Fowler hits out at cycling selectors

Press, 19 October 1982, Page 46

Fowler hits out at cycling selectors

By

RAY CAIRNS

Brian Fowler, one of New Zealand’s most talented cyclists, yesterday hit out at the national cycling selectors. The panel of Messrs Gordon Sharrock (convener), Jack Broome and Graham Sycamore named a variety of squads after the national road championships, looking towards world championships, Olympic Games, Oceania Games and world junior championships. . But the name of Fowler, aged 20, was missing altogether, and he thinks he is ' being, pehalised for his pend-

ing overseas trip to ride for the Peugeot team in France. “I think I must have upset them for deciding to go to Europe, but that's all part of becoming a better bikerider.” In fact, Mr Sharrock observed to the young cyclist’s father, Mr Trevor Fowler, at Lower Hutt on Sunday that “there’s no need for a New Zealand cyclist to go. overseas these days — there’s plenty of top racing here for them.” On the subject of Fowler unquestionably the outstanding member of the New Zealand silver medalwinning pursuit team, Mi ‘ Sharrock said that the rider’s

absence from New Zealand — though it might only be for six months — would mean he could not train with any team. “So it's up to him to sort out what he wants to do,” said Mr Sharrock, with the hint that Fowler would have to be New Zealand-based to feature in the selectors’ plans. Fowler had made it clear in Brisbane, however, that he wanted to continue riding with the pursuit team. “I’m coming back, and I still want to ride the event,” he said. "I still want to ride the road at the Los Angles Olympics.

“But they seem to have shut the door to that again. They’re sticking to basically the same guys, not holding any trials, not giving anyone else a chance, and that’s what gets to me. They come up with these teams too early, 18 months or two years before the events, and make it hard or impossible for an up-and-comer to get in. “Now it seems I’m not going to get picked for anything for the Tahiti Oceania Games, even though they're more than a year away, and I don’t know the reason for that.” And Fowler, whose future

is surely to lie on the road, for all his track successes, attacked the 100 km squad of eight for the Tahiti exercise: “That 100 km team is a bit of a joke.” Fowler will write to the selectors emphasising his interest in, and availability for, New Zealand teams, but he can make a point in a practical way in the summer ahead. There is a series of NorthSouth meetings in the South Island, from January 3 to 16, and the South Island trials are at Denton Park on December 4 and 5. A firedup Fowler will be riding

them, undoubtedly making the point that it was folly to overlook one of his quality. Murray Steele, the other Canterbury member of the New Zealand pursuit team, was “quite pleased” he was effectively dropped from the new squad, however. “I told them my preference: the kilometre time trial and the sprint. I intend flagging away the team pursuit at that level.” That decision was probably accelerated for Steele after he failed to finish with the pursuit team on any of its three rides at the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane.