Enduro
Red Bull Hare Scramble: The contenders
We take a look at the riders who can challenge for the Erzberg title in 2014.
4 min
Who could win the Red Bull Hare Scramble?
We look at some of the front runners at the Red Bull hare Scramble 2014.
As winners of the Red Bull Hare Scramble Graham Jarvis, Jonny Walker and David Knight all enter the 20th edition of the ErzbergRodeo as firm favourites. But with a hefty line-up of talent entered it isn’t a foregone conclusion that one of the ‘big three’ will win again. So among the 1,800 competitors entered – who else has a serious chance of winning?
Alfredo Gomez
© Jonty Edmunds
Alfredo Gomez
Teammate to Jarvis, Spain’s Alfredo Gomez is a rider on the up. He’s highly motivated, extremely skilled and is desperate to take his debut Hard Enduro victory. Despite destroying his clutch in Carl’s Diner in 2013, Gomez was able to coax his bike to the finish line in third. It takes a guy with serious skill to clear Carl’s Diner and scale Dynamite with no clutch. Mark Gomez down as a one to watch.
Andreas Lettenbichler
© Jonty Edmunds
Andreas Lettenbichler
Runner-up to Jarvis in 2013, Germany’s Andreas Lettenbichler is not to be underestimated. Letti – as he’s known in the paddock – is an experienced competitor around the Iron Giant and has had plenty of podium finishes to his credit. With KTM backing in 2014, he’s a very serious threat for victory.
Dougie Lampkin
© Jonty Edmunds
Dougie Lampkin
Now one of the veterans of the leading pack, Dougie Lampkin has more talent in his little finger than the majority of 1800 Erzbergrodeo entrants combined. Despite proclaiming to be ‘semi-retired’ the 12-time trials world champion and three-time Red Bull Hare Scramble podium finisher has just won the notorious Scottish Six Day Trial, for an incredible eighth time. Armed with a KTM 300 for Erzberg 2014, Lampkin certainly has the capabilities of another podium result at Erzberg.
Taichi Tanaka
© Jonty Edmunds
Taichi Tanaka
Japan’s top Hard Enduro rider Taichi Tanaka takes on the Red Bull Hare Scramble for the final time in 2014. A four-time finisher of the race his best result was fifth in 2012. Taichi would love to cap off his time at the Iron Giant with a top three result. Tanaka may be short in stature but he’s loaded with grit and determination, exactly what’s needed to see a race like the Red Bull Hare Scramble through.
Paul Bolton
© Jonty Edmunds
Paul Bolton
Paul Bolton is the sport’s hardest working privateer. A road sweeper from Monday to Friday he’s a beast on an enduro bike at the weekends. Unfortunately last year’s race quickly turned sour just yards from the start when his bike got swallowed up by the first turn flood. Due some good fortune, if Bolts can have a steady ride then he might just match his top three result from 2008.
Ben Hemingway
© Jonty Edmunds
The Hemingways
Brothers Dan and Ben Hemingway might just be the most successful siblings ever to take on the Iron Giant. With both riders claiming a multitude of finishes at the Red Bull Hare Scramble, it’s Ben who holds the advantage with third place in 2012.
Cody Webb
© Jonty Edmunds
Cody Webb
Despite having never raced the Red Bull Hare Scramble, US star Cody Webb is a dark horse for a top result. A skilled trials rider, Webb’s been sensational since he turned his hand to Hard Enduro and Endurocross racing. Beating Taddy Blazusiak to victory at the opening round of the AMA EnduroCross series a couple of weeks ago, Webb has also beaten Jarvis twice at the King of the Motos extreme race in California. Add in the fact that he’s the only US rider to podium at Hell’s Gate and Webb could create quite the stir at Erzberg this year.
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