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Australia fifth on day one
With master technician Stefan Merriman again leading the way, Australia has kicked off the 2005 International Six Days’ Enduro (ISDE) in Slovakia with a fifth place in the 18-country World Trophy division.
Merriman began the 79th ISDE with a bang on his factory Yamaha WR450F, easily winning the E2 (250cc 2T vs. 450cc 4T) class by 39.24sec over Frenchman Emmanuel Albepart (Honda), with arch-rival Samuli Aro (KTM) in third position.
The virtuoso performance, on territory to the four-time world champion’s liking, also saw him claim scratch (overall) honours on day one from E3 (500cc 2T vs. 650cc 4T) campaigner David Knight (KTM), as he sets out to defend the individual title he won for the first time in 2004.
Such was Merriman’s dominance in E2, only seven riders finished within a minute of him – all of them the Aussie’s contemporaries from the 2005 world title.
“I feel really comfortable on this type of terrain,” said Merriman. “Today was basically the same tests as last year’s world enduro title here, where I was able to win both days outright. So I had the bike set up right for these conditions and everything went well.
“The only problem I had was catching up to other riders and struggling to get past in the test which slowed me down in a few places. However it is only the start of the six days and anything can happen. I hope I can continue at the same pace tomorrow.”
Three of Merriman’s five Senior Trophy (ST) teammates are also competing in the E2 class in Slovakia – Jake Stapleton (TM EN250), Anthony Roberts (Husqvarna WR250) and Jehi Willis (KTM 250EXC). The trio finished day one 9th, 22nd and 52nd in E2, which undoubtedly has the greatest depth of talent at the ISDE.
Meanwhile, veterans Brad Williscroft (KTM 525EXC) and Damian Smith (Yamaha WR250F) complete this year’s ST roster, and kicked off proceedings with 14th in E3 and 35th in E1 (125cc 2T vs. 250cc 4T).
The sextet’s combined efforts has them fifth in the ST battle, behind France, Italy, Finland and Sweden. France and Italy have already built a nice little buffer over two-time defending champion Finland, while Australia is four minutes and 31 seconds off the pace heading into day two – another 250km journey through the steep hills and dark forests around Povazska Bystrica.
In the Junior World Trophy (JWT), Australia, with three debutantes, is sixth after day one, 22 seconds behind fifth-placed Great Britain. Shannon Lewry (Husaberg FE550) was the best of the four-man Aussie throng, completing his E3 duties in 19th position, and less than two minutes behind Knight. Adam Lees (FE550), who competed in the JWT in 2001, was 24th in E3, while Blake Hore (WR450F) and Darren Lloyd (EN250) were 41st and 74th in E2.
The three world enduro heavyweights – Italy, France and Finland – also hold the top three positions in the 12-team JWT.
Australia won the JWT in the Polish-hosted ISDE of 1995, and has also finished third in 1998 and 2004.
DAY ONE RESULTS
