Under fredagen och lördagen genomfördes den stenhårda och populära EM-deltävlingen i Extremenduro vid Storstenshöjden. Som vi tidigare rapporterat vanns KTM-föraren Jonny Walker tävlingen, som livesändes av Fastbikes.se. Husqvarnaförarna Joakim Ljunggren och Graham Jarvis körde in på andra respektive tredje plats i Pro-klassen. Här kan du ta del av Husqvarnas pressrelease från tävlingen...

DOUBLE BATTLE OF VIKINGS PODIUM IN SWEDEN

BEL-RAY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING PAIRING OF JOAKIM LJUNGGREN AND GRAHAM JARVIS PLACE SECOND AND THIRD IN THE SWEDISH BATTLE OF VIKINGS EXTREME ENDURO.

With the Battle of Vikings marking the third round of the European Extreme Enduro Championship it was a result to remember for the Husqvarna Motorcycles pairing with both riders finishing on the podium in the four-hour long race.

As defending champion of the race, Joakim Ljunggren faced a stronger challenge for top honours in 2014 with some of the best extreme enduro riders in the world attending. Hoping for a top five result, the Swede got his weekend off to an impressive start when he placed second to Jonny Walker in the Friday Prologue. Starting Saturday’s Battle of Vikings race 10 seconds behind Walker, Ljunggren chased him hard in the extreme heat around the ski slope based course. Staying within three minutes of him for the majority of the race, Ljunggren eased back on the final two laps to place a comfortable runner-up.

Arriving to Sweden with a stomach bug, Graham Jarvis was feeling slightly under the weather. Unsure of what to expect for his first time at the event, he placed seventh in the prologue. With a bit of work to do, he fought his way into third by the end of lap one on Saturday. Unable to bridge the gap to the leaders and knowing the extreme heat would take its toll, Jarvis settled into a comfortable pace that would see him through the duration of the race to finish third.

The European Extreme Enduro Championship concludes with the GetzenRodeo in Germany on October 25.

Joakim Ljunggren: “I’m completely surprised by my result in this extreme enduro race. I’m so happy with it. Although I won the race last year I was hoping for a top five result at best this year because with it being a round of the European Extreme Enduro Championship many of the best extreme enduro riders were here. Finishing second in the prologue set me up nicely for the main event. I put in a good first lap and stayed in contention with Jonny. He was riding very strong but for the first half of the race I was only three minutes behind. Racing in 30 degree heat wasn’t easy but I found a rhythm that was fast enough to hold my position. In the final few laps Jonny pulled away to win by about eight minutes. Finishing second but being the only other rider to complete nine laps was fantastic. I’m really pleased with how it’s gone.”

Graham Jarvis: “It’s been a hard race but I’m pleased to have fought my way onto the podium. This was my first time racing the Battle of Vikings and I wasn’t sure what to expect but it’s been a really good race – tough too. Seventh in Prologue wasn’t ideal, as I had to start about 70 seconds behind the leaders. I fought my way into third by the end of lap one but both Joakim and Jonny had a decent gap on me at that stage. Between a combination of the heat, fighting off the effects of a stomach bug and trying to preserve energy I wasn’t able to close them down. I knew third was safe so I kept it steady to finish on the podium. I’ve enjoyed it though and know what to expect for next year.”

Results – Battle of Vikings

1. Jonny Walker (KTM) 9 laps, 4:17:52; 2. Joakim Ljunggren (Husqvarna) 4:26:04; 3. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 8 laps, 4:00:34; 4. Paul Bolton (KTM) 4:21:11; 5. Magnus Thor (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 4:00:33…