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Pic - The multi-talented Merriman:
The Aussies are very proud of the Kiwi that they have adopted and why not. Here is MA's take on Stefan Merriman's sensational fight back while injured on day one in Fatima, Portugal.
Stefan Merriman’s remarkable run of 32 consecutive world enduro finishes came to an abrupt halt in Portugal last Saturday, before the Aussie responded in the most emphatic way possible – victory on day two. The four-time world champion, aboard his Italian-entered Yamaha WR450F, retired on day one of Enduro 2 (250cc 2T versus 450cc 4T) competition after badly twisting ligaments in his left knee, and there were initial fears that the injury would see him indisposed for the remainder of the weekend.
However, that wasn’t to be, and Merriman’s response on day two was simply outstanding as he defeated ach-rival Samuli Aro (KTM) by a scant 1.41sec, with Frenchman Fabien Planet (KTM) another 30 seconds behind in third. Merriman’s third win of the year – he scored maximum points in the Spanish-hosted round one on April 2-3 – took his E2 season’s haul along to 75pts, 14 behind Aro (89), and seven in arrears of Planet (82).
A day earlier, and with Merriman nursing his tender knee, Aro moved into the E2 lead for the first time when he got the better of a tough struggle with Planet, with Italian Alessandro Botturi (KTM) bringing up the podium. Before the DNF, Merriman had won 23 of his previous 32 world enduro races, with his last non-finish coming in the final hitout of the 2003 season.
Meanwhile, the Enduro 1 (125cc 2T versus 250cc 4T) and Enduro 3 (500cc 2T versus 650cc 4T) classes continue to be dominated by Spaniard Ivan Cervantes (KTM) and David Knight (KTM) respectively, with the duo still unbeaten after four races.
Finally, Aussie Jake Stapleton (TM) came tantalisingly close to his maiden world enduro win in the all-new all-powers Junior class, completing day one hostilities only 4.99sec behind Gas Gas-mounted Spaniard, Cristobal Guerrero. With the same riders scoring the quinella on day two, Guerrero is now a 14pt (100 to 86) leader over the British-based Stapleton, followed by Oriol Mena (Gas Gas, 76) in third.
Round three – races five and six – of the 2005 Maxxis Enduro World Championship will be held at Tolmezzo in Italy on May 7-8.
Mark Fattore
Media Manager
Motorcycling Australia
