Stefan Merriman has climbed up the points standings in the overall classicfication of the italian Championships after a exceptional win at Colleferro, Rome on the weekend.
Arriving at the race place on Wednesday prior to the race, the highway exit to Colleferro was closed due to flooding from three days of heavy rain.Cloudy conditions continued the following days, which didn't help much in drying out the track. However Merriman got to work setting up his bike and walking the three special stages (one cross and two enduro tests), to prepare for the race.
The race on Sunday started with the 250 four stroke class first (Albergoni, Micheluz, Ahola, Cherubini). On the first lap only the cross test was timed, as the two enduro tests were pre ridden. The first riders through had a distinct advantage in the grassy cross test as they had firm ground to race on. Merriman arrived with the 500 class, after the 450 class and the track was considerable cut up with sloppy mud and no grass left for grip.
Merriman had to claw back the time lost in the intial laps as the day progressed, by not making any mistakes and setting very fast times in the rocky enduro test, where he was able to utilise his trials skills. many riders took time penalties in the time controls due to the bank of riders stuck on the trail. Ahola also took a minute penalty, where he was unable to complete repairs to his bike within the time limit at a time check. However the jury cancelled all time penalties at the end of the day, due to the delay of the riders at certain bottlenecks on the trail, so Ahola was fortunate not to lose time. Auberts' Yamaha broke down on the second lap, forcing him to retire from the race.
Merriman had a couple of crashes, one on the second lap of the cross test in the slippery mud and another on the last lap of the first enduro test. Even after the crash, he still managed to set the fastest time overall in this special test! A brilliant victory for merriman on the Aprilia 550 v Twin.
Stefan Merriman has climbed up the points standings in the overall classicfication of the italian Championships after a exceptional win at Colleferro, Rome on the weekend.
Arriving at the race place on Wednesday prior to the race, the highway exit to Colleferro was closed due to flooding from three days of heavy rain.Cloudy conditions continued the following days, which didn't help much in drying out the track. However Merriman got to work setting up his bike and walking the three special stages (one cross and two enduro tests), to prepare for the race.
The race on Sunday started with the 250 four stroke class first (Albergoni, Micheluz, Ahola, Cherubini). On the first lap only the cross test was timed, as the two enduro tests were pre ridden. The first riders through had a distinct advantage in the grassy cross test as they had firm ground to race on. Merriman arrived with the 500 class, after the 450 class and the track was considerable cut up with sloppy mud and no grass left for grip.
Merriman had to claw back the time lost in the intial laps as the day progressed, by not making any mistakes and setting very fast times in the rocky enduro test, where he was able to utilise his trials skills. many riders took time penalties in the time controls due to the bank of riders stuck on the trail. Ahola also took a minute penalty, where he was unable to complete repairs to his bike within the time limit at a time check. However the jury cancelled all time penalties at the end of the day, due to the delay of the riders at certain bottlenecks on the trail, so Ahola was fortunate not to lose time. Auberts' Yamaha broke down on the second lap, forcing him to retire from the race.
Merriman had a couple of crashes, one on the second lap of the cross test in the slippery mud and another on the last lap of the first enduro test. Even after the crash, he still managed to set the fastest time overall in this special test! A brilliant victory for merriman on the Aprilia 550 v Twin.
41.56:48
2504T 42.08:27
42.08:28
4T 42.31:89
42.33:03
Champs
Images:
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http://www.dirtbike.ws/content/2008-enduro-championships-rome-stefan-me…