Stefan Merriman and his Aprilia RXV 5.5 have written another page in enduro history. A new chapter in enduro history began yesterday when a world championship race was won for the very first time by an Italian four stroke twin. Today, the second day of the Italian Grand Prix at Piediluco near Terni saw a repeat performance. This double win in the E3 class has left a profound impression on the world of enduro racing and dispelled all doubt as to the validity of the Aprilia V twin design that has revolutionised the off-road scene.
Following success in the Italian Championship (in which Merriman and Aprilia topped the points table) and various podium places in the world championship, one weekend of racing has seen Aprilia taking the ultimate accolade of two first places and two overall seconds.
Merriman won 4 out of the 9 special trials on Saturday and 5 out of 11 on Sunday to finish first in the E3 class with over 34 seconds of advantage over his rival Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas) and 51 seconds over Sebastien Guillaume (Husqvarna).
Today another two Aprilias joined the “chorus of twins” in the top ten. Antoine Lettellier’s RXV 5.5 and Nicolas Paganon’s RXV 4.5 finished seventh in the E3 and E2 classes respectively. Deserved applause goes to the entire team of mechanics and engineers who have worked so hard to achieve this fantastic double and the other excellent positions.
The Italian Gran Prix ends with Aprilia triumphant. With only three bikes on the starting line, you can still take the lion’s share of points and wins!
Piediluco, Terni - Enduro World Championship – Italian GP 27-28 September
FIRST DAY
E2 class: 1. Johnny Aubert (Yamaha) 1:09:00.88; 2. Juha Salminen (KTM) +17.99 seconds; 3. Rodrig Thain (TM) +1:24.98; 4. Alex Belometti (KTM) +1:31.68; 5. Fabrizio Dini (Yamaha) +1:59.84; 7. Nicolas Paganon (Aprilia RXV 4.5) + 2:46.35.
E3 class: 1. Stefan Merriman (Aprilia RXV 5.5) 1:09:04.51; 2. Sebastien Guillaume (Husqvarna) +26.68 seconds; 3. Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas) +32.85 seconds; 4. Samuli Aro (KTM) +1:14.31; 5. Antoine Letelier (Aprilia RXV 5.5) +1:29.56.
SECOND DAY
E2 class: 1. Juha Salminen (KTM) 1:24:08.89; 2. Johnny Aubert (Yamaha) + 1:21.88; 3. Alex Belometti (KTM) +1:41.53; 4. Antoine Meo (Husqvarna) +1:41.88; 5. Rodrig Thain (TM) +1:54.76 seconds; 7. Nicolas Paganon (Aprilia RXV 4.5) + 3:16.48.
E3 class: 1. Stefan Merriman (Aprilia RXV 5.5) 1:24:36.47; 2. Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas) +34.31 seconds; 3. Sebastien Guillaume (Husqvarna) +51.16 seconds; 4. Alessandro Botturi (Honda) +1:04.75; 5. Marco Tarkalla (KTM) +1:07.81; 7. Antoine Letelier (Aprilia RXV 5.5) +1:39.33.