PRAISE FROM CYCLISTS

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31579, 17 January 1968, Page 13

PRAISE FROM CYCLISTS

'J'HREE of New Zealand’s strongest and fastest track cyclists, J. A. Dean (New Plymouth), J. H. Cleary (Canterbury) and H. J. Kent (Wellington), should form the basis of a national 4000 metres pursuit team. In an interview before he left Christchurch for Australia last week, the German teams’ pursuit rider, K. H. Henrichs, told “The Press” he thought these three, with “another good, strong rider,” could form a pursuit team capable of performing well at the Olympic Games. All three have won New Zealand titles in the strength-speed events, the kilometre time trial and the individual pursuit. Cleary won national kilometre gold medals in 1965 (junior) and 1966 (senior). Dean won the same event in the junior grade in 1966 and 1967, and the junior individual pursuit in 1965. Kent, in his first appearance at the national

championships, won last year’s senior time trial title and was a member of the fine Wellington pursuit team. Cleary is one of New Zealand’s best pursuit team riders and has been a member of New Zealand cham-pionship-winning teams for four years. The Germans, Henrlchs and K. Kobusch, considered Dean, who beat each of them in sprints at Wanganui, the best cyclist they saw in Nev. Zealand, and placed Cleary, Kent and M. F. Vertongen in the next bracket. They considered the top Southland sprinter, P. H. Robinson, to be lacking in basic speed for sprints but very clever. Conversely, the Canterbury sprinter, M. W. Litolff, they said was fast enough but lacked Robinson’s knowledge. Discussing other aspects of New Zealand track cycling, Henricbs said that although handicap racing was good for sprinters, it was not fair to back-markers, and the races were too short. The Germans were also surprised that there was not more madison riding in this country; they considered it good training for all types of riders. “It is possible to hold madisons, even without a great number of very good riders, by using handicap points,” said Henrlchs. They were also impressed by the organisation of the tour and were very pleased to receive a full itinerary the day they arrived in Christchurch. “We would rather stay here another two or three weeks than go back to Australia,” said Henrlchs with a sigh.