Akaroa race too tough?

Press, 11 August 1980, Page 18

Akaroa race too tough?

By

RAY CAIRNS

While the 1980 Christchureh-to-Akaroa and return amateur evciing classic will be remembered for the perseverance of the middle-marker winner. Gary Froegatt, and the outstanding ride of Blair Stockwell for fastest time, another rider merits attention. Normally the winner of thirdfastest time, and sixth place over all, would not command much attention. But Paul Flattery felt the field of 37 would be much improved if the race reverted to two 80km stages. Flattery maintained that few, particularly early in August, could attempt a 160 km classic, involving the climbs this does, with anv certainty of finishing or enjoying the day’s outing. That this is not a race for juniors, particularly first-year juniors, is well known, and worthy rides came from Glen Fuller (second), Paul Clare and Hugh 11'81100 (seventh and eighth respectively). Walton led his fellow-62tnin marker, Alistair Davies, past the Hilltop bv 2min. But on tbe return after a uuncture at the turn, IValton had been passed bv Froggatt and Fuller, by 2tmin, and the back-markers were 20min behind the leaders. A mere Ijmln in front of them was John Hughes. On the fiat from Little River the field steadily fell apart as the back-markers made considerable inroads. . Rider after rider, including the doughty Shane Smith and James Samnson, of the second break mark, were shed by the three scratch mark survivors, Stockwell, Flattery and Brian Fowler. In the end, all who could stav with them were Clare, IValton and Hughes. Fuller had little more than a minute in hand from the fastclosing Stockwell, whose 4hr 4min 14sec was a splendid effort. Abberviations. used in the results are Woolston W.M.C. <W), Papanui (P), Hornbv W.M.C. (H), Velo-Carpet Market (V). Christchurch - Akaroa - return 150 km.—G. Froggatt (W, 43 min), 4:42.34, 1; G. F. Fuller (P, 53min), 4:56.08, 2: .B, G; Stockwell (P, scr), 4:04.14, 3 and fastest time; J. T. Hughes (P, lOmin), 4, B. A, ■ Fowler (W, scr), 4:05.02, 5 and 2 fastest times; P. S. Flattery (V, scr), 4:05.03, 6 and 3 fastest time: P. C. Clare (H, 33mln) 7; H. Walton (H, 62min) 8, R. W. Fulton (H, 33min) 9; G. V. Neale (P, 43min) 10.