Cycling race popular

Press, 18 November 1989, Page 28

Cycling race popular

The third annual Mobil Police Christchurch-to-Greymouth cycling race has drawn its biggest ever field and entries have had to be restricted for the event. Thirty riders have been permitted to enter the race, planned for this Tuesday. Of those only a select few are from outside the police force, < Originally, when the event began three years ago, it attracted six entries and was meant to be a fun ride with a limited emphasis on racing. Thirteen cyclists competed in the 250 km race last year. .. This year, only 30 riders were permitted to enter. The race starts from the Christchurch Central Police Station at 5.45 a.m. on Tuesday, and after a neutralised section to'the outskirts

of Christchurch, racing proper begins, ! There are nine stages to the event including two hill-climbs, one up Porter’s Pass, and the other up Arthur’s Pass. Most of the other stages are all under 30km, with one time trial between Kumara and Kumara Junction.: The main aim of the event is not to have it as an all-out serious cycling race, but to promote the police. Entries are restricted to mainly police officers. None of Canterbury’s name riders will be racig, but top triathletes, Jim Bedwell and Greg Luxton have entered. AH entrants receive a sponsor’s cycling jersey, and their $25 entry fee is pooled for the first prize. The winner of the race, decided on a points system for each stage, takes all the money. .