Tabak Just Fails To Gain Leader’s Jersey

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31513, 30 October 1967, Page 24

Tabak Just Fails To Gain Leader’s Jersey

(New Zealand Frau Association)

AUCKLAND.

The yellow jersey of race leader will be worn by the young Auckland rider S. J. Stephen when the Dulux Six-Day Auckland-to-Wellington cycle race field leaves Auckland today.

Stephen swept through a four-mile course along Tamaki Drive yesterday in 8 min 53sec, and will begin today six seconds ahead of the field. Whether Stephen will be

able to increase his lead when the conditions change from a near flat waterfront course to the rugged terrain of the centre of the North Island is a matter of doubt It seems more likely that the winner last year, T. J. Tabak (Canterbury), and the 1965 winner, D. R. Thomson

(Wellington), will begin to take command as the pressure increases. Yesterday, Tabak sped to second place behind Stephen, in Bmin 59sec, and Thomson was only Bsec slower. SURPRISE RIDE The surprise of the trial was provided by the Poneke cyclist, W. Cornish, whose racing this year has been limited by injury. Cornish finished with fourth fastest time and, bearing in mind his good rides in some of the stages last year, his effort could be a warning to the more highlyrated competitors. In the New South Wales camp there was a general feeling of satisfaction, and with good cause. R. I. Paris gained fifth fastest time, D. N. Watson was sixth equal, M. H. Walker was twentieth equal, and A. W. Miller twenty-eighth.

The race will be officially started by the Mayor of Auckland (Dr R. G. McElroy) at 8.45 a.m. today. The first stage will finish at Paeroa about 12.30 p.m. and the second stage at Tauranga about 4.30 p.m.

Results of yesterday’s trial (aggregate times): S. J. Stephen (Auckland), Smin 53sec, 1; T. J. Tabak (Canterbury), Smln SSsec, 2: D. R. Thomson (Wellington), Smln Ssec, 3; W. Cornish (Wellington), Smln 17sec, 4; R. I. Paris (New South Wales), Smln 26sec, 5: D. N; Watson (New South Wales), A. Ineson (Southland), Smin SSsec, 6; J. Ludlam (TaumarUnul), Smin 44sec, 8; J. D. Swanston (Christchurch), A. J. Baker (Wairoa), Smin 4«see, S; J. Danielson (Christchurch), Smin 48sec, 11; N. Lyster (Wellington), Smin 4Ssec, 12; H. J. Kent (Wellington), Smin SSsec, 13; B. G. Bate (Palmerston North), R. J. Hogan (Christchurch), I. E. Leaman (Hamilton), Smin SSsec, 14.