Cyclist Unlucky To Be Omitted

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31061, 17 May 1966, Page 19

Cyclist Unlucky To Be Omitted

[Bu Our Cycling Reporter) It is an indication of the rising standards of New Zealand cycling that eight of the nine nominees gained selection, six of these in the A category.

But the only cyclist left behind will be P. H. Robinson (Southland), the country's outstanding sprinter and a member of a very fine Southland 10-mile team.

Robinson has demonstrated at the highest levels —New Zealand championships and Commonwealth Games trials—that he is the perfect foil in the 10 miles to D. L. Booth. It is possible that with Robinson to lead him out in the final lap. Booth would be capable of winning a medal, even the gold. This is not to suggest that Robinson’s sole value lies in. helping Booth. A season ago, he beat D. Perkins, the Australian, in the sprints in the tests in New Zealand and Perkins is Australia’s top sprint selection for the games. The two riders lucky to make the team, J. A. Bigwood (Auckland) and G. F. Wright (Wellington), have been placed in events in addition to those for which they were nominated. Bigwood will ride the sprint as well as the 10 miles, and Wright, the time trial nominee, will complete the 10 miles team. If Robinson had been chosen for the sprint he would have strengthened New Zealand’s hand—possibly to the extent of a medal—and a combination of Booth, Robinson and Wright in the 10 miles would have given the team one rider capable of forcing the pace, another to finish strongly, and one to drag him through to the front.

New Zealand’s strength in road cycling and performances at previous Commonwealth Games is reflected by the placing of all four cyclists in the A category. An interesting feature is the selection of brothers for the first time in a cycling team. Both have ridden previously for New Zealand. R D. Thomson at the Perth Empire Games in 1962 and D. R. Thomson at the Tokyo Olympics two years later. The captain, L. J. Byers,

won a bronze medal at Perth and was inches off another at Tokyo. The fourth member, T. J. Tabak, is this season in his first year officially as a senior; he was 20 only 11 days ago.

The youngest in the team is the promising 18-year-old Nelson pursuit rider, D. A. Comparini.