His rivals know better.

While veteran Wright insists his priorities remain on the track with a place in Bermuda's team for this summer's CAC Games the ultimate goal, a convincing victory in yesterday's 18th annual Evian ten miler might have put paid to the argument that up and coming Jay Donawa has already stepped into the shoes of the Island's former undisputed "king of the road'' Kavin Smith.

Smith was again on the sidelines yesterday, but even Donawa couldn't match strides with Wright who romped to his second road race triumph in successive weeks.

Wright leads way in 10 miler From Page 25 Winner of last week's Lindo's 10K over a tough, undulating course, Wright again showed he's a master of adverse conditions, battling against strong head winds over the last five miles to win in 55 minutes, 33 seconds -- more than 30 seconds faster than his victory in the same race a year ago.

Donawa followed in 55.57 with former winner Brett Forgesson third in 58.55.

Lynn Patchett, bemoaning the fact that neither of her closest rivals, defending champion Karen Adams and Maria Conroy Haydon, were in the field, cruised to an easy win in the women's division.

Patchett clocked 1:05.32, four and a half minutes clear of second placed Jane Christie. Alison Cameron placed third in 1:11.35.

Donawa, who showed his liking for the longer distances with victory in last November's half marathon, took an early lead yesterday but at the half-way turnaround it was Wright who had picked up the pace, and between seven and eight miles he broke away.

"I'm in good shape but that has a lot to do with the fact that I'm training with (national coach) Gerry Swan on the track,'' said Wright afterwards.

"I haven't really thought much about road races, not even May 24 (Marathon Derby). These are just good training runs.

"What I'm really aiming for is the CAC Games (in Venezuela in August). I'd like to qualify in either the 5,000 or 10,000 metres.'' While Patchett is also training under Swan, she admits her focus is on May 24, a race she's never won, and possibly some overseas events later in the year.

But while enjoying yesterday's victory, she would have preferred more competition.

"It would have been nice if Karen (Adams) or Maria (Conroy Haydon) could have run, because I was never really pushed. I went out hard, and then slowed a little coming back into the wind.'' Full results, see Scoreboard.

PERFECT TEN -- Tracy Wright crosses the line first in yesterday's Evian 10 mile road race, repeating his victory of a year ago with a time some 30 seconds faster.