Stockwell’s 100-mile title

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32407, 21 September 1970, Page 18

Stockwell’s 100-mile title

B. G. Stockwell returned to his best form when he won his second Canterbury 100 -mile senior cycling championship at Rangiora on Saturday.

Stockwell rode to his prerace plan of remaining with the bunch on the first circuit and then applying pressure near the end of the last lap. These tactics he used about 20 miles from the finish, and as Stockwell forged ahead it appeared that he would win comfortably. However, I. McLean and M. Cameron stayed togethet some 300 yards behind Stockwell, and by combining well kept within striking distance of him. When Cameron suffered his second puncture, McLean was forced to bridge the gap to Stockwell alone. This he did, and at the Ashley River—about two miles from the finish—both riders were together again. Stockwell led as they sprinted the last 880 yards down Ashley Street to the finish, and although a determined last spurt brought McLean to within a length of Stockwell at the line, he never looked like passing him. Nine left in race After the first circuit, nine of the original 18 riders were left in the race. Stockwell led McLean, R. E. Bush, R. Kennedy. Cameron, and G. Ireland through the first 50 miles, with A. Hood 50 yards behind this group. R. Williams and A. Stewart were 6min behind, and had little chance of making contact with the front bunch. One surprise withdrawal at this point was H. R. Bush, who won the event last year and was expected to be a leading contestant in this year’s race. Bush said later that he had still not recovered from a throat infection, and had had difficulty in breathing. Hood rejoined the bunch soon after the half-way mark, and these six riders stayed together as they cycled into a head wind towards Cust. At Oxford, Ireland had tailed off, but the other five remained in a bunch until crossing the Ashley Gorge bridge. At this stage, Stockwell made his move and reached speeds of 40 m.p.h. in dropping off Kennedy, Bush, and Hood in that order. Ten miles out, only three riders had winning chances, but with Cameron’s puncture it was left to McLean to add interest to the race by running Stockwell close. Hood continued strongly to finish third, while the unlucky Cameron staved off Bush’s challenge for fourth. Results were:—

Stockwell (Papanui), 4:14:2, 1; McLean „ (Papanui), 4:14:3, 2; Hood (Papanui), 4:14:33. 3; Cameron (Westport), 4:16:27, 4; R. Bush (Papanui), 4:16:29, 5; Kennedy (Avon), 4:20:40, 6; A. Stewart (Papanui), 4:42:14, 7; R. Williams (Papanui), 4:42:14.5, 8; Handicap section: McLean (30sec), 4:13:33, 1; Stockwell (scr), 4:14:2, 2; Hood (30seC), 4:14:3, 3; Kennedy (61min),

Juniors disqualified The junior 50-mile championship was won for the second consecutive year by the Papanui rider, J. Mullan, after a close sprint with L. Paviell, C. Tabak,

and P. Neale. Twenty-four seconds later, K. Grogan arrived In fifth place to find that he had won the championship as the first four had been disqualified for riding along the wrong side of the road. At the start, all riders had been warned to stay on the correct side of the white Une yet, the referee (Mr H. Lltolff), Had cause to fine nine riders for breaching this rule during the race. As the four leaders sprinted towards the line, they shifted across the road so that they were virtually riding in the gutter on the wrong side. "It was the most disgusting display of riding I have ever seen,” said one race official. An appeal by the cyclists concerned was dismissed by an appeals committee, Grogan being declared the winner. It was unfortunate for Mullan who had continually attacked for most of the race, had succeeded in splitting the field, and had won the sprint.

Placings were:— Grogan (Papanui), 2:9:28, 1; G. Neale (Papanui), 2:10:13, 2; K. Radbumd (Avon), 2:10:19, 3; D. Hubbard (Avon), 2:12:20, 4: C. Stockwell (Papanui), 2:12:22, 5; R. Reid (Avon), 2:15:21, 6. Handicap section: Stockwell (ISmln), 1:57:22, 1; Hubbard (13min), 1:59:20, 2; Reid (14mln), 2:1:21, 3.

Novice championship P. Jesson (Malrehau), the South Island novice champion, proved too strong for a large field of novices, in the 16-mlle Canterbury championship. He broke away near Sefton, and had soon established a 100 yd lead. Maintaining a steady pace, he held on to win convincingly by 300 yd from the Tlmaru boy, w. Howes. Howes lost a chain soon after the start, and his performance in rejoining the field, then

riding through it to finish second, was a meritorious one. In a close sprint, M. Maxwell narrowly took third place. Results were:—

Jesson (Mairehau), 40:47, 1; Howes (Tlmaru), 41:14, 2; Maxwell (Rangiora), 41:14.5, 3; P. Radbumd (Mairehau), 41:15, 4; K. Day (Rangiora), 41:15.5, 5. Handicap section: R. Ramage, 38:28, 1; M. Garrett, 39:46, 2; P. Basher, 39:52. 3.