‘Good but dangerous’ course for nationals

Press, 6 October 1988, Page 52

‘Good but dangerous’ course for nationals

From

MALCOLM CONDIE

in Dunedin A good course but dangerous was how the Canterbury team manager described the route set for the Cadbury cycling nationals which begins in Dunedin tomorrow. Mr Trevor Fowler, in Dunedin with the 60 strong Canterbury team rode around the course yesterday and said: “It is a good course for a road nationals but it is dangerous in places.” Right from the start, riders have to work. Dunedin hills have made this arguably the toughest ever nationals’ course, something that will give the stronger riders an advantage. About skm into the race, cyclists face an awesome climb up Jeffcoates Road, past Waldronville. This hill is long and undulating and will deal to any riders with thoughts of sitting on strong riders’

wheels. From the top of Jeffcoates Road, the course takes a plummet down Old Brighton Road. This drop ends in a sharp corner signposted 60km/h for traffic. It would be possible for cyclists to reach up to 90km/h before that corner. According to the public relations officer for the nationals, Mr i Brian Turner, it is one jof the “trickier bits Of the course.” Mr Turner believes there would be no problem on the corner because the climb before the descent would stretch the field out. “I think there would be room for six to eight riders around there,” he said. Another problem spot is just after the start. Road works several months ago resulted in the road slumping and an exposed rough metal surface there is conducive to punctures. The Silver Peaks County t.

has promised the Otago Cycling Centre the road will be repaired before tomorrow. The rest of the course makes for relatively open cycling but some tight corners on to and off the main highway could prove to be a problem for big bunches. There is no place where cyclists can relax on this course. If riders are not struggling to climb they will be hanging on on steep descents. What little flat road there is will be ridden at a tactical pace in preparation for the next climb. Senior riders travel 12 times around the 13.4 km circuit, veteran ones six times, veteran twos five times, juniors six times, women four times and novices three times. Racing starts tomorrow with the veteran one and two riders and the juniors and continues on Saturday with the senior, women and novice races. Time trials will be on Sunday.