Cycling championship declared "no race”

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32841, 15 February 1972, Page 15

Cycling championship declared " no race”

(NJ. frttt A»tociation> AUCKLAND. The 500-metre (print championship at the New Zealand cash cling championships at Papatoetoe on Saturday night was declared a “no race” alter a series of protests, a crash and an exchange of blows. The main performers were the two former amateur riders, N. Joyce (Auckland) and D. Hillary (Otago). After Joyce had decisively won the first race in a best-of-three final, HUlary gained the lead in the second but Joyce tore past him in the back straight with one lap and a half to go. Joyce then eased. and took Hillary high on the banking, but Hillary sped away to win the heat. Joyce protested that Hillary was given a push at the start. Hillary counter-protested that Joyce had interfered with him while racing down the back straight. The referees ordered a re-run, then both riders protested. Rain began to fall, and after a short wait the riders reluctantly restarted, but after 10 yards, both crashed. A series of blows were thrown as they were on the track. The rains came down again and the referee ruled that the remaining heat be held on Sunday morning, but Hillary was reluctant to agree, saving he was returning to the South Island.

It is now left to the New Zealand League of Wheelmen to decide the winner, if any, and the allocation of prize money for the sprint championship. It waa costly for both riders as each had relinquished his amateur status for the cash championships. Each rider also forfeited starts In other contests to concentrate on their specialised event. It was a great meeting for the two Aucklanders, A. Connell, who won two senior titles and was runner-up in another, and D. Gaze, who won two junior titles. Results:— Senior.—SOO metre sprint: No first or second place; E. Gluestein (Mid-Canterbury) 3. 4000 metres Individual pursuit: D Sullivan (South Canterbury) 1, A. Connell (Auckland) 2, C. HUI (South Canterbury 3. Time: 5:39.3. 1500 metres: Connell 1, T. WyUe (MidCanterbury) 2, L. Greenall (Otago) 3. Time: 2:14-2. 16.000 metres: Connell 1, WyUe 2, Gluestein 3. Time: 24:15.8. Junior—soo metre sprint: Wadsworth (South Canterbury) 1, F. Collins (Otago) 2, R. Cox (Taranaki) 3. 1500 metres: D. Gaze (Auckland) 1, Cox 2, Wadsworth 3. Time: 2:22.0. 8000 metres: Gaze 1, Wadsworth 2, Cox 3. Time: 12:18.0. Open.—4ooo metres teams race: Mid-Canterbury 1, South Canterbury 2, Time: 3:23.7,