Cyclists on road again

Press, 18 May 1984, Page 15

Cyclists on road again

The usually quiet and calm roads around Ashley and Sefton will have more than their usual share of

traffic over them tomorrow, but most of it will be of the two-wheeled, noiseless variety. The occasion will be the Amanda Wilks trophy race, the first of the major open events in this season’s road cycling calendar. A year ago, break riders dominated the placings. First across the line was a junior, Philip Gibbs, who did the best in a blanket finish. Of the next dozen or so to finish, only Aaron Lauder, who started with an eighteen minute advantage and finished eighth, and the scratch rider, Brian Fowler, who recorded the fastest time when finishing twelfth, broke the pattern. Numerically, the number of scratch and break riders is about even, 16 against 17, whereas a year ago, there were slightly more in the break bunch. Fowler, who is a member of the New Zealand road team to go to Los Angeles, will probably start favourite. He is a determined, challenging rider in most circumstances, prepared to do his share of the work in front of a bunch and one who takes any chances which might fall his way. He has been listed by the handicapper, Mr Bruce Dawe, at the top of the scratch list, and it will take a capable cyclist to beat him.

By

JANE DAVIDSON

It is to be hoped that the weather for this, the first of the testing events in Canterbury, will be fine, but Fowler would not complain too loudly if the wind or rain did arrive; it would suit his style of riding, as it would most of the scratch men.

If experience was a prerequisite for winning, Blair Stockwell would already have the race sewn up. Stockwell has taken part in this event more often than most of his rivals, and he has already shown up in club competition this season.

Toni Horne, the winner of the provincial 100 km scratch championship last year, is to be respected, as is Chris Hogan. Both have found places in Canterbury road teams in the past. Darrel Kircher, who rides for the Nelson club, has submitted an entry and could provide his southern rivals with some stern competition as well. One rider, though, who could have found his mark is Gibbs. He is bound to find the going tougher this time out, having graduated from the junior ranks and gone from the break bunch to scratch with the top liners, and it will be interesting to see how he performs.

Two names more often associated with track racing

also figure on the scratch list. For Craig Adair, the event will be more of a training run, and although he will do his best he is not expected to figure prominently; while Murray Steele will also be testing the waters to a degree. Steele had announced his retirement from race riding, but has decided to stick with it in the meantime in the hope of a late nomination for the Olympic track team.

Among the break riders, there is a group of half a dozen who could well come into contention, especially with weather conditions that are favourable.

Jim Ryder, of Timaru, is

an experienced and respected as any. and 12 months ago finished second to Gibbs. He would not contemplate making the trip from Timaru if be did not think be bad a sporting show, and with the memories of last year’s events still fresh, be will have the psychological advantage of knowing he can perform creditably. Geoff Searle, Dean Lovett and Richard Lauder also finished in the first half dozen, and there is no reason why they should not pose as much of a threat from the same mark this time. Lauder in particular has been showing out at club level. For those who are keen, there are also the Canterbury time trial championships to be held at Yaldhurst the next day.

Last year's senior winner, Greg Fraine, will not defend his title — he is overseas — but there is still a reasonable entry. Fowler could well complete a double for the week-end, for he finished just a shade over a minute behind Fraine over the Halswell course last year and is keen to go one better this time. Brent Cowie finished second to Stockwell in a Healing Papanui club trial over the same distance, 40km, a fortnight ago, while John Hughes (third last year), Jamie Nisbet, Rush and Paul Hoskin are all in with a chance.