Satisfactory effort by Canterbury's cyclists

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32119, 15 October 1969, Page 13

Satisfactory effort by Canterbury's cyclists

WITH place-getters in all ’’ events, including first in the teams’ time-trial and second in the over-all teams' shield contest, Canterbury cycling supporters have reason to feel pleased with the performance of their provincial representatives at the national roadcycling championships in Auckland recently. The teams’ shield was won by Auckland with 11 points. Canterbury scored nine. Unfortunately, points are only assessed on performances in the individual races, with five for first, three for second and one for third. Last year at the meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Cycling Association it was decided that the points should also be awarded for the time trial However, the cyclists ar-

rived at the championships this year to find that the decision had not been implemented. Otherwise Canterbury and Auckland would both have gained 14 points and shared the shield. In the senior 100 kilometres time-trial the Canterbury team of B. Stockwell, V. Sullivan, H. Bush and W. Thorpe was first, ahead of Auckland. Some comment was made about Canterbury’s luck in the victory as the Auckland rider, B. Biddle, had to retire early in the race with mechanical trouble. Consequently, the Auckland team, reduced to three, had to take care that all stayed together as the rules stipulated that only one person could be dropped. The Canterbury riders took a time-check from their manager, Mr A. Day, every 10 kilometres and aimed to average 14min be- , tween each check. The idea

was to set a speed which could be continued right through the race and although Auckland had a lOsec lead after the first cheek this was expected. Much of the work in the race was done by Stockwell with good assistance in the first half from Sullivan. However, Sullivan, the newcomer to this team, tired and his place was taken by Thorpe. Because of his work in the first half, the others decided to help Sullivan stay with them and he was only dropped with three miles to go. By this stage there was a good lead on Auckland: had the times been much closer the team members feel that Sullivan could have been dropped much sooner and the pace stepped up. As it was, they had a lead of 2min l&sec on Auckland at the finish. The Mairehau rider, R. Knight, showed that he was the most exciting young cycling prospect in New Zealand when he won the novice 15-mile race. Knight won this race over a hilly course riding a fixed-wheel bicycle and before the race some thought this was suicidal. A large bunch appeared at the beginning of the final straight of about one mile. With 600 yards to go, Knight came from the back of the bunch, turned on the power and went right through. P. Skogstad (West Coast-North Island), who was second, had Knight's wheel, tried to go alone, and realising that it was not worth it dropped back. The young Papanui rider, J. Mullan, produced an outstanding ride to come third in the Junior 50-mile championship. This was a very gruelling race and at the finish Mullan had to fight with all his energy to stay in the placings. A very fine effort in this race was produced by another Canterbury rider, D. McEvoy, who was caught by the bunch. He immediately went to the back in order to have a “rest” and almost at once the pressure went on. McEvoy, along with many other of New Zealand’s best junior riders, was left straggling. With “name” riders like L. Paviell, p. Brydon and P. Neale, peeling off all around him, McEvoy grimly

fought his way back into the bunch and when the final straight appeared, knowing that he could not sprint, made the break at the 880 yards mark. He was the only rider dropped to get back to the leading bunch, although he was finally unplaced. B. Stockwell showed the benefit- of his recent intensive training to come second in the senior 100 mile championship. Stockwell, who has not been very impressive in recent Canterbury road-races directed all his training towards the New Zealand championships and this paid off handsomely. His hard training and the relaxation that he was able to get in the week of the championships enabled him to produce his best form when it mattered most.

The 100 mile championship became a race between two bunches, the first of 10 riders. An initial break was made and the lead bunch was pursued by D. Thompson (Auckland) and Thorpe. With the assistance of his team-mate, I. MacLean, Stockwell was able to catch these two and shortly afterwards Thorpe dropped back, to be later passed by Biddle and D. Brown (West Coast-North Island). Over the last few laps the Wellington riders, H. Kent and B. Cornish who had been in the initial break, were dropped, mainly because of Stockwell’s aggressive riding. Over the final hills he was continually forcing the pace and was very much in control, although he was defeated in the final sprint by Biddle.