another 100km-plus day awaiting competitors for the third and final day of racing, nothing's decided in the outcome of the final Hard Enduro World Series race of 2017.
Roof of Africa 2017 standings (after Day 2)
- Wade Young (Sherco) 4h 57m 49s
- Travis Teasdale (KTM) 4h 58m 50s
- Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 5h 9m 50s
- Blake Gutzeit (Yamaha) 5h 13m 14s
- Scott Bouverie (KTM) 5h 16m 8s
- Alfredo Gómez (KTM) 5h 16m 40s
- Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 5h 17m 28s
- Mario Roman (Sherco) 5h 22m 56s
- Andreas Lettenbichler (KTM) 5h 32m 7s
- David Cyprian (KTM) 5h 36m 53s
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