Pascoe in Timaru-to-Christchurch race

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32977, 25 July 1972, Page 22

Pascoe in Timaru-to-Christchurch race

(By

R. M. CAIRNS)

Interest in the Timaru-to-Christchurch road cycling classic, run this year in the opposite direction, has received a most decided fillip.

It will be the scene of the final effort by B. Pascoe (Waikato) to prove himself fit for the Munich Olympic Games, in which he has been selected to ride the road race.

Both Pascoe and V. J. Hanaray, the Hastings rider who is also in the Olympic team, are included in the field “at the request of the national selectors,” said Mr W. S. Williams, secretary of the Avon club which promotes the race, last evening. His executive held a meeting when it received the request and late entries from Mr D. B. Smith, a member of the panel which chose the Olympic team, and agreed to th- two entering the field and increasing its numbers to 76 —the most for several years. The selectors also particularly asked of the possibility of the two Olympians riding with J. I. Ryder, A. K. A. Anderson and A. D. Morris, three Canterbury riders who contested the Air New Zealand grand prix final at the week-end. Accordingly, the two

visitors have been placed on the scratch mark with these three—and Pascoe can look forward to a real fitness test. BREAK BUNCH

The five of them are giving away Bmin to the break bunch which now numbers 12. Originally, K. F. C. Radburnd, P. F. Neale, J. P. S. Mullan and J. B. Wilkinson (Otago) were on the back mark. With the impending arrival of the other two, they

have been moved out to swell the next bunch, but the time gap has not been altered.

As well as Radburnd and Neale, the bunch includes P. A. Jesson, H. R. Bush, G. McG. Strahl and J. H. Chesmar of the Canterbury riders who contested the grand prix final, so the scratch riders will obviously have a hard task to win fastest time.

The attitudes of Hanaray and Pascoe provide a vivid contrast. While the Hastings rider has nothing to prove, having well and truly shown his fitness and form on the week-end, he was extremely keen to ride the “Timaru.” Pascoe, on the other hand, has been reported to have showr some indifference towards travelling south, and it is understood the selectors are concerned at his attitude since being chosen for the Olympics. Also, whether a 100-mile handicap race will prove his fitness for an Olympic Games race is a moot point. Conversely, it would indicate his unfitness if he was not able to at least match the three Canterbury riders.-