Professional cycling title wide open

Press, 9 October 1987, Page 48

Professional cycling title wide open

□loosing a champion at the national professional road cycling title meeting in the Timaru hills tomorrow will be harder than picking a winner at the Washdyke gallops. John Mullan (Canterbury) would be expected to claim the 160 km senior event, the trophy for which is named after the greatest of all road cyclists, the legendary. Phil O’Shea. Mullan earned favouritism by winning last weekend’s Christchurch to Timaru classic, but he will not be a starter in the

national event Consequently, the spotlight will switch to Neil Wylie, runner-up to Mullan, and a strong, competitive rider. But then there is another catch. Wylie is now domiciled in Perth, which makes him ineligible for the championship. So the man who might eventually wear the crown is Colin Ryan, the seasoned South Canterbury cyclist who is a former titleholder. But he can expect tough opposition from Wayne Bennie (Auckland), Wayne

Towler (South Canterbury), and Brent Kircher (Mid-Canterbury). None of them can really feel confident about keeping clear of Eric McKenzie (Waikato), remembering his sprinting feats of the past In Mullan’s absence, Canterbury’s best hopes will be with Steve Doherty and Mark Meadows. A 40km teams’ trial event today will start proceedings, and on Sunday the programme will be wound up with 80km races for the veterans and juniors and a 32km cadet championship.