CYCLING Games Selection Spur To Riders

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29909, 24 August 1962, Page 17

CYCLING Games Selection Spur To Riders

The New Zealand 100-mile champion, R. S. Thomson (Wellington), and a past-title-holder. G. Lankow (Wanganui), will both have Empire Games’ selection in mind when they compete off the scratch mark in the Christchurch Club’s “Round the Gorges” cycling race tomorrow.

With 26 visiting riders, the field is exceptionally strong, and the pace from the back of the field, set by Thomson and Lankow, will be fast aixi furious. Fifty-five entries have been received and the field has been divided into 10 bunches The scratch bunch of five also includes Thomson's brother, and two local riders, B. Berry and K. Jeffery.

filled the first two places in the Timaru to Christchurch race three weeks ago. Local Men Prominent Two local riders on this mark. R. Fowler, and G. Painter (Avon), are certain to help the bunch along. as will the veteran H Hlibber, of Invercargill. A further challenge will come from M. Ritchie (ChrKdchurch) and A Clemence, riding from the 54m:n mark.

The course has been altered near the finiah and the riders will not have to travel over the long shingle road from Aylesbury to Burnham. The limit riders will leave Papanui at 9 am. and the scratch men an hour later.

They will be giving away seven minutes to the break men who. if they can keep together, should cause the scratch men some anxious moments.

The 25min butnch should have every opportunity, for it contains G. Halewood and G. Hill (Invercargill), who