Three Riders May Dominate

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30982, 11 February 1966, Page 13

Three Riders May Dominate

Close though most of the events should be, three riders appear likely to figure most prominently in the Canterbury track cycling championships, which start at English Park this evening.

They are the seniors R. Mann and J. Cleary, and the Avon junior, M. Litolff. The present national junior champion, Cleary, is the most likely winner of the 1000 metres time trial and should also do well in the 4000 metres pursuit. The national road champion, T. Tabak, may offer the most opposition in both these events, and so could C. Fitzgerald and T. Weir in the time trial. Last year’s junior pursuit champion. A. Hood, has only recently had stern opposition in this event and lack of practice could count against him. Cleary is also a contender for the sprints and the senior 10 miles, but the favourite for both these events is the titleholder. Mann. T. Weir, another past cham-

pion, is certain to provide stout opposition, especially in the sprints, and another who could come into it. is Fitzgerald. AU these riders, along with Tabak, appear to have the 10 miles under control but Mann, who has won for the last two years, must have a strong chance of winning again. Only in the individual pursuit is Litolff likely to be beaten. His sternest opposition in the time trials should come from S. Stephen and that rider, after a good performance on Wednesday night, is the leading contender for the pursuit title. For the rest —the sprints and the five miles —Litolff is a strong favourite, with only token resistance from P. Frisken and P. Wildermoth in both events and perhaps Stephen as well in the longer races.