Blair Stockwell ends successful cycling career in style

Press, 5 November 1984, Page 34

Blair Stockwell ends successful cycling career in style

PA Wellington Blair Stockwell retired from all cycling after winning the Dulux seven-day tour for a record third time on Saturday with a special word for the guidance and encouragement of coach Ron Cheatley, of Wanganui.

“I was ready to quit in 1981 but Ron talked me in to staying on for the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane the following year,” said Stockwell. “Then Ron wanted me to have a go for selection in the Los Angeles Olympics. I didn’t make it but I’m grateful to Ron,” he 1 said.

Cheatley, the national road coach for some years, drove Stockwell’s support car in the last few days of the tour and was among the first to congratulate the rider on his historic victory. Stockwell was talking retirement when he won the Dulux for the second time in 1980, and he may have bowed out in 1982 had New Zealand managed a gold medal instead of a bronze in the 100 km teams’ trial at Brisbane.

He is convinced now that retirement is appropriate with a third Dulux victory to eclipse those greats who have won it twice, Jack Swart, Tino Tabak, Laurie Byers and Vem Hanaray. And with his 35th birthday on December 17, Stockwell is more than ever keen to spend more time with his wife, Paula, and sons, Luke, aged 10 and JayMichael, aged 7. Stockwell, who initially rode this tour in the shadow of Swart, of Hamilton, and Aucklander Graeme Miller, made his decisive move on Thursday morning on stage eight from New Plymouth to Wanganui. While the tour leader, Miller, and the favourite Swart, dallied in the main bunch Stockwell was part of

a breakaway group of eight which eventually filled the

first seven over-all placings. Stockwell successfully defended his lead in the last four stages over the final two days, and the only time he looked under threat was on Saturday afternoon when David Barnett, of Wellington, took the Paekakariki hill climb in brilliant fashion to cut Stockwell’s lead to a mere five seconds. But by the time.the riders had regrouped at the bottom of the climb, Stockwell looked safe in a leading group of four alongside Barnett, Leigh Chapman (West Coast, North Island) and Japan’s Toshimi Sato. Approaching the finish, Barnett bravely led out knowing he could not win the tour, and Stockwell came through to pip him on the line to win his only stage of the tour. Stockwell only decided on

a serious challenge on the Dulux after winning the Healing tour of the south a few weeks before. Even then there was no certainty he would be able to compete. Stockwell had to do a “bit of juggling” at the Belfast works where he is a meat inspector to get the necessary time off.

Stockwell said that he was really pleased he did not hang back with Miller and Swart when the tempo quickened on Thursday. In the end, Miller finished 12th and Swart was so frustrated with the negative tactics of those around him that he withdrew before the riders reached Wanganui. “They were pawns in a game I was happy not to be a part of,” said Stockwell.

Results:— Stage 11 (Paraparaumu to

Lower Hutt): B. Stockwell Ihr 37min 48s, 1; D. Barnett at Is, 2; T. Sato (Japan) at Is, 3; L. Chapman at ss, 4; G. Heine (West Germany) at 48s, 5; E. O’Brien at Imin 7s, 6; W. Morgan at Imin 7s, 7; G. Miller at Imin 7s, 8; K. Ito (Japan) Imin 7s, 9; S. Fairless at Imin 7s, 10.

Final over-all classification: B. Stockwell 24hrs 24min 445, 1; D. Barnett at 7s, 2; S. Fairless at Imin 225, 3; L. Chapman at Imin 525, 4; G.i Tyrrell at 2min 295, 5; P. Miller at 3min 2s, 6; B. Cox at 3min 225, 7; R. McKorkill (Australia) at 9min 265, 8; W; Morgan at 9min 325, 9; E. O'Brien at 9min 425, 10.

King of the Mountains: Paekakariki hill: D. Barnett 10 points, 1; T. Sato 5,2; B. Stockwell 3,3; L. Chapman 2, 4; S. Fairless 1, 5.

Glenside hill: T. Sato 8 points, 1; B. Stockwell 5,2; D. Barnett 3,3; L. Chapman 2,4; G. Miller 1, 5.

King of the Mountains final points: T. Sato 36 points, 1; B. Stockwell 32, 2; D. Barnett and B. Cox 20, 3 equal; P. Miller 11, 5; P. Leitch 10, 6; S. Fairless and L. Chapman 8, 7 equal; W. Sharrock 5,9; K. Seino (Japan), G. Heine (West Germany) and G. Miller 3, 10 equal. Hot Spot sprint Porirua: D. Barnett 5 points, 1; B. Stockwell 4,2; T. Sato 3,3; L. Chapman 2,4; K. Ito 1, 5.

Final Hot Spot sprint points: P. Miller 33 points, 1; G. Miller 13, 2; G. McLay and W. Sharrock 11, 3 equal; G. Heine 8,5; B. Cox and P. Leitch 7, 6 equal; B. Stockwell and D. White 6, 8 equal; K. Seino, D. Barnett and B. Cox 5, 10 equal.