Merriman dominates off-road opener

Ballard Wellard Yamaha star recruit, Stefan Merriman, has steamrolled the competition in the opening two rounds of the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship at Wauchope, near Port Macquarie (NSW), on March 7-8.

On Saturday, Merriman was one of the last riders away in the gruelling 2.5-hour cross-country race, but the 35-year-old charged through the pack to win by a massive 35 seconds from Ben Grabham (Motorex KTM Off-Road Racing). The WR450F pilot maintained this form on Sunday, winning six of the eight sprint stages and collecting another maximum point haul to claim class (Pro E2) and outright wins across both rounds.

"The bike was great out there all weekend, although Saturday was a bit of an unknown," said Merriman. "I hadn't done anything like cross country before, but was able to work my way back through the pack.

"Sunday was a lot of fun, there is some really tough competition within the Australian ranks so it was good to round out the weekend with another win.

"I'm looking forward to the next event, I'm certain it will be just as challenging."

In round one, Grabham led the race for several laps before being passed by Merriman.

"I'm rapt. New team and first race of the year, to be on the outright podium and not only that, to get second to Stefan Merriman is probably like a win to me at this stage," Grabham said. "I'm happy as and I'm pretty buggered."

Third outright (and in E2) went to Merriman's teammate Jarrod Bewley, with GHR Honda Racing's AJ Roberts, Shannon Lewry (Husaberg), Toby Price (MSC Kawasaki), Chris Hollis (Husqvarna), Kirk Hutton (Ballard Wellard Yamaha), Geoff Braico (Suttos/KTM) and Jehi Willis (Husqvarna) rounding out the top 10.

Hutton and Braico won E1 and E3 respectively.

On Sunday, Merriman prevailed in a heated battle today with defending champion, Hollis, winning by just seven seconds.

Third was Price from Bewley, AJ Roberts, Grabham, Ben Kearney (Motorex KTM Off Road Racing), Braico, Hutton and Josh Green (MSC Kawasaki).

Kearney was the E1 winner, and is now co-leader with Hutton. Meanwhile, Braico extended his lead in the E3 championship after successive victories.

In the remaining championship classes, reigning Alison Parker (Yamaha, Women), Geoff Ballard (Masters) and Stuart Bennett (Veterans) came out on top.

The opening AORC weekend also saw the debut of the BMW Motorrad Racing Team, with the five-rider equip competing across the Pro, Expert, Clubman, Veteran and Masters classes on the G 450 X.

Luka Bussa has the toughest gig in the E2 pro class, and it was a baptism of fire for the 18-year-old in Port Macquarie as he finished 13th on both days.

"The E2 class is so tough, it was my first major race on a 450 and I haven't raced many cross-country style races," said Bussa. "It really took it out of me, and I didn't recover well for the races on Sunday.

"I need to step up my training and get more familiar with my G 450 X. My racebike is so trick, and all the other riders were checking it out over the weekend.

"I know I can improve and get up towards the top 10. It will take a lot of hard work, but I am up for the challenge."

For results, standings, photos and videos from the AORC, click here.

Rounds three and four of the will be held at Hobby's Yards (near Blayney, NSW) on May 16-17.