SOLDIER Tony Altass has been revved out of retirement to surge into world championship motor-cycling manoeuvres, writes Tony Kelly.

The York-based warrant officer (two class) has been selected as part of the Great Britain team to compete in this week's International Six-Day Enduro world championships to be held in France.

And his dramatic call to leather-clad arms was a major surprise to the man currently serving in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers regiment at Catterick.

Altass explained how he thought his international motor-cycling days were over some three years ago when he last competed in the enduro world championships, then staged in Australia.

Signing off with a magnificent silver in the individual discipline Altass fully believed he would then be riding into the sunset far away from top-class competition.

But sparkling again in fine form in local events this year convinced the British selectors that the 37-year-old speedster still had what it takes to drive and thrive. Hence his recruitment into the GB ranks representing the Army.

""I thought all this was way past me. But I have been riding locally, including at Wilberfoss, and the selectors called me up," said the man, who has been 21 years in the Army, and a long-time competitor in enduro, described by him as rallying on motor-bikes.

"I am quite a bit older than the others in the British squad, but in my first proper competition last week I was 15th overall and that convinced them I could do a job."

Altass' memories of his last world title crack in the land of Oz still burn brightly - and not just for the silver streak of that marvellous medal.

He recalled how a full two days of the championships just outside Melbourne were postponed because of torrential downpours.

Altass and the two other members of the GB squad were expecting fairer elements at the circuit at Brive le Gaillarde in mid-France thist week in an event, where, after a gruelling day in the saddle, competitors then only have 15 minutes before racing the nextday to attend to their bikes.

Altass has just taken delivery of his new Honda-backed machine, which has been honed to perfection by mechanic Mark Fisher of the National Trail Bikes racing company based at Wigginton.

Updated: 11:43 Tuesday, August 21, 2001