Established cyclists under challenge

Press, 29 September 1979, Page 20

Established cyclists under challenge

By

RAY CAIRNS

The dawning of the 1980 s will also and inevitably usher in a new era for New Zealand road cycling. The last decade has seen an almost pitifully small number of

road men firmly establishing themselves at the top of the tree; precious few have had the ability or opportunity to displace them. But as this small group

heads for the elder statesmen category, so the challenges are starting to come: and the Worrall’s national championship in Auckland today, and the Olympic Games trial at Tokoroa on Tuesday, could well herald the beginning of the change. For, like it or not, the most warmly favoured to do best in the championship and the trial are Vern Hanaray and Blair Stockwell, the two who have been around longest; a likely place-getter is Gary Bell; and their strongest challengers are Steve Cox and Jack Swart. But the yawning gap that existed between this group and the rest is starting to close. Auckland

can produce lan Richards, bidding fair to emulate some of the feats of his distinguished elder brothers, one of whom, Michael, won the Auckland title and promptly stated he was not interested in the national championship. Then there are the best sprinters of the Air New Zealand team in Australia earlier this year, Kevin Blackwell and Toni Horne, and at nearly 24 and just 21 respectively, they are something like the right ages for the future. Canterbury actually has a small but strong hand for these two races, for Chris Hogan has smarted under his national team rejection for two months now, with splendid results, and Paul Flattery, so prominent as a junior, is

due for a step upwards and onwards. There would be no major surprise if the experienced and dedicated Hanaray was to win the championship again. Four times in the last nine title races,- he has led the field across the line (once having it taken from him by the referee), and his fierce desire to do well was translated to financial sacrifice. when last month he travelled at his own expense to Australia to get his form right. Stockwell, too, has had those suggesting his time is past, but when that happens, he is most likely to return a performance of top quality; not as frequently as in the past,

perhaps,. but the class is still there. What about Bell? His fifteenth at the Montreal Olympic Games, his bronze medal at Edmonton, were New Zealand’s best performances on the road. But the likeable Bell could never be seen as a man who will ever actually win anything; and nor does he have the mental make-up to perform any other duty. Bwart has not this year approached his majestic performances of last, but he and Cox will probably be looked upon to carry the torch in the immediate future. Blackwell may well turn to the road, too, in which he is not short of spirit and ability; Horne has already made that his forte, though he still flirts with

danger on his negative days; and the greatest problem for lan Richards >s to hinge a mellow temperament to undoubted ability. The Games trial involves virtually the same, riders, with the additions of those most eagerly eyed in the junior championship yesterday, most notably Mark Nichols — whose attitude and ability make him the most likely of the lot — Mike Bosomworth and Tony Songhurst. Not that the national selectors are likely to put forward a junior for Moscow; it is just that one of this group could embarrass them into such a situation at Tokoroa.

Before that particular event, however, the youngest group of champions also have their national title at stake. The boys’ race will be contested on the same day as the seniors for the first time, the more crowded programme yesterday contributing to this necessity. Canterbury has as worthy a team as it has fielded, but recent illhealth has weakened the chances of Vaughan Harvey, perhaps the favourite for the title with the absences in Australia of the title-holder, Paul Leitch, and Craig Griffin.

But Mark Childs and Peter Turnbull represent sprinting strength to match that of Harvey, and Craig Nichols has much of the refreshing aggression of his brother.

Their ways will not be easy, however. Andy Baker showed his quality in the Auckland championship when he beat Leitch;

and Mark Taylor, so generally proficient in the Healing mini-tour in Canterbury, had to bow to Greg Cundy for the Wellington title.

Nor can the Southland pair, Murray Hewitt and Grant Pine, be overlooked; while this race has the habit of throwing up a young fellow otherwise unknown, but a champion on the day.