ROAD RACE TO KAIKOURA

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28368, 29 August 1957, Page 15

ROAD RACE TO KAIKOURA

The Christchurch Cycling Club will hold the Christchurch to Kaikoura road race on Saturday. Last year when it was revived after many years, this race was a great success. It used to be Christchurch to Kaikoura and return. but now the race is run only to Kaikoura. There are 33 starters, the same as last year, but for this race there are some notable riders, who did not take part last year. These include C. Herbert (Auckland), D. Kingsford (Waihi). M. Moberlev (Palmerston North). D. Gunderson (New Plymouth), and D. Charles (Nelson), as well as riders from Tlmaru and the West Coast. Scratch Men

Herbert, Kingsford, and Mobberley will make up the scratch mark, with G. Milner and S. McCracken. Milner took fastest time last year, but his chances may not be quite so good as last "year, although he is one of the best hill riders in New Zealand. Herbert and Kingsford are also experienced hill riders and Herbert is just at home on the flat as on the hills, and it is possible that he may set such a pace over the flat country that he may shake off the other riders and have a good lead when the hills are reached. Such tactics are not beyond Herbert. The break bunch is also very strong, with Gundersen, J. Wildermoth. and P. Doyle the most outstanding. These riders, with 10 minutes’ start on the scratch riders, have every opportunitv if they keep up to their work. They will have with them D. Stubbings and E. McGuigan (Timaru) and these two should do well over the flat.

Co-markers

On the 20-minute mark is Charles, the Nelson scratch rider, and this mark should suit him. He will have as a co-marker D. Cserepanyi, the Hungarian tour champion. Cserepanyi is a 200kilometre rider with great aptitude for hills. A rider who may be close up at the finish is T. Shepherd, who has been riding exceedingly well this season, and from the 27-minute mark he has every chance. With such a quality field an excellent race is expected, with most interest centring round the scratch and break marks, from which fastest time is expected to come, and, if a head wind is encountered it is quite possible for the back markers to go right through the field. This is one of the most gruelling races in New Zealand and to cover approximately 120 miles over such country a rider must be really fit