P. Fletcher wins Gore to Invercargill cycle classic in 1957...

P Fletcher

It was an unknown, P. Fletcher of Dunedin that outgunned R. Toomey and S. McKenzie of Invercargill, to win.

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The five strong bunch which included the above plus Harry Hubber and J. Holloway made a break but were soon caught by K. Hastie  who looked as though he was going to cycle right through the field, and add some excitement to the finish.
There were eight left at the finish and the crowd were anxious for a close finish.
It was J. Hall that everyone was watching, but as he fell back to sixth, Fletcher made the most of the opportunity and powered through to win.
Toomey had worked hard for that race and would have been disappointed with his second.
​The standings were:

It was bitterly cold as the riders left Gore railway station, and a good crowd cheered the five scratch riders as they rolled out 18 minutes after the first cyclist started.
The Edendale Hill sorted out the riders and I. Kerr the front man had dropped back, and only three scratch riders remained.
A. Inneson dropped back with gear trouble, and Alex Panagiotidis soon joined him.
Bremner (Dunedin), led Hubber and Holloway over with Bremner dropping out quickly. 
There were 12 men bunched in the lead with the rest of the field strung out.  J. Hall tried to leave the bunch at Kennington but he soon tired and got caught.  
Those that came in after the bunch were the 5 minute men of W. Tait, Ray Alcock, and W. Agnew.
Reference:  Little Glamour Attached To Cycle Classic.  The Southland Times. 1957
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