STEVE DAWES comfortably beat his time from stage two over the same five-mile course, when the challenge returned to the cliff paths last evening. Dawes won the time trial in a fine 31min. 44sec., 57sec. quicker than his race winning time.

His latest victory gives him a comfortable 2-09 advantage on youngster Mark Mercier going into this evening’s seventh and final stage, a cross-country in Herm.

It was a good evening for all the divisional leaders.

Ashley Ward stretched his lead in Two to nearly three minutes by finishing 76sec. up on rival Danny Shaw, while in Three Stephen Hunt moved further clear of Earl Manning.

Young Andy Carre has improved with virtually every stage and by finishing 32nd overall on the time trial is now 2min. 18sec. ahead of nearest challenger, John Stuart.

In the juniors, Matt Loveridge again won comfortably from Danny Carre.