Worthwhile test for cyclists

Press, 7 January 1983, Page 8

Worthwhile test for cyclists

A few years ago. the initiative of one or two members of the national cycling administration had the New Zealand and Australian track cycling teams travelling the country together in a series of international meetings.

The regularity of the Oceania Games since that time has meant the discontinuation of the inter-change, but this year, mainly at the behest of the national president (Mr Bill Main) and convenor of selectors (Mr Gordon Sharrock), the North Island and South Island teams are on a South Island trek.

The Invercargill portion of the lour is now out of the way. and tomorrow at Timaru, and on Sunday and Monday at Denton Park, the teams have their Canterbury meetings.

But it is ironical that the riders in both teams might well meet more than their

matches in the supporting events, and the pro-am racing, from the best of the South Islanders not in the actual South Island team.

Craig Adair was not racing before Christmas and accordingly was not available; Murray Steele was racing, but was not available for business reasons; Terry Gyde, despite consistent results, was not chosen; Brent Kircher left his run a little too late; and more’s the pity, Colin Ryan’s professional status removed him from consideration.

Ryan will assuredly race in his home town, fimaru, but there is a clash on Sunday with the New Zealand professional grass track championships at Tinw’ald. It might be asking a little much for the meeting promoters to countenance a challange race or two between the North and South teams, and “The Rest.” For

sure, the .cycling public would love to see a pursuit team chosen from Steele. Adair, Gyde, Kircher and the North's travelling reserve, Stuart Imrie, against the best of the island teams — and Craig Griffin, Paul Leitch and Greg Fraine are all in the prospective New Zealand team — with Ryan racing sprints against anyone.

There is a like situation in the junior ranks. Tim Clyne can consider himself harshly treated in not being chosen for the South team, after a week-end of consistent trial performances: and Darrel Kircher must be kicking himself for not making a bid for that team, so excellent was his form on the South Canterbury circuit. And should David Williams travel north with his brother-in-law, Ryan, he will throw out a decent challenge or two.

This fortnight-long tour has been for the very worthy reasons of developing another group of riders to continue the good work at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games. The selections of Brian Fowler and Fraine in the

South team did not surprise; nor did those of Griffin and Leitch in the North team. But the most interesting aspect of the latter team is the return of David Dixon, good enough to beat Adair in junior pursuits two years ago, and likely to be important to New Zealand’s future if he gets back to something like that form. Paul Lynch, who looks to have a "good future, and Warren Sharrock, who has been round considerably longer, complete the North team. The others in the South team are all from Canterbury: William Rastrick. Steve Woods and Tony Strang. The last-named, and perhaps Woods, on his moderate showings at South Canterbury at New Year, will be under some pressure to justify their places. The only really representative group in the South Island team is the junior squad: Alan Miller and Chris Jordan hail from Blenheim, Stephen Harcourt from Southland. Dean Harvey from Canterbury and Darren Rush from Nelson. RAY CAIRNS