Cycling team chosen

Press, 28 June 1989, Page 31

Cycling team chosen

By

MALCOLM CONDIE

After very short notice, selectors for the New Zealand Amateur Cycling Association have chosen a team of five track riders to represent the country at the Malaysian open championships on July 21 and 22.

The championships are being held to celebrate the opening of a new 250 m wooden velodrome in the city of Ipoh. It is the only track of its type in south-east Asia and will be opened by the King of Malaysia on July 21.

Included in the team are two keen Canterbury riders. Carlos Marryatt and Jason M. Smith were offered the chance to travel to Malaysia while racing in two road events in Timaru at the weekend. Jon Andrews, Russell Ownsworth and Mark Lucas were also asked if they would

like to attend, but decided against the trip because racing on the track at this time of year was too early in the season for Commonwealth Games use.

Mr Graham Sycamore, the convener of selectors, said the invitation "came out of the blue” last week for a team of up to eight riders. The response from many of the riders Mr Sycamore spoke to about the trip was reserved. “It is understandable not a lot of guys are falling over themselves to go because it is so out of season.”

Mr Sycamore said that the New Zealand Amateur Cycling Association would make an effort to send a team.

“My first reaction was ‘no we couldn’t do it’ but then I thought there could be an

opportunity here.” The Malaysians organising the tour have also invited several European countries and some Australians. It will give those riders attending a chance to size up their opposition for the Commonwealth Games early next year This event in Malaysia is a dummy run for the Asian Games — a sporting event larger in scale to the Commonwealth Games — being held later in the year. “I think this may lead to a regular thing, hopefully with more notice,” Mr Sycamore said. He was given this Friday as a deadline to confirm a New Zealand team. The team is: Carlos Marryatt, Jason M. Smith (Canterbury); Justin Grace (Auckland), Craig Saunders (Nelson/Marlborough) and Jerard Stock (Southland).