Hundreds turn out for cycle classic

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 24, 11 November 1986, Page 20

Hundreds turn out for cycle classic

The Waimarino was linked last week when hundreds of local residents turned out to watch the 1986 Raleigh Classic Cycle Tour as it passed through Raetihi, Ohakune, National Park, Whakapapa and points between. For the 50 or so cyclists it was Stage 6 of the gruelling 1144km race between Wellington and Auckland which started on Sunday 2 November and ended last Saturday. Stage 6 involved a 150km (93 mile) section between Wanganui and the Chateau Tongariro with a vertical rise of 1150m (3048ft) between sea level and the Chateau. It is hardly surprising they were a few minutes behind schedule when they arrived in the Waimarino! Anyone familiar with the Paraparas will appreciate the effort required to cover that stretch of road between

Wanganui and Raetihi on a bicycle in under three hours ... a journey that usually takes a car about one-and-a-half hours. The Parapara Road also took its toll in another fashion ... two riders were injured when they fell while negotiating a high-speed down-hill corner. Swiss rider Fabian Fuchs broke a collarbone and Australian Scott Sunderland suffered a fractured jaw and several broken teeth. The first group of three cyclists to reach Ohakune about two minutes ahead of the main bunch. consisted of Jack Swart ( 1 ) of New Zealand. Omar Palov (2) of C/echslovakia and Allan Miller (3) one of New Zealand's 'emerging riders'. Jack Swart was the eventual winner when the race finished in Auckland on Saturday. This is the third time he has won it. Omar Palov finished in secod place.