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.
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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!
