Stern test for Stockwell at Denton Park today

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32524, 6 February 1971, Page 44

Stern test for Stockwell at Denton Park today

(By our cycling reporter) The Commonwealth Games individual pursuit medallist, B. G. Stockwell, should have his sternest test for many years—and the Canterbury public treated to probably the finest cycling it is likely to get outside a New Zealand championship meeting—at Denton Park today.

The Canterbury-Wel-lington inter-provincial meeting, to be followed tomorrow by an open meeting at English Park, includes many of New Zealand’s outstanding track cyclists.

Foremost is H. D. Kent, the New Zealand “Sportsman of the Year” in 1970, as well as the winner of most other

honours—but he will not be the only attraction. J. A. Dean, with the example to spur him on, has all the incentive he needs, and will provide Stockwell with his challenge in a 2000-metre individual pursuit. Canterbury’s other pursuit rider, A J. Hood, also has a tough opponent in R. Oliver, the former East Coast-North Island rider. Kent is riding a flying quar-

Iter-mile time trial. It is very likely the New Zealand resident record —M. F. Vertongen’s 25.3 sec—will be broken by him if not the open record (24.1 sec held by the Australian, G. L. Johnson, who is now world professional sprint champion. The best Canterbury can expect in this event is a second placing from M. W. Litolff or J. P. Mullan, but Wellington’s second rider, N. R Lyster. will also be very hard to beat. SPRINT SERIES Canterbury can reasonably expect some success in the sprint series, however, especially as D. A. Swanston is riding again and likes the Denton Park track for sprinting. P. D. Brydon, provided his health has recovered fully, should also win for Canterbury; but two young riders, R. E. Knight and L. M. Vette, will have harder jobs. One of the features, the scratch races apart, should be the 4000 metres team pursuit. Wellington has a very powerful trio of Kent, Dean, and Lyster, but D. F. Palatchie could be a weak link.

Canterbury’s Stockwell, Litolff. Mullan, and Hood are a very steady combination, however, and Canterbury pursuit teams have a habit of rising to the occasion. Canterbury is strengthened since the disastrous triangular meeting at Dunedin in December. Mullan has been full of power and strength, and the return of Swanston, and the rise of Knight and' Vette are welcome signs. I