Time trial revelation improves cycling’s case

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34151, 12 May 1976, Page 42

Time trial revelation improves cycling’s case

(By

RAY CAIRNS)

The case for the inclusion of the 100 km time trial cycling team in the New Zealand Olympic Games team must be reopened by the national cycling council.

•And not because it has recorded an “exceptional performance”—a criterion suggested by the Olympic selectors—but because of exceptional supporting evidence of a time it has already recorded. Mr Jack Kennedy, a civil engineer with the Ministry of Works and Development

in Christchurch, yesterday measured the AnnatYaldhurst and return course on which the prospective 'Olympic squad in December [recorded 2hr 12min I2.2sec. ; He officially measured the ■course at 101.14 km — 50.53 km from Annat to Yaldhurst, 50.61 km on the return. the difference being i explained by different and : more sweeping bends on the I west-bound journey. i Mr Kennedy did rhe measuring on a Halda Tripmasl ter. a meter which is calibrated with a measuring wheel — the same method as that used by the Ministry of Transport — and which he says is very accurate. Mr Kennedy is one of the most experienced in this field; he regularly measures landing strips at air fields, and race courses — “much to the sorrow of a lot of owners who think their horses are in fine fettle.” ; Gold medal The extra distance covered by the squad — Blair Stockwell. Kevin Blackwell, Paul Jesson and Jamie Richards — in December gives it a converted time of 2hr lOmin 42.595ec. Where the original time of 2hr 12min 12.2 sec would have given the squad the bronze medal at Munich four years ago, the conversion would have won the gold. 35sec faster than Russia. more than a minute better than Poland. The convener of the Olympic selectors (Mr J. W Holley) made it clear that a comparison with Munich times would not carry much weight with his panel. He was very reluctant to

express any opinion — sho-t of. “the information is of interest to me. that’s all I can say” — and indicated that further approaches would have to come front the cycling council.

Not that that should be difficult. The president of the New Zealand Amateur Cycling Association (Mr M. E. Spackman) said the news of the certified course was “the best news I have had for months.”

“They virtually rubbished us on this one” — the accuracy of the Yaldhurst course — “but if we have a certificate of the distance, it is new evidence,” said Mr Spackman. “In effect, it is a new time which has been produced, and I feel I can say that the council’s executive will definitely be making an appeal to the Olympic association.” Appeal proposal | The executive meets this evening, and Mr Spackman said he would propose himself that an appeal be made. Meanwhile it was reported yesterday that Mr C. L. S. Cross, chairman of the Olympic association, had said all 112 athletes nominated for New Zealand’s team would be entered for Montreal. But if any of the appropriate sports — those who had nominated athletes omitted from the final team — had not appealed against the selections by next Monday’s meeting of the Olympic association, the names would be withdrawn. It is believed that archery, athletics and swimming have so far appealed, and cycling

it seems will join . them.. From Mr Cross’s comments, it seems the Olympic association may request its selectors to consider the appeals after Monday’s meeting. Footnote: The Canterbury Amateur Cycling Centre last evening sent a telegram to the national council “strongly requesting” an appeal on behalf of the 100 km time trial team. It detailed the figures produced by Mr Kennedy and stated the comparison with the Munich times.