08.02.2010

Dawes breaks through for world championships win

Australian wheelchair athlete Christie Dawes has broken through for her first major international victory, winning the 10km World Road Race Championships in the United Arab Emirates.

Dawes out-sprinted a surging pack in the race home to take victory in a time of 23:58, less than a second ahead of the United Kingdom’s Shelly Woods and Canada’s Diane Roy.

The four-time Paralympian was overjoyed with the result.

“This is just awesome. I came here feeling strong and looking to contend but to finish as world champion is something else,” Dawes said.

“I’ve been pushing great the last couple of years and have been getting closer and closer to a big win, so to finally do it is a great relief. Hopefully it’ll be the first of a few this year.”

Fellow Australian Kurt Fearnley was not so lucky in the men’s race, finishing third in a time of 20:28.

Despite leading for the majority of the race Fearnley was overcome by France’s Julien Casoli and Denis Lemeunier in a tight finish. Seventeen men finished within 10 seconds of the winner, with the first four athletes all credited with the same time.

It was Fearnley’s first loss on the road over 10km since 2006 and while disappointed to see the end of his four-year winning streak, the 28-year-old New South Welshman was more than happy to celebrate with compatriot Dawes.

“Christie and I spend a lot of time together in training and racing around the world, and she’s always the first one there to congratulate me at the end of a race and share a celebratory beer,” Fearnley said.

“She’s come close so many times and to finally break through is testament to her mental toughness and character and I couldn’t be happier for her.”

Dawes and Fearnley now head back to Australia to finalise preparations for the international marathon season, which kicks off with the London Marathon in April. In London Fearnley will be looking to defend the title he won in 2009 and Dawes will be looking to improve on her fifth place from last year's race.