Land Rover G4 Challenge
Tactical Choices and Girl Power
30.04.2006
The energetic 29-year-old, who sits just one point behind current leader, South Africa’s Martin Dreyer, will team up with Belgium’s Kris Janssens in a formidable double act. ‘Perhaps he read my mind,’ said Dmitry. ‘I’m very happy with the partnership. We got to know each other at International Selections, and he would have been my choice.’
Displaying immediate focus, he said the team must ensure they get into the top three in tomorrow’s Strategy Pit – the competition kicking off each Stage which determines your daily start time – and which is a major influence in how many activities you fit into your day.
His reaction, in the warm night air swirling around the Plaza Hotel’s rooftop swimming pool, contrasted with the cold disappointment of Martin Dreyer. He was selected by Japan’s Takashi Sugiyama, the oldest competitor in the Challenge, who finished 16th on the first Stage.
‘The curse of the Yellow Jersey strikes again,’ he sighed. ‘The only person it looks good on is Lance Armstrong. It’s nice to have a partner, who complements you, but I score points from racing hard, and Tak has just told me he doesn’t run fast – and he’s injured.
‘Strategy is everything for him, so we’re going to have to strategise. He’s the person who selected me so we’re going to have to make it work. He’s a very nice guy but he’s not the partner I’d have chosen and there are some very strong teams out there like Dmitry and Kris.’
Although both have formidable experience, it’s clearly not a match made in heaven. The South African also wasn’t Takashi’s first choice, but the 50-year-old executive now looked forward to being pushed hard and improving on his disappointing first stage result. ‘My only worry is that Martin’s very fit. I’m fit for my age but slower, and have the injury. It’s going to give him the opportunity to develop a strategy other than physical fitness.’
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