Junior cyclists face hurdle

Press, 13 July 1984, Page 40

Junior cyclists face hurdle

PA Wellington Limited preparation is the biggest hurdle the New Zealand junior cycling team will have to overcome at the world championships in France in August. Those team members still in New Zealand left last evening for the event, to be held in Caen, from August 12 to 19. The coach, Chick Ratten, left with Darrell Kircher, Phillip Gibbs and Craig Blaikie. They will eventually meet up with Darien Rush, Gary Anderson and David King in Odense, Denmark, on Sunday for 19 days of training, including five international track meetings and four road races, to make up for what the squad has missed in New Zealand. Mr Ratten, who puts great emphasis on preparation, had the six together for a week at Easter and

three days over Queen’s Birthday week-end. He compares that to last year’s world championships (held in Wanganui) when the squad was together for eight months, including a tour to Australia and two months in Levin. The main problem is money. While most of the other top countries will have heavy State backing, the New Zealanders have a completely self-financed trip and each member, the manager, Noel Anderson, included, has had to come up with about $5OOO. New Zealand first competed in the championships in 1976, and has done so regularly since 1981. >■- Another problem Mr Ratten sees is the inexperience of the squad. However he is hopeful that the riders, all aged 17 or 18, should qualify in their events.