N.Z. Cyclists Training For World Titles

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31123, 28 July 1966, Page 19

N.Z. Cyclists Training For World Titles

(Special Crspdt. N.Z.P.A.) LONDON. Nine determined New Zealanders have arrived in Amsterdam, with their eyes firmly set on a world championship. They have labelled themselves the “New Zealand amateur cycling team for the world championships” and intend setting up training headquarters in Amsterdam before taking on the best the world can offer in Frankfurt during the championships, which start on August 25. Led by their team managei, Mr M. Alison, of Auckland, the seven-man competitive team will be captained by R.

D. Johnstone, who has represented New Zealand on three previous occasions, at the Empire Games in Cardiff and Perth, and the Tokyo Olympic Games. Missed Games Team Before the team left London for Amsterdam, Mr Alison said: “New Zealand has never been so strong in the field of competitive cycling, and the present team are men who only just missed selection for the Empire Games in Jamaica. “Most of them are just as good as those selected and we felt >t a pity that they were not being provided with an opportunity of showing their skill—hence the reason for our present trip.” The team will spend a week in Amsterdam training before moving on to Belgium for sev-

eral races and further “tun-ing-up” road trials. These are aimed, in the words of assistant team-mana-ger, Mr L. Tall, “so that we will be at peak fitness for the world championships.” This is the first time that New Zealand has been represented at the world champion, ships and the team hopes that it will bring back some medals, especially in the team trial road races. “We must set a good example for those teams that follow in our footsteps,” said Mr Alison. “I hope New Zealand will now send a team to the world championships every year.” The present trip has cost £770 a man, of which each team member has paid £lOO himself, with the remainder coming from public subscription.