N.Z. Cyclist Selected for Tour de France

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 240, 30 December 1927, Page 10

N.Z. Cyclist Selected for Tour de France

Maorilanders Popular With Australian Fans INVITATION TO O’SHEA Now that the news has been received to the effect that H. G. Watson, the crack New Zealand road, cyclist, has been chosen as second rider to accompany the famous Hubert Opperman as a representative of Australasia in the world’s greatest road race, the Tour de France, it is hoped that enthusiasts of, the sport on this side of the Tasman will come to light with the necessary financial assistance toward the expenses. The proposal to send a team of three, and trainer, to the big race next year is finding great favour with the sporting fans in Melbourne and in three weeks £BOO out of the necessary of £1,250 has been subscribed. The selectors appointed by the Advisory Committee who are responsible for the raising of the money are Messrs. N. Blomfield, president of the Australasian Federal Cycling Council, H. B. James, organiser of the recent Dunlop Grand Prix, and J. M. Cross, the handicapper to the League of Victoria Wheelmen. WATSON’S GREAT RECORD Watson came into prominence first in 1924, when he won the Timaru-to-Christchurch road race, and secured second fastest time. In 1926 he again secured second fastest time, this time from scratch. This, year, from scratch, he secured fastest time. His rides in the last two Timaru races have been epic efforts, and have stamped him as the greatest unpaced

road rider in New Zealand. On both occasions he had to plug along for miles and miles, keeping up a pace •which teams in front of him could not make, and it was with confidence that New Zealanders waited for news of his

H. G. Watson fortune in the Dunlop Grand Prix race in Australia this year. This race, ridden in four stages, was the greatest road event that has ever been put on in the Southern Hemisphere, and Watson was meeting the cream of Australian riders. SECOND ONLY TO OPPERMAN Only one of them beat him, and Opperman, in winning the great event, enhanced his already fine reputation. Watson, who punctured in every stage, and had to ride many miles unpaced, gave his most wonderful performance, and undoubtedly merits selection for tho world’s biggest road race. Tho Tour de France is over a course 3,300 miles long, and it is held in 24 stages. With rest days it takes about a month to run off. All the road champions in the world gather in France for the race, and Watson will be racing in the best company it is possible to get into. That he will perform with credit there is not the slightest doubt. PHIL O’SHEA INVITED

In an article received recently from Melbourne, it was stated that it was intended to make an effort to get Phil O’Shea, another well-known New Zealand cycling crack, to come back into the sport, as it is felt that a rider of such outstanding brilliance and stamina would add to the strength of the Australasian Tour de France team. It is, however, very doubt-

ful whether O’Shea will be able to accept such an invitation, as the champion met with a nasty fall at the Ashburton meeting two years ago, when he fractured his shoulde.r, and it is doubtful whether his injury would stand up to the long hours of cycling in such a big race.