Support for revival of cycling races

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32589, 24 April 1971, Page 46

Support for revival of cycling races

(Ba R. M. CAIRNS) Support for the reintroduction of three of Canterbury’s major road-cycling races was pledged yesterday by Mr R. R. S. Treloar.

The three races, Round: the Harbour, Ashburton-to-Christchurch, and Round the Gorges—the subject of a story in “The Press” on Wednesday—have not been held since the HornbyChristchurch club went into recess. Mr Treloar, a former executive of that club, and now a Timaru club resident delegate on the Canterbury centre, wishes to see them revived. And he speaks with some authority. In the 1950 s he competed in these races against some of the most noted names in New Zealand cycling; J. K. Baird, L. D. Payne, N. Geraghty, and E. Lambert. He also organised the nowdefunct Northern Tour— Christchurch-to-Kaikoura and return. ANNUAL MEETING He said he would press for efforts to be made to bring back the three major races at this afternoon’s annual meeting of the Canterbury Cycling Centre. "I would be prepared to contribute considerably towards the organisation of these races into a tour," said Mr Treloar. “I do have quite

I an amount of experience I can draw upon.” It was suggested in the | earlier story that by the moving of a 50-mlie classic from September 25 to Sunday, August 22, a tour of the three races combined could be held on the week-end of September 25-26. “These events have histories that are enhanced from

year to year, riders remembring incidents in these classics that are never remembered or associated with lesser races,” said Mr Treloar. “By all means press for their inclusion.” Finance would be the major problem and clubs already had to organise about 20 races each a season. “A conservative estimate of the finance required to keep the Harbour, Ashburton and Gorges races alive would be $5OO, and a sponsor would be a definite requirement before these races could be even considered. FULL-TIME TASK “Also, organising such a tour is virtually a 12-month job—soliciting advertising and prizes, measuring aid marking the course, making arrangements for stage finishes and accommodation, and so on—and a tour organiser would have to be appointed immediately,” said Mr Treloar.

This is why he feels the matter should be discussed urgently if the races are to survive in any form. “It is a little quaint that Canterbury, alone of New Zealand’s major provinces, does not have a tour,” said Mr Treloar. "Even little Otago, with far fewer riders, has its own tour.”