CYCLING SQUAD Pursuit mark beaten again

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32870, 20 March 1972, Page 3

CYCLING SQUAD Pursuit mark beaten again

(By

R. M. CAIRNS)

The national team pursuit cycling record was broken again at the Cook’s Gardens track in Wanganui on Saturday evening, and the time of 4min 37.65ec assured the squad of selection for the Olympic Games in Munich.

The team of B. G. Stockwell and P. D. Brydon (Canterbury) and J. A. Dean and R. G. Oliver (Wellington) beat by 4sec the record set by Stockwell, Brydon. Dean and N. R. Lyster (Wellington) three weeks ago.

These four were almost certain of nomination, provided they recorded a satisfactory time, but Saturday’s racing at Wanganui and an odd set of circumstances cost the Canterbury junior, R. M. G. A. Heyde, a place as reserve, and thrust Lyster back into Olympic nomination. Lyster’s chance appeared to have gone after last weekend in Christchurch when Heyde was definitely his superior. He was even omitted from those invited to Wanganui. Heyde’s injury However, Heyde crashed last week-end, and the convener of the national selection panel (Mr C. J. Hollows) said “We were led to believe he could be doubtful.”

He was not, of course, and although his injured leg caused some difficulty in walking, he could ride with freedom. At Wanganui, after the record, he was put in a team with Stockwell, Dean and Oliver which recorded 4min 47sec.

“Heyde finished with them, but was all but off twice,” said Mr Hollows. “He did not quite rise to the occasion as we thought he might have, probably because of his youth (Heyde recently turned 18), and a lack of strength at this stage.” The cycling nominations for Munich were confirmed after the meeting. H. D. Kent (Wellington) is the other track rider put forward for the kilometre time trial and sprint, and there will be no duplication of riders competing on both track and road. Pursuit preference Brydon and Dean had already been named for the road team, but they had indicated their preference for the team pursuit. “The team pursuit is the No. 1 event for these blokes,” said Mr Hollows. “They are being withdrawn from consideration for the road, and we will not name anyone else to replace them.” He also confirmed that there would be no consideration given to four members of the party riding the 100 km team time trial on the road. It was felt that a combination of the team pursuit riders and some of the road

team could compete in this event.

Mr Hollows said another 4000 metres time was not required from the squad. The full list of nominations, if approved by the Olympic selection panel, will give New Zealand its largest Olympic cycling team. In 1956, seven track riders were chosen for Melbourne —a five-man squad for the team pursuit, and the brothers W. T. and R. Johnston on the tandem; W. Johnston was fourth in the sprints. Seven of this year’s nominations should be approved, with the road riders, B. Pascoe, especially, and V. J. Hanaray, the least likely to be chosen. The full list of nominations, and events, is:— 4000 m team pursuit: Stockwell, Brydon, Dean, Oliver, Lyster. 1000 m time trial, sprints: Kent.

Road race: B. W. Biddle, Hanaray, Pascoe. ,