N.Z. holds lead in Dulux sixth stage

Press, 1 November 1979, Page 34

N.Z. holds lead in Dulux sixth stage

she Dulux seven-day eying race concluded its menderings round the Waikato md Bay of Plenty yesterday, with Anthony Cuff comfortably established as tour leader, 22s clear of Eric McKenzie. The closest challengers remain a little distance away. Gary Bell is third, at 655, and Arch Sansonetti, the best of the Australians, is 33s

behind him after a fifth stage puncture yesterday morning. Then comes Blair Stockwell, at 2:7. and Chris Hogan, the next-best of the Canterbury riders, has improved himself to be 2:12 down on Cuff after a splendid morning stage. That is traditionally the “poor man's” stage, and so ’it proved again. It was won by the Australian track representative, Kevin Nichols, from Russell Nant, Joe Cosgrove and Hogan, these four being set free because none could threaten on general classification. Though their earlier lead of 3min 25s was cut back to Imin 48s by the finish, it was enough for Hogan to level .with Vern Hanaray of rhe Hertz team. Not that Hanaray was without bad fortune — he punctured just short of the Morrinsville finish and lost 33s there to Cuff. Because his support vehicle had apparently got in the way as Hanaray was chasing to re-

gam. that support was rele. gated to the rear of the con. voy for the afternoon stage. Jack Swart, the man vvha ranks ahead of even Hana, ray in favouritism to win thg tour had a mixed afternoon, He broke away to win the earliest and most valuabl* town sprint at Hamilton, was picked up by the bunch be. cause he chose to let then, do so. he punctured well ou|

>f Otorohanga but chaser) well enough to finish only 13s down That still makes Swart 2mm 49s down on Cull. 16 seconds ahead of the veteran Austra. lian Greg Parkes, and another two seconds clear of Geoff Skaines. Parke’s countryman who led the bunch into Morrinsville. Then fols low Roger Smith (3:15), Steve Cox (3:281. Kevin Bradshaw (3:42). and Trevor Rice (3:581. The only other riders withiq six minutes of Cuff are the Australians Wayne Deller and Jim Bursill. The tour's longest stage is today, the 175 km from Otorohanga to New Plymouth, and this is a gruelling slog that often settles the fate of the tour. No shortage of problem areas, either. There is a rough strip of metal on the way to Te Kuiti, soon after Waitomo. and there are the usual problems on the way to Mokau.

From RAT’ CAIRN'S in Te Kuiti