Michael Leahy riding at top

Press, 30 September 1988, Page 28

Michael Leahy riding at top

Ever since the two memorial cycling races in Timaru in June, Woolston’s Michael Leahy has ridden at the top of his form this road season. Probably Leahy’s best win of the season was last month’s 160 km Timaru to Christchurch race. Although not letting on at the time, his break away with several other riders was well planned. It is the quiet, confidence of that start that wins Leahy races. He has been riding in Christchurch since January last year, having moved up from Invercargill. Leahy’s cycling career started in Invercargill at a tender age and, apart from some time spent overseas, he has never stopped racing. The move to Christchurch opened Leahy’s opportunities right up. “It was the best move I ever made, as far as cycling goes anyway,” Leahy said. Certainly in terms of appearing in the top placings, Leahy has rocketed ahead in the last two years. Last year his best performance, and one he remembers as his “best ever,” was the third placing in the Rothmans tour of Southland. After that, though, he was burnt out and could not fire for the Wellington to Auckland race. This season should be different for Leahy. Having built up well for the Canterbury championships, an event which signals the looming national

championships and big tours, he crashed less than 10km into the race. Even though several riders ran over him, Leahy was not seriously injured and he was able to ride the next week-end. And last Saturday everything came right for him, when he won the Blue Diamond three-stage tour. One contributing factor to Leahy’s riding this season has been the coaching skills of Blair Stockwell. Unfortunately Stockwell moved to Australia recently, but he has left Leahy with an advance training schedule until the Raleigh Classic on October 29.

When racing, Leahy has an elusive style. He does his fair share of the work in front but has the advantage of being a good sprinter. “I like windy racing where there are plenty of cross-winds,” Leahy said. “That way everybody has to work hard and because I can sprint the wind doesn’t worry me.” Unlike other riders, who get upset at the mention of cyclists who win races by sitting on the bunch then sprinting, Leahy does not seem concerned. “There’s not much you can do about it really.” Instead he plans his races and, as he did in the Timaru to Christchurch race, rides with brains rather than just pure brawn. Leahy now has to aim for the national championships in Dunedin

from October 6 to 8. His schedule has been upset because of his crash. He was chosen in the New Zealand team to race in Tasmania and had to pull out the day he was to leave. This week-end Leahy will ride the Ashburton to Christchurch race. He won it last year and says “I’ll have a go at making it two in a row.” "The Ashburton-Christ-church is always a fast race, there’s not much chance of anyone getting away,” Leahy said. After that is the national championships. Being around an exposed course in Green Island, Dunedin, Leahy will be in his element if there is a breeze blowing on the racing day. After the nationals he will travel south for another attempt at the Rothmans tour of Southland. With Graeme Miller not riding this year, Leahy will have a good chance should he retain his form. His workplace, Electrical Construction, Ltd, recognises his talent and gives him time off work. After the road season, Leahy will ride track “to keep up the speed work,” but will concentrate mainly on road racing for next year. With the Oceania Games and an Australian tour coming up next year, he is keen to keep on cycling and stay at the top of the New Zealand scene. His main aim for the

future is to be chosen in the New Zealand team for the 1990 Commonwealth

Games in Auckland. Should he continue improving at his present

rate, that will be a likely event. MALCOLM CONDIE