Holland rides strongly to lead tour

Press, 21 October 1983, Page 38

Holland rides strongly to lead tour

By JANE DAVIDSON Stamina, coupled with the ability to judge pace away from the bunch, has put the Auckland cyclist, Kerry Holland, in first place after four stages of the Healing Tour of the South.

Holland, ranked thirtysecond in the field, is lmin Ils in front of his fellow Aucklander, Benny Vandergriend, with the Swiss rider, Andreas Gsell, a further 14s back.

The vital period came during the third stage of 112 km from Amberley to Waiau. Things went Holland’s way. He and Wayne McLellan (Invercargill) broke away from the bunch just north of Cheviot. They continued their two-man battle for almost 50km, but Holland found the extra strength to ride away to take the stage.

Behind them, attacks were being mounted bu they proved of little use. The Swiss began their bid for the lead — first was Thomas Rudlinger who had the misfortune to puncture at a vital point — then Fredi Meiser and Willi Felix.

Del Woodford, of Dunedin, made a valiant effort to join the leaders when he, Felix (briefly), and the American, Gray Mercer, broke away from the bunch. Mercer sat close on Woodford’s wheel for some time, but in the end both tired, letting Gsell and Vandergriend in for third and fourth for the stage. It was an exceptional ride from Woodford, aged only 19.

The final stage of the day, to Hanmer, was won by the Englishman, Mark Bell, ahead of Holland, and Blair Stockwell, of Christchurch.

The first stage to Amberley was a little niggly. Several riders crashed heavily, including Roger Nevatt (Palmerston North) and Greg Cox (Canterbury), who

damaged the derailleur on his bike. Greg Fraine also withdrew, but it was to work in Cox’s favour for Fraine lent him his bike. Brian Fowler (Christchurch) and Paul Miller (Waikato) fell nearing Balcairn, but Fowler temporarily forgot his grazes and rode strongly to finish fourth across the line at Amberley. The expected clash between Jack Swart and Stephen Cox, both from Waikato, has not yet occurred. Swart led after the second stage, but has now dropped back to equal-tenth over all with Stockwell. Cox is in fifth place over all and he could well prove the danger man today when the highlight will be a criterium at Rangiora. Results:

Stage two: Christchurch to Amberley (49km): R. Sumich (Auckland), Ihr 19min 19s, 1; S. Cox (Waiakto), 2; J. Swart (Waikato), 3; B. Fowler (Christchurch), 4; T. Horne (Canterbury), 5.

Stage three, Amberley to Waiau (112 km K. Holland (Auckland), 2:57:32, 1; W. McLellan (Invercargill), 2; A. Gsell (Switzerland), 3; D. Vandergriend (Auckland), 4; D. Woodford (Dunedin), 5. Stage four, Waiau to Hanmer (49km): M. Bell (England), 1:17:29, 1; Holland, 2; B. Stockwell (Canterbury), 3; Horne, 4; Swart, 5. Over-all classification after four stages: Holland, 5:39:20, 1; Vandergriend, lmin Ils, 2; Gsell, lmin 255, 3; Woodford, lmin 495, 4; Cox, 2min 10s, 5; G. Mercer (United States), 2min Ils, 6; G. Miller (Auckland), 2min 15s, 7; W. McLellan, 2min 235, 8; Horne, 2min 31s, 9; Stockwell and Swart, 2min 375, equal 10. First B graders: Woodford 1, McLellan 2, M. Griffiths (Auckland) 3. After seven sprints: W. Rastrick (Canterbury), 7,1; C. Hall (Australia), and C. Adair (Canterbury), 4, equal 2. King of mountain (after seven hills): McLellan, 30, 1; Holland, 28, 2; F. Meiser and W. Felix (both Switzerland), 19, equal 3.