Robinson Fifth, And First N.Z. Cyclist To Finish

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30826, 11 August 1965, Page 15

Robinson Fifth, And First N.Z. Cyclist To Finish

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright*

LAUNCESTON, August 10.

The Auckland rider, N. Robinson, who finished fifth was the first New Zealander home in the 500-mile, four-day amateur cycling tour of Northern Tasmania, which ended yesterday.

The race was won by the Australian Olympic competitor, R. Bilney, of Melbourne. He had a 21-minute margin over D. Wilson, of Melbourne. His total time was 23hr 21min 39sec, and he also took the King of the Mountains title. The tour is Australia's toughest road cycling event and the win gave Bilney his best performance in Australia.

One of six New Zealanders who competed, Robinson was nearly seven minutes behind the winner, his time being 23hr 28min. The placings of the other New Zealand riders were: D. Thomson (Wellington) 7, L. O’Reilly (Auckland) 12, I. Anderson (Auckland) 18, J. Ludlam (Waik.-to) 19, S. Stephen (Canterbury) 22. Thomson finished sixth in the King of the Mountains, won a stage finish on the last day and was second in the final sprint. Stephen, the “baby" of the race, at 17, had several spills but was not injured. The New Zealand team had 12 punctures on the final day, Robinson and Stephen four each. Robinson put up a plucky breakaway ride over one 18 L mile stretch and headed the field for 53 minutes.