Top cyclists missing from Air N.Z. trial

Press, 29 July 1978, Page 56

Top cyclists missing from Air N.Z. trial

From RAY r CAIRNS in Auckland

I One or two notable names 'from the past, two or three lof the future, and ample of the present: these are the ingredients for the national final of the Air New Zealand cycling grand prix in Auckland over the week-end. the first to be staged since 1974. As has occasionally hapi pened in the past, this prestige tour, which carries with it the prizes of national team selection and a trip to the Tasmanian tour, has fallen at a time when the best half-dozen of the country’s cyclists are out of the country. In normal circumstances the Commonwealth Games quartet and Paul Jesson (in Europe') could have I been expected to take a firm I grasp of the field and tour and shake it to pieces. Instead, those just below the top level have their chance to make an impression and start muscling into that leading bracket, and such is the evenness of the 49 entrants that hazarding a

guess at the final team of five is a risky business.

The old brigade is represented by Robert Oliver, : Derek Brown and Mike Hughes, the new by Tony Songhurst, Michael Guy, [Matthew McKinell, and Mike ! Bosomworth and the Canterbury juniors, Mark Nichols and Bruce Brunton.

But it is more likely that those established on the national scene will feature most prominently. Auckland has Wayne Perkinson, not at his best for the regional race but a worthy contestant with a more than useful road record. There is Clem Captein from Waikato-Bay of Plenty, Robin Cornish makes a return in Wellington colours, and Bruce Watson (West CoastNorth Island) has current good form. Against this line-up. the best hopes from Canterbury are Chris Hogan and Toni Horne, the latter the winner of the Canterbury regional race, and Hogan, though only

'fifth on that occasion an ! experienced tour man. There is additional experience. too, in Jim Ryder, i twice a tourist already with I Air New Zealand team and ’edging back to his best form lin the latter stages of a season, as he usually does. ! Canterbury has a distinctly useful team of six, though two of the best halfdozen in the local trial, Paul Flattery and Wayne Howes, were not available. The three more experienced men, Hogan, Horne and Ryder, appeal as having the better chances, but the prospects of Brunton cannot be ignored.

Nichols continues his recent spate of record-setting by becoming the youngest, at 16. to contest this final, but not too much should be placed on his youthful shoulders. This mixing with the best left in the country should instead serve as valuable experience, just as it will be another taste of national action for Greg Cumming.