Vital series for cyclists

Press, 10 February 1982, Page 24

Vital series for cyclists

By

KAY CAIRNS

Rather more than just the winning of Canterbury titles hangs on the provincial hard track cycling championships which start tomorrow evening with the time trials at Denton Park. Irrespective of the trials which were held in Wanganui in the last week, the New Zealand team for the Brisbane Commonwealth Games will not be finalised until after the Healing national championships, also at Denton Park, and winning performances — no matter what times have been recorded on the fast Cooks Gardens track — must be strongly considered. So the Canterbury championships have assumed major importance for Craig Adair, particularly, and Tony Duder, two Oceania Games representatives. Adair was poised to be part of the trials series at Wanganui, but he contracted the same stomach virus as Duder had suffered. In view of the excellent kilometre time trial by Murray Steele in Wanganui, second by 0.3 s to Anthony Cuff, Adair must rank very highly in the kilometre stakes. He has been in exceptional form since New Year and a victory over Steele, especially if it was by a handsome margin, would establish him as favourite for the national title, too. The presence of Adair. Steele and Brian Fowler makes the Canterbury kilometre championship an exciting prospect, and if they seem the likely place-getters, there will still be keen interest in Kelvin Steele, and Tony Fuller — both of them did excellent times in last vear’s national championships — Duder and Blenddyn Wills. Just as Commonwealth Games selection will hover over these Canterbury championships. so will national championship selection hang on the boys’ championships. More ■ than a dozen names could be listed, and it would be a brave man who would speculate on the best and the worst of them. Certainly, Tim Clyne looks to have a slight edge in the 4000 m, but Dean Harvey is timing his run to a nicety, and Dean Kinzett is the find of the last few weeks. Jason Smith is forgoing the junior boys’ events, and his strength is the 450 m. J

But what about, the allround performances of Shayne Hendren and Darrel Kircher, the finishing strength in pursuits, especially, of Craig Fenton, and the various strengths of George McAloon, Geoff Searle, Richard Bruce, Dean Lovett, Phillipp Gibbs and Kerry Kampjes? What, too, is the basis of comparison with the Timaru riders, Warwick Coles, Peter Surridge and Tom Faulkner? And what about the outstanding Southlander, Stephen Harcourt, to further complicate the issue? A little sadly, in Blair Stockwell's home patch, the senior individual pursuits are scantily patronised, but the presences of Murray Steele, Duder, Toni Horne, John Hughes and the veteran, Alan Hood, will ensure a keen contest. Hughes and Hood apart, they will also ride the sprints and the 15,000 m. But various factors will make difficult Duder’s bid to retain his historic sprint-pursuit double of last season. Kelvin Steele will clearly be a sprint stumbling block, and so will Tony Fuller, while Tony Strang and Ivan Steele could be dangers in the 15,000rn. The senior fields are completed by Julian Thurlow, perhaps a shade late in his preparation, Brent Kircher, also’ starting late, and Paul Miller, the best all round in the Papanui club championships. There is a greater spread of talent in the junior fields, though Adair, logically. Wills. Fowler and Greg Fraine must appeal most -in the individual pursuit. Fowler has a strangelychequered record in this event, one in which he would be expected to excel, and Wills in particular seems to have the Indian sign on Fowler. Conversely. Adair — with all that speed and strength to burn — has an equally mediocre record in.sprints, yet in their youth, one would have expected the reverse to be the case. There are bound to be others who come through in the championship atmosphere: Hugh Walton. William Rastrick. Michael Hazeldine, Steve Woods. j

Mark Childs and Glen Fuller are all very capable sprinters. Of the rest, Peter Coates, Jamie Nisbett, Malcolm Robertson and Gary Smallridge all have the initiative to cause an upset. Another Southlander is in these fields, Michael Leahy, and he could be an upsetting factor. Brendan Kiesanowski looks the best of the junior boys, but he is sure to face a challenge from Craig Cornelius, Chris Williamson and John O’Brien, while Jason Harcourt is also making the trip from the far south with his older brother. The veteran fields are very scantily supported. Gordon Duff, due. to improve on his past placings in the national championships, and Hood are tw’o old adversaries in Timaru, but it seems they will face an unexpected challenge over 450 m. from Mai Payne.

Papanui (open) and Mairehau (boys) are supplying the bulk of teams for the pursuits, but both clubs will not be without challenges. Woolston, in the team pursuit, can provide Fowler, Duder. Strang and Woods as a likely-looking squad, while in the boys’ Italian pursuit, • Hornby, still to establish its starting rider, his Kinzett, Bruce and Harvey to finish off the good work. There are also three tandem teams, two of them — Fowler and Woods, Hughes and Miller — club combinations, while the field is completed by Tony Fuller and Strang. - For the first .time in many years, Saturday evening will be full finals night, with the junior 8000 m the feature event. The other expected finals are the senior 15,000 m, the crowd-pleasing 450 m . both grades of boys and‘ veterans — the various team pursuit, qualifying, rounds,and sprint quarter-finals.