CYCLIST GOES NORTH AGAIN

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31365, 10 May 1967, Page 21

CYCLIST GOES NORTH AGAIN

(By Out CticUng Reporter.! The wanderings of Canterbury’s former New Zealand cycling representative, S. J. Stephen, between Christchurch and Auckland, have entered another phase. The 19-yearold Stephen has left for Auckland again, and again he has said he is going there “for good.” In the last 12 months, Stephens’s comings and goings have been a constant source of bewilderment to his club (Avon) officials and Canterbury selectors. Immediately after the New Zealand track championships last year, Stephen moved to Rotorua— temporarily—with his firm. He came back from time to time during the win-

ter road racing season, and was the dominant rider in the Canterbury centre Air New Zealand Grand Prix. But in July, he went to the North Island for the New Zealand final of the Grand Prix and did not return. He was next located in Auckland, where he was working, and winning races, and stated that he wished to ride for Auckland in the national road championships. However, Stephen did not have a clearance from the Avon club or the Canterbury centre—he had not requested these—and finally he rode for Canterbury and finished fifth in the national junior 50-mile championship. , Track Championships

Stephen came back to the South Island for the track meetings in the ChristmasNew Year period and said ho was back "for good.” Representation in tiie New Zealand track championships in March followed and then Stephen was aiway again. Stephen is one of the most talented cyclists in New Zealand—end also one of the most erratic. He appears to be unsure if he should concentrate on track pursuits or being a strong man in road racing. But twice in two meetings this year he has been beaten by B. G. Stockwell, a first-year amateur track rider, in pursuits, and this could militate against Stephen’s interest in track riding. But if he wishes to reach the top in road cycling, it is difficult to understand Stephen’s return to Auckland. That centre, once so power ful, is in a decline—perhaps only temporarily—and the opposition Stephen will probably meet would not be as strong as Canterbury fields.