Stefan Merriman wins World Enduro Championship

After another flawless exhibition of front-running enduro riding, Australian Stefan Merriman (Honda) clinched his third world title in Skovde, Sweden on June 14.

Aboard his Italian-entered CRE250, Merriman again overwhelmed his opposition in the 250cc two-stroke class, and now leads by an unbeatable 39pts from arch-rival Samuli Aro (KTM) with just one day of competition remaining.

Merriman previously won the 250cc two-stroke class in 2000, with his other world title coming in the 450cc four-stroke class in 2002.

“My sole focus this year has been on winning the 250cc two-stroke title,” said Merriman. “I’ve just stuck to the task, and now I couldn’t be happier.”

Other champions crowned on day one in Sweden included Anders Eriksson (Husqvarna) in the 450cc class, and Finnish legend Juha Salminen (KTM) in the 500s.

Now that he’s achieved world champion-designate status in the 250cc class, Merriman’s sole focus on day two in Sweden will be wresting the scratch (overall) title from three-time defending champion Salminen. Merriman now leads his arch-rival by a scant 2pts (246 to 244), setting the scene for a tense championship finale.

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Stefan then fell 1.28 seconds short of displacing Juha Salminen (KTM) as world enduro champion in another class on the weekend.

In a brilliant final day’s racing in Sweden on Sunday, June 15, a small mistake from Merriman in the final extreme test – held in heavy rain -- cost him around five seconds, which was all that Salminen required to re-claim the lead – and a fourth consecutive outright title. Before the heavens opened, the duo was never separated by more than three seconds as they fought their own interpersonal battle for the enduro prize with the most cachet.

“I am absolutely devastated,” said Merriman. “I’ve been aiming for this title all season, and now I’ll have to wait another year to displace Salminen.” Salminen completed proceedings on 269pts, three clear of Merriman (266). KTM’s Samuli Aro was third on 233pts.

Victory in the outright class would have given Merriman an unprecedented – from an Aussie perspective -- two world titles in one weekend, after he wrapped up the 250cc two-stroke title from Aro on Saturday. However, with three world titles now in his possession, Merriman is officially the second most successful Australian motorcycle racer of all time, behind Mick Doohan with his five 500cc GP titles.

The final 2003 world champions crowned on Sunday were Sweden’s Peter Bergvall in 250cc four-stroke, and Finland’s Petri Pohjamo (Gas Gas) in 125cc two-stroke.