STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30562, 3 October 1964, Page 11

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

On the evidence of the road race at the 1962 Empire Games, New Zealand has considerable ability in team cycling. At Perth the four New Zealand representatives gained second, third, eighth and tenth places in a field of 37 by adhering determinedly to a plan in which two riders covered the front of the bunch while the other two rested at the rear. New Zealand’s five-man contingent at Tokyo has two assignments—the time trial and the road race—and team tactics could play a big part in both events. Two of the five, L. J. Byers and R. D. Johnstone, took part in the race at Perth and the strength, stamina and keen appreciation of tactics they showed on that occasion points to experienced leadership at Tokyo. Byers and Johnstone have had bad smashes in their road racing careers—Johnstone, indeed, was close to

paralysis—-but both have fought their way back to the top of the field. For both men it was a painful battle but the courage they showed in overcoming disability and regaining strength and speed has helped mould them into tough, resilient riders. The other New Zealanders, D. R. Thomson, M. W. Grace and W. A. F. Candy, confirmed their ability in the Olympic trials and should prove trusty lieutenants to Byers and Johnstone.