Jesson wins pre-tour time trial

Press, 31 October 1977, Page 36

Jesson wins pre-tour time trial

Since the late withdrawal of Vern Hanaray from the Dulux seven-day cycle race, Paul Jesson has commanded the majority of support for the country’s premier road event.

The Christchurch 22-year-old gave early notice that his challenge must be respected when, yesterday morning, he won the eight kilometre time trial which decides w ? ho will wear the yellow jersey out of Auckland. Jesson’s time of 7min. 14sec., in the strong tailwind, was a record for the ride against the clock on Tamaki Drive, and gave him a 7sec. advantage over Jack Swart, of Morrinsville, twice a winner of this initial trial, and a further 2sec. lead over Blair Stockwell.

In 1972 Stockwell won the time trial and, 1100 km later, the tour as well. Certainly Jesson now commands warm favouritism, and the time trial underlines the fact that Stockwell may well be his strongest opponent. But a dominant factor in any pre-race considerations is the form of the Australians. Mai Powell, twice a runner-up in the early 19605, has returned to take charge of the large Australian contingent, but the mutterings around Auckland centre largely on whether he has the personality to bend the

individual wills of the team to his own. > Australian teams, official or otherwise, have for some time tried to take home this tour. They have not succeeded, and perhaps this year’s tour will emphasise that it is because they have too few willing to sacrifice their own interests. Certainly this year it appears the tourists have the depth, if not the will. After the two Canterbury riders and Swart, seven of' the next eight places are filled by Australians.

Nevertheless it will not be a surprise if Jesson (first in his only start) and Stockwell (first, second, third and King of the Mountains in his four attempts) are still in the top three when the field reaches Wellington on Saturday. The best times: — Jesson, 7:14; Swart, 7:21; Stockwell, 7:23; Phil Anderson, 7:28; Morris Sansonetti, 7:33; Steve Cox. 7:33; Geoffrey Brasz e 1 1 , 7:34; Arch Sansonetti, 7:35; Mark Spangaro, 7:35; Sal Sansonetti: 7:36; Ramon Cardosi, 7:36.

Other Canterbury riders’ times were: — Bryan Stenning, 7:44; Chris Hogan 7:45; Jim Ryder, 7:50; Dick Thompson, 7:58. Other significant times were: —— Mike Hughes, 7:40: Roger Sumich, 7:42; Gary Beil, 7:44.