By Lexy Thorogood
In dusty conditions and 40 degree heat, Merriman sealed the victory of
the Assoluta classification of the Italian Enduro Championships for
2003. As a foreigner, the rules do not allow foreigners to win the
individual classes of the Italian Enduro Championships, thus Merriman
can only contend the overall title. After six overall victories in the
six days of racing for the season, Merriman runs away with the title
three races before the end of the championships. The hot conditions made
this race very difficult. The riders completed three loops of a 60km
trail, with two cross tests and one Enduro test. The race was situated
in the small village of Ponte Nizza, and extended to the nearby villages
of Varzi and Spizziro. For the riders it was a long day, with over 8
hours of riding and 45 minutes of special tests. Merriman lead the race
from start to finish, and won the day 39 seconds ahead of Mika Ahola on
the VOR 520. Aro and Knight were again absent for this round. Other
foreign contenders in the race were Saarenkoski (FIN), Edmondson (GBR),
Larsson (SWE), Michalik (CZE) and Eriksson (SWE). Eriksson debuted the
new Husky 500 in this race, but struggled in the heat to finish 23rd
overall. Also, Italian Motocross ace, Alessandro Belometti rode a Suzuki
RMX 125 and finished second in the 125 class and 16th overall.
About the day, Merriman said," I really wanted to clinch the overall
title today before the end of the season, so I am very happy to have
won. Today was hard going with the heat and dust, and longer than the
usual races being 8 hours long. The organisers have done a fantastic job
on the tests, and the bike performed really well."
For photos, results and reports, check www.stefanmerriman.com