THOMSON SET FOR TOUR

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31378, 25 May 1967, Page 15

THOMSON SET FOR TOUR

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) LONDON. The New Zealand cyclist, D. R. Thomson, described as “encouraging” his riding form only a few days before the start of the 1400mile Tour of Britain.

Last Sunday, he won a 90mile road race at Lincoln in 3hr 48min. The field totalled 40 riders, including three members of the English team for the Tour of Britain. Thomson finished half a minute ahead of a group of three riders. Most of the other competitors were another 30sec behind them, with P. Smith, the British time

trial champion, among the latter group. The race was the largest in which Thomson has ridden since his arrival in Britain three weeks ago. In the tour, in which he will lead a team of international riders from overseas, he is expected to provide some sparkling duels with P. Buckley (Britain). In the last Commonwealth Games road race Buckley won the gold medal and Thomson the silver.

Last year’s team winner, Russia, is returning with the over-all individual runner-up, S. Shepel, and what promises to be the nucleus of its Mexico City Olympic squad. Russia’s great rival, Poland, is sending a team too, led by the 1966 points classification winner, F. Surminski. Other teams come from Britain, Switzerland, France and Italy.