Cyclists favourites in Aust. race

Press, 21 August 1979, Page 32

Cyclists favourites in Aust. race

NZPA special correspondent Launceston Through the deeds of Kevin Blackwell, of Rotorua, and the worthy supporting roles of the Canterbury pair, Toni Horne and Mark Nichols, in Saturday’s Launceston to Hobart classic, a cautious eye is being kept on the Air New Zealand cycling team. The four-day Tasmanian Tour, the main mission of the five-man national side, will start in Launceston tomorrow and the feats on Saturday of the five New Zealanders have earned them an undesired favouritism for the Tour. Certainly the allround strength and readily acknowledged springing ability of Blackwell have him marked as a leading contender, and will ensure that close attention is paid to him.

Horne, partly because he rode the Tour last year, and in fact led it until falling victim to a stomach upset, is also sure of similar attention,. and partly because of his youth, courage, and ability. the 17-year-old Nichols is frequently mentioned.

Blackwell and Horne are the two most prominent

members of the team, but another New Zealander, Vern Hanaray, is in this field, too. However, the New Zealand team plans are quite diverse and aimed at a general top result. Nichols, for example, has his eyes on the “King of the Mountains” title, and Tony Songhurst, the Auckland junior, could well be part, of a consortium with Nichols. Robin Stokell, a more than handy sprinter, particularly when in a small group, is the likely man to be sent up the road in pursuit of the “sprint act” title. It is also possible that Stokell and Songhurst, in particular, and maybe Nichc'; too, will be placed in the B grade. This is not the back-handed recognition it may sound, for a B-grade rider can still win the Tour.

The first day will conclude at the north coast town of Ulverstone, after a total of 202 km, and the second day. back to George Town, near Launceston, is the same distance. On Friday, the very hilly third day, the riders cover 175 km, finishing at the picturesque sea-side resort of St Helens, and then ride 229 km on the final day back to Launceston.