    |
 |
|
|
|
By - Lexy Thorogood:
Check out the WEBSITE: of Stefan Merriman, the Kiwi born Enduro rider for photos of this event, his profile, events calendar, etc.
Merriman Wins Nine Out Of Nine
At the final round of the Italian Enduro Champs in Abetone (Pisa), Stefan Merriman ended his national campaign on maximum points.
The Honda rider made history on the weekend, being the only person to have ever won the overall classification of every race of the Italian Enduro Championships. That´s despite promotional commitments at the Milan Show during the week prior to the race, which prevented him from his usual routine of walking tests and race preparation.
There were four specials tests to be ridden three times each, with over 200 km of trail. The race began in the ski village of Abetone and immediately went into an enduro test, which started at the bottom of a ski run.
The start was virtually a straight, flat-out track to the top in mostly thick alpine grass, then as you went higher it got steeper and the top was mostly big dangerous rocky boulders, but at that stage it was difficult to slow down without losing momentum. Merriman was unbeaten on this test on all laps. Spectators were able to catch a chairlift to the top and watch the special test racing below.
The second Enduro test was a little tamer, starting again at the bottom of a ski run and wound it\'s way up to the top on the ski access trail, the final ascent deviated off the access trail and went up a very steep ski run to the top of the ski lift.
The third Enduro test was similar to the new \'Extreme test\' in World Championships. This stage was set in the thick forest and required the riders to negotiate a series of obstacles - big rocks, logs, trees and creeks in a trials-like manner.
Merriman absolutely shone in this test, winning it on all three occasions and putting his trials riding experience to good use. The cross test was in the valley on a hilly paddock and consisted of mostly steep off cambered corners. Despite setting the fastest time of the day on this test, Merriman had a small crash on the third lap when he slipped on a patch of cow poo! He won the day by almost a minute from English rider Paul Edmondson.
\"I am very happy to have won this race,\" Merriman said. \"The Enduro tests were a little dangerous as they were very fast. Although I like the introduction of the \'Trialera\' Extreme test like what we have in the World Enduro Championships. It has been an excellent season for me and now I am looking ahead to the ISDE in Brazil.\"
