Tabak Nominated For Games Cycling Team

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31043, 26 April 1966, Page 20

Tabak Nominated For Games Cycling Team

[From Our Cycling Reporter] A dominant figure in the 120-miles of the tough, hilly final Empire Games cycling trial on Saturday, Canterbury’s 19-year-old T. J. Tabak has won nomination for the Empire Games road cycling team.

The Dutch-born Tabak, now certain to be chosen by the Olympic and Empire Games selectors, will be Canterbury’s first Games cycling representative since L. P. Lock in 1950 and 1954.

Tabak has been graded third in the complete list of nominations, behind the captain, L. J. Byers (Auckland), and R. D. Thomson (Auckland), and ahead of the other member of the road team, D. R. Thomson (Wellington), and the five track nominees.

While Tabak has won a place, G. Grey from Waikato will be wondering about the

selectors’ policy statements. Grey outsprinted the best field brought together in New Zealand in the final trial at Forest Hill. Although the selection policy reads, “The main requirement for selection will be brilliant form in the national trial with a prior record as a good road cyclist,"’ Grey was not picked. His “prior record” includes the 1964 New Zealand road championship and an Olympic trial the same year. The convener of the selection panel (Mr H. R. Dutton, of Wellington), when ques-

ationed on this, said that “form” meant form for the complete 120 miles, not mere-

ly the first rider home. He said the selectors could not pick a man who did not show up at all during the race—a valid point possibly as Grey certainly did not do much work. “Brilliant Race” Mr Dutton considered that Tabak “rode a brilliant race.” Tabak dominated the race from his first, very minor breakaway after 14 miles to about a mile from the finish when he jumped the field and took R. D. Johnstone (Auckland) away with him. For mile after mile of the arduous long-climbing circuit, he led the bunch or was near the front, mostly with Byers on his wheel. At the 100 miles Tabak broke away and poured on the pace. A. J. Ineson (Southland) caught him after a mile and the two increased their lead to as much as 400 yards. They kept this for eight miles, although losing a little on the few down-grades, until the bunch, led by R. D. Thomson, gathered them in, Ineson first as he had started losing contact after six miles. Fell From Cycle With nine miles to go, G. King (Auckland) and Byers made a brief dab up Cut HUI and a mile later, there was a mild sensation when D. R. Thomson stopped, lost consciousness, and fell off his bicycle. The winner of a regional trial, he was nevertheless still nominated for the road team as the selectors considered a crash on Tuesday and the after-effects had left him in poor health. At 113 miles, it was Tabak again with Byers and Johnstone who strung the bunch out a little, coming down the Walrau road hill for the last time. Two miles later, Tabak led the bunch up Forest Hill. Two miles from the finish, Ineson shot into a 50 yards lead, realised he was alone, and waited for the field. About half a mile later. Tabak made his jump with Johnstone, but they were gathered in before the sprint, which started on a long stretch on narrow road. Twelve Survlvora Twelve riders were still left and, with the exception of B. Goldsworthy, who was well to the rear, they were virtually elbow-to-elbow. Grey, the 1964 New Zealand champion, was clearly there first. Byers equally clearly second, and J. Ludlam (Waikato) headed in the rest. The time, very commendable for the course, was shr 3mln IS.Ssec. Tabak, seventh to finish, had a crumb of comfort from the race—naturally apart from his selection. He set a single lap record of 35min 56sec, breaking King’s time of 36min ssec, set earlier in the race. The circuit was 14.8 miles. Result: G. Grey (Waikato) 1, L. J. Byers (Auckland) 2, J. Ludlam (Waikato) 3, N. R. Robinson (Auckland) 4, R. D. Johnstone (Auckland) 5, M. W. Grace (Auckland) 8. G. King (Auckland) 7, A. J. Ineson (Southland) 8, T. J, Tabak (Canterbury) 9 R. D. Thomson (Auckland) 10, B. Beeston (Auckland) 11.