Lyn Cooper

Wellington cyclist Lyn Cooper gained national attention in 1972 when he won the national road title in sensational circumstances.

Cooper, who was trained by David Gee at the PNP club, had been a leading cyclist for several years when he finished second to Vern Hanaray in the national road championship in Nelson.

Hanaray, of Hawke’s Bay, was the dominant road racer in New Zealand at the time, having won the national title in 1971 and he would go on to win it again in 1973. In Nelson he was disqualified for careless riding after it was deemed his tactics near the end were responsible for several riders crashing. Only seven of the 48 starters completed the race.

Cooper, a tall, powerful rider, managed to steer clear of the trouble and crossed the line second, followed by his Wellington team-mate Brent Cornish and Canterbury’s Ross Bush. They were all elevated by one position once the Hanaray disqualification was announced.

Cooper, always very strong on the hill climbs, rode for New Zealand at the 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games, but did not finish the 114-mile road race.

For many years after he finished riding at the top level, Cooper was a contractor, driving trucks and heavy machinery. He moved to Waikanae and continued to ride in masters events.