IT MAY boast the biggest entry in its seven-year existence but the chase for the Division One and title of overall Abacus All-Terrain Challenge champion, looks unlikely to produce the interest previous events have. Steve Dawes has won the opening two stages by comfortable margins and providing he stays on his two feet it seems destined to go his way.
He blitzed the opposition in last evening’s tough five-mile cliff path race from Icart, clocking 32min. 41sec. for victory by almost two minutes-and-a-half from Paul Ingrouille.
Debutant Mark Mercier was a further 41sec. back and may well be the man to beat on this evening’s quick but punishing step climb from the foot of Telegraph Bay.
Tim Coates has also made a good start to the week, placing third in race one at Pleinmont and fifth yesterday.
It was only after Saturday’s opener that the record field were put into categories to match their ability and the various yellow jersey wearers after the opening weekend were Ashley Ward (Two), Stephen Hunt (Three) and John Stuart (Four).
Matt Loveridge is having much his own way in the new junior category, but Jonathan Bailey has produced two fine runs to hold second place overall.
In race one over 4km of closed road at Pleinmont, Dawes had to shake off the challenge of Mark mercier, making his All-Terrain debut.
The 16-year-old had forced the pace alongside Dawes over the early stages, but by halfway the senior was edging clear and turned for home with a six-second advantage.
Behind them Coates, one of the large number of newcomers, was lying third ahead of former winner Ingrouille, who found he had 14-year-old Matt Loveridge following his every stride.
Most of the nine under-15s making their series debut were also going well over the opening 2km, but paid a little for their fast starts.
Article posted on 9th August, 2004 - 12.00am
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