Winning Australia: Old dogs of war lead Australia to victory in the International Challenge at Phillip Island

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Words: HAMISH COOPER Photos: RUSSELL COLVIN

As the young guns faltered due to mechanical issues, Australia’s grizzled old warhorses stepped up to hold off a determined Team USA and retain the International Challenge trophy.

Steve Martin and Shawn Giles, originals from the early days of the Island Classic’s showcase event, led Team Australia to victory, with Martin also winning the Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy as the highest individual point scorer.

Aaron Morris for Australia was in flying form for pole position on the Suzuki Katana.

Riding unfaired and unfancied Suzuki Katanas in a field of hybrid Yamaha-powered XR69 F1 thoroughbreds, Martin and Giles proved experience, steady nerves and guts delivers glory.

Martin has raced at all the International Challenges, with Giles joining him the year he retired from racing. Team UK was absent this year but replacing it was a pumped-up Team USA, with riders boasting more than 30 national championships between them.

Read more and view more images in the March/April 2019 issue of CR – on sale now!


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