CYCLING Thrilling Finish To N.Z. Junior 50-Mile Road Title

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29324, 1 October 1960, Page 15

CYCLING Thrilling Finish To N.Z. Junior 50-Mile Road Title

(New Zealand Press Association)

INVERCARGILL, Sept. 30. In the most thrilling finish seen in a national cycling event for many I years, the Wanganui rider. N. Ander- ■ son, won the New Zealand junior 50-mile road championship at Makarewa today. Only three seconds separated the field of 34 riders, who spread across the road for the final sprint. Anderson led about 300 yards from home, and held on to win by half a length from G. Grey, of Waikato, who shaded the fast-finishing Otago. Southland rider. G. Sycamore, for second. D. Nigh (Auckland) was fourth, ahead of D. Thomson (Wellington), G. Butterworth (Waikato), and P. McCallum (Otago-Southland). Conditions were perfect, and wtth a steady pace on throughout the excellent tune of 2hr Iflmin 22sec was recorded. Last year's time was 2hr 17min. Attempts to break the field were few and far between. The Canterbury pair surprised onlookers whan they streaked away to a lead in the sixth lap of the *3* mile circuit It was not until about a mile and • half later that they were returned to the bunch. Wellington's main hope. and a strongfavoortte for the title, G. Wright, crashed after 18 miles. He was taken to Kew Hospital for aU teation and dtocharged. Ha Injured bio elbow to the fall. Ho was the third of flee riders to lose their chances during the race. A. Summers (Waikato). W.Thorpa (Canterbury), and G. Tapp (Wellington), and another Waikato rider, B. King, met with pedal trouble after 25 mile*. Results:—N. Anderson (West Coast. North Island) 1, G. Grey (Waikato)

2 G. Sycamore (Otago-Southland) 3, D. Nigh (Auckland) 4, D. Thomson (Wellington) 5. G. Butterworth (Waikato) 6. Time, 2hr lOmin 32sec.