Stockwell out of Scottish race

Press, 22 July 1976, Page 30

Stockwell out of Scottish race

NZPA staff corres. London j The withdrawal of Blair Stockwell, the New Zealand cycling champion and captain, has hit New Zealand’s chances of team success in the f»*>o-mile five-day Scottish “Milk Race.” which began yesterday. Stockwell had a bad crash in Belgium a week ago and Js still nursing a badly bruised shoulder and elbow. Fe has been replaced in the' fix-man New Zealand team for the Scottish event by a fellow Christchurch rider. John Mullan. "We will miss Blair for his experience and ability as a captain," the team manager. Mr Willi Moore, said. “But Mullan, who has been riding (n Britain, Belgium, and France for the last 12 months L a first-class addition.” Max Vertongen will take

lover as captain of the New 'Zealand team, the second to 'compete in this event. They will clash with teams from England, France. Poland, the Netherlands. Belgium. Czechoslovakia. Ireland, and Scotland. The full New Zealand team is: Vertongen, Mullan, Kevin Blackwell, Paul Jesson (Christchurch), Jack Swart, and Paul Wallace.

New Zealand’s main hopes are pinned on the 21-year-old Jesson, according to Mr Moore. “He has the ability to win,” he said, “and hopefully, the Tour of Britain ’’Mifk Race’ recently will have given him the confidence he [needs.” ■ Mr Moore said that Jesson, I who finished eighteenth in I that event — the second New [Zealander after the Olympic Icontender, Vem Hanaryay, 'who was eleventh — had made excellent progress in the second week of the 12:dav race.