Games Cyclists Will Be Strongly Tested

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30958, 14 January 1966, Page 4

Games Cyclists Will Be Strongly Tested

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. A series of stringent trials will be held in March and April to select the New Zealand cycling team for the Jamaica Empire Games.

This was announced today by Mr V. R. Ross, secretary of the Amateur Cycling Association.

“Normally the national championships in March give a good line for track selections, but top riders are to be brought together again in Auckland six weeks later for comprehensive trials at Western Springs,” he said. “The first special 120-mile race will be promoted by the Otago centre on March 26, and on the following Saturday the West Coast-North Island centre will stage the second one.

“On April 10 the third trial, again over 120 miles, will be conducted by the Waikato centre and then there will be a fortnight break before the final trial in Auckland on April 23,” Mr Ross said.

“The first three races are, in effect, regional trials, although they would be open to riders from any district.

“The final Auckland race is the national trial and is the one on which most aspects of road selection will be based.”

In the event of misfortune, by way of injury or mechanical trouble in the final event, the national selection panel would refer to results of the three regional trials. The track trials would be held over two nights, April 22 and 23. Mr Ross said the selectors. Messrs R. Dutton, M. Gamble and R. Sowry, would announce their nominations immediately after the trials.