Tabak First, Fastest; Sets Another Record

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31096, 27 June 1966, Page 15

Tabak First, Fastest; Sets Another Record

Monarch of all he surveys in Canterbury cycling, and possibly even New Zealand, T. J. Tabak added a further amazing performance to his voluminous list on Saturday.

Tabak won the Avon club’s Round the Bays from scratch, naturally took fastest time, set a course record by smin 44.8 sec over the 40-mile race, and left the former national champion and world championships entrant, A. J. Ineson (Southland), at the first hill.

Ineson, one of the most consistent riders in New Zealand, kept with Tabak to Gebbies Pass but when he was dropped, and soon after punctured, stood no chance of catching New Zealand's youngest senior champion. Tabak passed rider after rider with consummate ease —one, trying to keep with him, got out of his saddle and sprinted but was soon left behind—and, after passing the full field, finished a remarkable 4Jmin ahead of S. J. Stephen, who was second and second fastest from the break mark. The young B. Wilkinson gave one of his best performances to finish third. He was first over the Gebbies Pass hill and was not caught until the run out from Sumner. Connelly's Win Steady riding by the two main bunches, Papanul’s easy retention of the Frank Grose Cup

from Timaru, and R. J. Connelly's first win for two or three years were the features of the Papanui club’s 40-mile event. The major bunches were the 13min riders—who took the first five plaoings by the simple process of riding evenly and as a team—and the Smin bunch, which, with no scratch riders because of withdrawals, became the break bunch. The 13min men had gathered in the front marker* by about Saltwater Creek, after the turn, and finished 2mln ahead of the break bunch which was led by B. G. Stockwell, a 16-year-oid who took fastest time, and the club's most experienced rider, W. W. Thorpe. This bunch took fastest time, also, for the steady lapping by the riders while the eventual scratch bunch rode themselves out of any honours. The Frank Grose Cup was decided on the first four riders home from each club and Papanui, with every major placing except second, won by 13 points to 37. Dominant Again K. R. Jeffery and B. Yaxley continued their domination of other Cash riders to lead in by half a minute the next men in a 25-mile massed start block race at Halswell on Saturday. After six of the 12 laps they broke away from their final challengers, F. Hooper and J. R. Wiliiam*. and Jeffery carried on his good form recently to again sprint Yaxley home. The veteran. L. H. Arnst, although out of the main bunch early in the race, finished well with C. A. WiMcox to take third place in the sealed handicap. The field was broken up before two laps had been covered and, apart from the first four home, the only riders left were R. J. Weir, J. H. Willcox and T. Gibbs, who was having his first ride for several years. Novice Teams’ Race Better team-work by the leading members of the young Rangiora novice club enabled it to beat Mairehau by a convincing 19«ec in a nine-miie teams' handicap race on Saturday morning. Results:— Papanui’* 40-mtle Frank Grose Cup v. Timaru: R. J. Connelly (P.) (13min), 1: G. Duff (T.) (13min), 2: G. Day (P.) (13min), 3; L. Freeman (P.), (13mln), 4: D. T. J. Kirby (P.) 13min), 5: j Oneroa (Christchurch) (2flm!n), 6; B. G. Stockwell (P.) (smin), 7; W. W. Thorpe (P.) (smln), 8. Fastest time: Stockwell. 1:38.0, 1; Thorpe. 1:38.1.

2: D. Hewson CT.) (smin), 1*38:1.1 3. Avon's 40-mMe Round the Bays: T. J. Tabak (scr.), 1; 8. J, Stephen (2mln), 2; B. WMHnson (23min), S: R. Hogarth (23mln), 4; N. D. O’.arke (ISmin), 5: G. R. Sword (2m.ln), 6. Fastest Mme: Tabak, 1:44:54.2, 1: Stephen, 1:47:26, 2; Sword, 1:49:31.5, 3

Cash 25-mile massed start: K. R. Jeffery (scr.), 63:1.2, 1; B. Yaxley (scr.), 63:1.3, 2; L. H. Arnst (15mdn) 3: J. R. Witiy.ams (ISsec), 4; F. Hooper (ssec), 5; C. A. Willcox (13min), 6; T. Gibbs aimin), 7; R. J. Wecr (lOsec), 8. Mairehau nine-m'He teams’ handicap v. Ranglora: Rangiora A (P. Brydon, L. Vltte, P. Sincock, R. Archer), 21:34, 1: Mairehau A (A. Pavieil, P. Creighton, R. Burrage, J. Hood) 21:53. 2; Mairehau B (J Beresford. C. Evans, R. Knight, K. Radburn), 25:49, 3. Handicap: Rangiora B <2min). 1: Mairehau D <6mln), 2; Mairehau B (limln), 3.