N.Z. cycling team in dire straits

Press, 14 May 1981, Page 32

N.Z. cycling team in dire straits

By

RAY CAIRNS

Six young cyclists and their experienced manager and coach, are off to East Germany for the junior world championships in three weeks, but they still don't know for certain the events in which they will ride, the size of the Berlin track or, most important, if any substantial financial assistance will be coming their way. This is the disturbing state of affairs facing New Zealand's first team to contest the championships for 17 and 18-year-olds, indeed the only New Zealanders (the oneman team of Michael Richards excepted) to ride at this level. The team is now in Christchurch, for final preparation under the Canterbury men who are’ to lead the party, Messrs Des Smith (manager) and Wayne Thorpe (Christchurch). They are the men appointed, on the recommendation of the national selectors, obviously for their experience — Mr Smith has managed two Commonwealth Games teams, and Mr Thorpe has served with four Games teams all told.

With four of the team from the South Island, it made geographical sense to centre . : the team in Christchurch, but no doubt there was a pious hope from cycling headquarters — the lower half of the North Island — that the two men would also look to the financing of the team. “We’re talking in terms of $30,000 for the whole venture, plus, two months away from their regular jobs for the young fellows,” said Mr Smith yesterday. “But when it came to asking the national council just who was underwriting the trip, we got back that its contribution was $4OO for assembly, paying insurances, limited outfitting, and $lOOO of excess baggage.” Mr Thorpe added, though, that the attitude of the riders, in the face of a substantial personal commitment, was nothing short of absolute enthusiasm. “A month or so ago, we put it to them that they should look at at least $3OOO and two months off work, one here and one in Europe.

The answer from each ol; them was an unqualified yes,! and that has been main-I tained. All of them are now ( arranging loans and other i finance: two have sold their ’ cars."

With New Zealand almost! certain to stage the junior! world championships at Wan- j ganui in two years, it is very i important the country be, represented at that level this ■ year. Also, the outstanding ■ run of performances by. juniors at the Healing na-; tional championships in March really made it imperative "that something be; done with them," to use Mr, Thorpe's words. I

But finance; that is another matter. An approach is being made to the New. Zealand Sports Foundation.; under the new policy of developmental grants, but! these grants cannot be made' to a team as such. I The chairman of the grants committee. Sir. Ronald Scott, said yesterdaVj he believed an application, was pending, but said that; applications for the individu-' als in the team would have to be made separately, and; would be considered’ separately. ; The youngest of the team: is Del Woodford. 17 today, a; freezing worker who was! chosen from schoolboy ranks for this tour. The other rider from the far south is Blenddyn Wills, of Invercargill, who is following his employment as a cycle mechanic on a part-time basis ■ in Christchurch.

Craig Adair, the only Canterbury rider, is a company representative, while the other South Islander. Laurie Buckton, of Blenheim, is a process worker. The North Islanders are both apprentice fitters and' turners. Craig Griffen. og> Kawerau, is another 17-year-j old — though like all but Woodford, he will be 18 at the time of the championships — and Paul Leitch, of Auckland. i The New Zealand ’ team has been entered for all the: events at the world championships. On the track, these are thought to be the team and individual pursuit, sprint, kilometre time trial, and points race. There is also a 130 km road race and a 70 km team time trial.