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Many people would have guessed that ex-Kiwi and World Enduro Champion Stefan Merriman would win the 2001 Suzuki Australian 4-Day Enduro in Oparau. However, his almost flawless ride throughout the event even shut the mouths of critics who said the small-statured Husqvarna rider couldn\'t handle a powerful bike like the TC 610.
The quiet-spoken Queensland rider blitzed the rest of the field which included 10-times Australian champion Geoff Ballard, former New Zealand Enduro champ Steven Bird and dark horse Tim Woodward, who were left to fight for second place.
The final motocross became a two-way battle for second place as both Bird and Ballard fought hard for the position. When the dust cleared, it was \"the Birdman\" who secured the second spot on the podium.
Merriman said the riding was a lot different from what he was used to. \"I think the Kiwi\'s had a big advantage as they\'re used to riding on this sort of ground, but when they come to Australia, then we have the advantage. The hardest part is to be good at everything.\"
Pahiatua\'s Paul Whibley\'s performance over the four days caught the eye of Kiwi\'s and Australians alike, as he tore the 250cc two-stroke class apart on his Honda CR 250. The 21-year-old finished second overall behind Merriman, and opened up a half-lap lead over the rest of the field in the final motocross.
\"The whole event was awesome,\" said Whibley. \"The trails were great - especially the bush sections. My bike ran great, and I had no mishaps to speak of.\"
Australia\'s Enduro captain and veteran rider Tim Shearer hinted they may try and get Whibley an Australian pass-port.
Panorama\'s Ben Grabham finished with a strong third overall on his Yamaha WR 250, and comfortably won the 250cc four-stroke class after New Zealand\'s Dene Humphrey crashed hard on the second day, severely bruising his right upper leg. However, Humphrey\'s determination superceded the pain, and he rode the remainder of the Enduro. He finished fourth overall behind Ben\'s brother Damien Grabham and Stuart Morgan.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the whole A4DE was the exclusion of New Zealand\'s former World Motocross 500cc Champion Shayne King after the second day. Shayne, who was winning the 500cc 4-stroke class was reported to have changed the back wheel on his KTM 520 out on the field. In Enduros, riders are not allowed to undertake such tasks outside the pit area.
King\'s disqualification hampered New Zealand\'s chances of winning the Oceania Championship, and the Australian team won the trophy convincingly.
The Australian fraternity had to adopt a \"sink or swim\" attitude at Oparau, with many of the riders unfamiliar at riding on the mountainous terrain of the North Island West Coast. But after a steep learning curve on the first day, the Australians clicked to the terrain, and quickly pulled back the lead the New Zealanders had made.
New South Wales won both the senior and junior State Teams championships. New Zealand followed Southern/Western Australia to third in the senior class, and ACT for third in the juniors.
Event organiser Mark Davis said the success of the 4-Day went beyond their expectations. \"It was awesome. Everything ran incredibly well, and everyone enjoyed themselves. Both the Kiwis and the Australians can be proud of their efforts this weekend.\"
Final results are available from www.eatmydirt.com.au.
