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Merriman begins the big chase
After some heady work to move himself back into the 2005 world enduro mix, Australian Stefan Merriman (Yamaha) begins another tough assignment in Finland this weekend – trying to reign in runaway leader Samuli Aro (KTM).
Aro (450EXC) has finished on the podium in all 12 E2 (250cc 2T vs. 450cc 4T) races so far in 2005, but his biggest break came when arch-rival Merriman (WR450F) missed three outings with injury earlier in the year, which allowed the Finnish champion to pull out a huge lead.
He’s now on 270pts, 51 in front of Merriman (219), with Fabien Planet (KTM, 209), Anders Eriksson (Husqvarna, 203) and Allessandro Botturi (KTM) also above the 200pt mark.
Merriman, who had his spleen removed after a nasty crash in the Italian-hosted round four, has won four of the last six races since returning to action, which is the type of form he will have to show around the 45km, three-special-test loop in Heinola if he has any chance of unsettling Aro.
A lack of form certainly doesn’t appear to be an issue, because 32-year-old Merriman recently paid a lightning visit back home, where he cleaned up in the Yamaha Australian Four-Day Enduro (A4DE), which was held at Wyong (NSW).
Instead, it’s more a question of what happens with Aro, who shares Merriman’s rock-solid temperament – and a phenomenal finishing strike rate. Aro, last year’s E3 (500cc 2T vs. 650cc 4T) world champion, has only failed to finish two races since the start of the 2003 season, so it’s a fair bet that he’ll be a factor in a majority of the final six races – and score well too.
Moreover, this weekend will be the first world enduro round in Finland since 2003, so Aro will be primed for a top-notch performance in front of his countryman.
Since the Enduro World Championship started in 1990, Finnish riders have won 21 of the contested classes, ahead of Italy (19) and Sweden (18). Australia is fourth, courtesy of Merriman (four titles) and Victorian Shane Watts (one), who now competes in America.
In the E1 (125cc 2T vs. 250cc 4T) class, Spaniard Ivan Cervantes (KTM) has hogged most of the limelight in winning 10 of the 12 races, and a 58pt (292 to 234) lead over Marc Germain (Yamaha, 234), who’s in turn got the wood over Italian duo Alessandro Belometti (KTM, 209) and Simone Albergoni (Honda, 209).
Meanwhile, Britain’s David Knight (KTM) has been impervious to any assault in E3, and is now eyeing an unprecedented world championship whitewash – and a perfect haul of 450pts. The reigning No. 2 now on 300pts, well in front of Marko Tarkkala (KTM, 247) and Sebastien Guillaume (Gas Gas , 221).
Finally, Australian Jake Stapleton (TM EN250) will continue his charge towards a maiden victory in the all-powers junior class in Finland, after coming oh-so close in previous rounds. Despite missing one round with injury, Stapleton is fourth the standings on 212pts, and is the only rider to have finished on the podium in all the races he has started. The junior class is being led by Spain’s Cristobal Guerrero (Gas Gas), who looks like becoming Stapleton’s contemporary for many years to come.
Stapleton won the over 220cc class at the recent A4DE, as well as finishing third outright behind Merriman and Damian Smith (Yamaha).
For more information on the Maxxis Enduro World Championship, visit http://www.abc-wec.org/2005/index.htm
CURRENT STANDINGS (after six of nine rounds):
