Change possible in cycle team

Press, 21 July 1978, Page 4

Change possible in cycle team

PA Wellington There may be a lastminute change to New Zea. land’s Edmonton Commonwealth Games cycling team. The national coach, Mr Max Vertongen, is to try out Mike Fabish for a ride in the two-man race in the place of Eric McComb.

Mr Vertongen said in a letter received in Wellington yesterday that McComb’s form was not sharp in Vancouver, where the team had competed, while Fabish appeared particularly fit and strong.

Fabish will pair up with McComb’s regular team-mate, Eric McKenzie, for the tandem over the next few days. Mr Vertongen said the results of the track team had been encouraging.

“There have been two road races. In the first, over 35 miles, Michael Richards came first, followed by Anthony Cuff, with Ireland’s Joe Smythe 70s behind. “The second race, over 28 miles, saw New Zealand completely dominant. Fabish was first, followed by Kevin Blackwell, Cuff and McKenzie, with Neil Lyster sixth, Richards seventh and Jack Swart eighth. This was a great result considering the size of the field,” he wrote. “In the sprints, we finished first, second, third and fourth. “We finished one-two in the devil take the hindmost, second in the handicap, and had the first four home in the 60-lap scratch. In the nominated distances, we took first to seventh.”