Keen cycle clash likely

Press, 29 August 1986, Page 29

Keen cycle clash likely

A close contest is expected when New Zealand’s top novice riders gather in Rangiora this Sunday, for the annual Campagnola multistage cycle tour. With riders coming from as far away as Whakatane and Southland, the 116 km event should produce some keen stage finishes in the fourstage event. Greg Biggs of Dunedin, and Hayden Bell from Whakatane, head the contingent of visiting riders. Biggs, the recent winner of the Dunedin tour, is known for his climbing prowess and will be watched closely in the hilly stages; if he manages to make a break he could be hard to pin back. He should also be the top contender for the king of the mountain title.

Bell will also be keen to

continue his good performance, after his second placing in the Manawatu tour last week. Known for his sprinting feats, he turned in a fine effort at the national track championships held in Christchurch earlier this year, and will be the rider to watch in any of the sprint finishes. The Canterbury challenge for the event will be headed by Grant Kiesanowski, who was runner-up last year, and along with Clayton Gyde, is expected to figure prominenty in a race of this distance. Kiesanowski, who finished fourth in the Canterbury road championships last season, will be keen to impress the selectors with road championships only a week away. Gyde who performed well in the Canterbury and National Track Championships this year will be hoping to do well after a mediocre season on the road to date. But if a break develops he could be hard to pin back when the. race develops into a sprint. Other local riders who will be keen to turn in a good effort .will be Todd Skilling, Tim Carswell and Chris Odams, who were impressive in the recent Avon Hotel criterium. Paul Wilson, who has recently transfered from the Marlborough region, will be out to continue his recent form, and, if he gets away from the bunch, could be dangerous.