Blair Stockwell, born in Christchurch in 1949, was an ironman of New Zealand cycling through the 1970s.

A product of St Andrew’s College in Christchurch, he was only 20 when he was sent to the 1970 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games. Far from overwhelmed, he returned with a medal in the 4000m individual pursuit.

Stockwell won his heat in 5min 11.9s, upset top English rider Willi Moore in the quarter-finals, with a time of 5min 12.3s, then lost his semi-final to Australian Danny Clark, despite being timed at 5min 09.2s. Stockwell won the bronze medal when another Australian, Dave Watson, did not start the ride-off.

In the 1000m time trial, Stockwell finished 10th in 1min 12.3s.

Stockwell also started in the road race in Edinburgh, more to support No 1 New Zealand hope Bruce Biddle than for any other reason. He withdrew midway through.

At the 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games, Stockwell, Paul Brydon, Russell Nant, and René Heyde rose to the occasion and came away with a bronze medal in the team pursuit. In their first ride, they qualified second fastest with 4min 50.40s. Despite having gone more than 3 seconds faster than Australia in their heat, the New Zealanders lost their semi-final to Australia and were timed at a disappointing 4min 58.05s. New Zealand made a false start, which was not recalled as they’d expected it to be, and Australia rode smoothly into the final.

However, in the ride-off for the bronze it all came together well and the New Zealanders swept to victory in 4min 45.90s, beating Scotland by 12 seconds.

Stockwell also made a good impression in the 4000m individual pursuit. He won his heat in 5min 08.96s and caught his opponent, Phil Taylor of Wales. In his quarter-final his 5min 09.63s eased him to a comprehensive victory over Australian Dick Paris, who had all sorts of problems and was never a factor.

In the semis, Stockwell faced the same Willi Moore he’d beaten at Edinburgh four years earlier. This time Moore had the better of things, despite Stockwell’s slippery time of 5min 05.91s. Stockwell stormed into an early lead and by halfway had opened up a gap of five seconds. But thereafter he slowly lost his lead and, in the final 200m, the race.

In the bronze medal ride-off, Stockwell was beaten by another Australian, Gary Sutton, in a very close battle, Stockwell being timed at 5min 09.47s. Sutton won the choice of starting and finishing sides of the track – a not inconsiderable advantage in a stiff wind – and finished too strongly for the New Zealander.

At the 1978 Edmonton Commonwealth Games, Stockwell rode in the road race and finished 30th in 4h 35min 08.1s of hard slog.

Stockwell made it three Commonwealth Games medals when he helped the New Zealand 100km time trial team to a bronze medal in 1982. The New Zealanders - Stephen Carton, Stephen Cox, Stockwell and Jack Swart - were timed at 2h 10min 55.96s, finishing just over a minute behind England and Australia.

While he was in Brisbane, Stockwell also tackled the gruelling road race and secured 20th place, covering the 176km in 4h 40min 27.42s.

Stockwell rode in one Olympics, at Munich in 1972, where he, John Dean, Neil Lyster and Paul Brydon formed the 4000m team pursuit squad, the first time New Zealand had entered the team pursuit at the Olympics. They were timed at a slick 4min 35.11s for their heat, but did not progress any further and finished 14th overall.

An idea of Stockwell’s versatility and longevity can be gleaned from a review of the national titles and major domestic races he won. He won the North Island road tour, for so long the major road race on the New Zealand calendar, in 1972, 80 and 84. Only Stockwell and Jack Swart won it three times. Stockwell won the Southland tour in 1972. He won the national individual pursuit title in 1969, 70 and 71, the points title in 1980, and the New Zealand road championship in 1975 - ironically, the year he was named New Zealand Track Cyclist of the Year.

Stockwell was a member of the strong Papanui club, where he was one of coach Wayne Thorpe’s stable of top riders. Stockwell anchored Papanui to seven Hope Gibbons Shield national time trials from 1968-80.

While he was riding at the 1974 Games, Stockwell was a meat inspector. Later he worked in a bike shop.

He tinkered with the idea of moving to Queensland for some time and eventually settled in Brisbane, where he owned a cycling shop and was the founding President of Lifecycle Cycling Club. He stepped down from the role in 2014, but remained the club patron and is a life member.

He moved to the Gold Coast, where he works in another cycle shop. Stockwell remains an inveterate cyclist.

Blair Stockwell was awarded an MBE in 198

Blair Stockwell

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Biography

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