Merriman pulls Yamaha A4DE lead
Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha racer, Stefan Merriman, has blasted out of the gates of the 2010 Yamaha Australian 4-Day Enduro (A4DE) to take the provisional Outright and E2 Class lead.
Merriman, 36, from Nelson Bay (NSW) is ahead of the field of nearly 260 riders by 13-seconds going into Day 2.
“It’s been a great start to the A4DE,” Merriman said. “I had [Toby Price] pushing me all the way today and keeping me honest.
“I really enjoyed the tests, they are world class. Conditions are ideal after rain pre-event.
“Hopefully I can keep it rolling and win this four-day.”
Trailing Merriman in E2 and Overall is Motorex KTM’s Toby Price. Price’s Teammate, Jarrod Bewley, well is within striking distance in third Overall and heads the E1 Class.
The E3 Class is lead by another Motorex KTM rider, Ben Grabham (from Bathurst) who is sitting fourth Overall.
Rounding out the top-10 Outright are New Zealander and Yamaha rider, Rory Mead (in fifth), Victorian rising star Daniel Milner (in sixth), Queenslander and YZ450F rider Kirk Hutton (seventh), Jason Davis (eighth), Peter Boyle (ninth) and Adrian Smith (10th).
Yamaha A4DE Day 1 Class Results (Provisional)
E1: 1st Jarrod Bewley (Motorex KTM) 2nd Matthew Phillips (Honda) 3rd Ben Burrell (Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha).
E2: 1st Stefan Merriman (Ballard’s Wellards Yamaha) 2nd Toby Price (Motorex KTM) 3rd Rory Mead (Yamaha).
E3: 1st Ben Grabham (Motorex KTM) 2nd Geoff Braico (Husaberg Racing) 3rd Mitcham Harper (KTM).
Veteran’s: 1st Brad Williscroft (Motorex KTM) 2nd Rohan Crouch (Honda) 3rd Jason Cater (Yamaha).
Master’s: 1st David Cash (Yamaha) 2nd Geoff Ballard (Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha) 3rd Steven Clarke (Yamaha).
Women’s: 1st Jessica Gardiner (Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha) 2nd Jemma Wilson (Yamaha) 3rd Alison Parker (Yamaha).