Fowler demolishes top cycling field

Press, 3 February 1986, Page 44

Fowler demolishes top cycling field

PA Dunedin The Olympic Games representative, Brian Fowler, of Canterbury, demolished a high-class field to win the Countrywide cycling pro-am criterium at Dunedin yesterday. Fowler took the premier honours by a good length from the experienced English professional, Mark Bell, at the completion of a successful breakaway effort in the middle stages of the race. Once the hard riding pair had opened up a 250 m gap on their closest rivals, it became obvious they would be very hard to peg back and as the laps reeled off, Fowler’s win almost appeared a formality. Bell, who made the Cantabrian work in the final sprint, had the satisfaction of winning the

special sprint series with21 points, seven ahead of Fowler. Third was Brian Tilley (Australia) who made a desperate bid to overtake Fowler and Bell with over 22 laps to go. Tilley failed to bridge the gap but surprised race followers with a relentless exhibition of solo pedalling that kept him well ahead of the chasing group. Graeme Miller improved his position in the last six laps to finish fourth in front of a promising Canterbury cyclist, Peter Coates.

Ross Gamble (Dunedin) celebrated his fortieth birthday by notching a slashing win in the B grade criterium. Results were:—

Countrywide criterium: B. Fowler 1; M. Bell (England), 2; B.vTilley

(Australia), 3; G. Miller (Auckland), 4; P. Coates (Christchurch), 5; G. Todd (Dunedin), 6. B Grade criterium: R. Gamble (Dunedin), 1; T. Clyne (Christchurch), 2; J. Harris (Dunedin), 3.

A Grade cadet criterium: G. Kiesanowski (Christchurch) 1, A. Kissell (Invercargill), 2; G. Biggs (Dunedin), 3. B grade cadet criterium: S. McLeay (Invercargill), 1; M. Smith (Invercargill), 2; T. Graves (Invercargill), 3. 800m:— A grade: M. Crooks 1, C. McLeay 2, G. Smith 3. B grade: G. Phillips 1, M. Leahy 2, B. Coe 3. New Zealand Cup 1600 m: J. Harris 1, C. Jack 2, R. Pine 3. 4000 m: C. Jack 1, J. Rico 2, M. Phillips 3. 8000 m: G. Stock 1, C. Hillis 2, G. Todd 3.

16000 m: C. Ryan 1, G. Miller 2, B. Fowler 3. Invitation Italian pursuit: B. Miller, B. Fowler, M. Steel and S. Swart, 1; C. Ryan, B. Tilley, D. Williams and M. Bell, 2.