Australian Safari: Day 2

Cycle News Staff | August 21, 2000

South Australia’s Andrew Caldecott continued his domination of the Motorcycle division, extending his lead to 32 minutes on a KTM 660cc Rallye. The 36-year-old from Keith, who is the top seed, had been 15 minutes and 53 seconds in front after yesterday’s opening section. “Everything has gone really well, apart from a couple of mistakes when I went into some corners too hard,” said Caldecott. “I’m pushing on because I want to put a gap on the others to have a buffer in case I have a problem later in the week.”

American Casey McCoy retained second position, despite riding into a barbed-wire fence at high speed. He avoided crashing, but was delayed for four minutes while cutting his machine free from the fencing.

“I hit the wire at about 110 kilometers per hour [70 mph], and it wrapped itself around the wheel,” said McCoy. “Luckily I stayed upright and was able to get going again and finish the day.”

Former 500cc World Champion Road Racer Kevin Schwantz dropped back to 10th after crashing twice on his Suzuki DR-Z400. “I hit some bushes, which were as hard as rocks, and went down,” said the 35-year-old Texan. “I also got lost a couple of times, but I’m starting to get better at reading the maps. This was the longest day of the Safari in competitive distance, and I was happy to make it through and I’m still in the race.”

Japan’s Tomoyuki Fujita, a class winner in the 1999 Safari, suffered a broken collarbone after crashing his Yamaha TTD250. Another Japanese rider, Asaji Sugahara, crashed his Suzuki DR350 and was treated by St. John’s Ambulance personnel for concussion. His condition was not serious.

OVERALL POSITIONS (after Day 2 – Monday, August 21):

1. A. Caldecott (SA) KTM 660 Rallye 7:56.52

2. C. McCoy (U.S.) Honda XR400 8:28.52

3. T. Tervoert (SA) Husqvarna TE610E 8:34.10

4. R. Pollard (WA) KTM 640 Adventure 8:51.06

5. S. Blackney (GB) KTM 660 Rallye 9:10.25

6. G. Hoffman (NSW) KTM 620 9:21.32

7. A. Roberts (NT) Honda XR400 9:26.33

8. T. Kirby (NSW) Suzuki DR-Z400 9:27.12

9. T. Fitzhardinge (WA) KTM 660 Rallye 9:28.54

10. K. Schwantz (U.S.) Suzuki DR-Z400 9:33.20