Tauranga rider Stefan Merriman won the individual title at the International Six-Day Enduro world team championships amid controversy and chaos in Kielce, Poland, yesterday.
The news of Merriman's win, which follows Ben Townley claiming the world MX2 crown nine days ago, delighted Motorcycling New Zealand chief executive Trevor McGill. "This is
the 24th world title and second this year to New Zealand motorcycling. It can only be good for our sport with our riders doing so well around the world." The victory at the "Olympics of motorcycling" was not without controversy, however, with Merriman playing a central role.
Merriman, 31, a four-time world enduro champion and poised to retain his crown with two rounds to go, led a rider revolt over the dry and dusty conditions he considered to be dangerous.
In an email to Motorcycling NZ, his wife, Anita, said: "There was utter confusion and high drama on track today. "The conditions were very dry and dusty. Enduro 1 (lightweight bikes) riders were the first to race.
"This turned out to be a dangerous race with the extreme dry and dusty conditions.
"There were many riders fallen off and lying on the ground on and off the track. One rider from Japan was seriously hurt during this race.
"Stefan was the first rider to come to the start for E2 (mid-sized bike category).
"He took one look at the track and said it was ridiculous to ride in these conditions and with several other riders, decided not to race unless the track was watered."
Anita Merriman said her husband found the track still too dangerous after organisers made three attempts at watering the track.
"Stefan told me that he had to consider the rest of the races too, with both the E3 and the E2 still left to run, probably nine races in all."
Merriman parked his bike when organisers asked the riders to go to the start line and was supported by the other riders.
Chaos broke out when two British riders went to the start line and were stopped by a line of riders.
"There was lots of booing and chaos started and I understand the Spanish team has been disqualified," Anita Merriman said.
In the end, results at the end of the fifth day decided the outcome of the championship and Merriman, who was the fastest rider of the three classes, won the individual title.
New Zealand host the 2006 ISDE championships in Taupo. Results: Overall individual: Stefan Merriman (NZ, Yamaha) 2 hours 21 minutes 57.64 seconds, Samuli Aro (Finland KTM) plus 49.74s, David Knight (Britain, KTM) plus 1min 22.23s 3. World Trophy: Finland 1, Italy 2, France 3.
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