Jack Swart faces fearsome ride

Press, 9 October 1982, Page 17

Jack Swart faces fearsome ride

From

RAY CAIRNS

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Jack Swart has an unblemished record on the Mount Petrie course, which will today decide the road cycling race near Chandler. The big Morrinsville man last year won the Oceania Games championship on the same course.

But Swart realises as well as anyone that he faces a far more fearsome opposition, and sharply differing conditions, if he is to win again: "The field is far stronger than last year,” he says in what is almost an understatement of the situation, “and where it was cold and wet last year, the forecast is for a really hot day.

“They are conditions ready-made for the Aussies — they’ll be the hardest to beat, with everything laid on for them. They're the in-form team from the track so the pressure is on the road guys to perform as well,” Swart said.

“And they’re in season. I know we are in a sense, too, but we're away from home, and this course does not suit us as well as some could. It would suit me, I know, if it was a deader, harder circuit, as this fast circuit will keep the field much closer together.” Swart rated John Watters the hardest of the Australian team: “He’s the best they've got at the moment,” and he is surprised that England has not chosen two of its successful time trial team. Bob Downs and Joe Waugh. "They are their two strongest, and I don’t think the course will suit Jeff Williams.”