BIG CYCLE RACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 224, 21 September 1928, Page 13

BIG CYCLE RACE.

HAMILTON TO. AUCKLAND

TO BE RUN" TO-MORROW

The annual cycle road race from .Hamilton to Auckland will be run tomorrow, finishing at the Epsom Show Grounds round about 4 p.m. This years event eclipses all previous efforts. . Ibe entry breaks all records, there being 43 against 30—the previous best. The prize money in cash and kind also establishes a record.

Nothing remains now bvt to get a fine day to put the race orver successfully; and if weather conditions are favourable and the calibre of the field is any criterion this year's Hamilton to Auckland result should be a particularly interesting one and prove a great race as well. The first rider away will be J. Davey, 45m, a veteran nearing fifty summers, who will get the word "go" at 11.15 a.m. from Hamilton's popular Mayor—Mr. p ow —while the last will be the North Island champion road rider, S. McCann, who „ starts alone from the mark of honour at 12 noon.

To attempt to pick the actual winner wpuld be almost impossible, owing to so many good ones competing, but those who appear to have good chances arc: C. Slack, 27m, Auckland; P. Rickman, 25m, Auckland; J. Watts, 18m, Gisborne; R. Yardley, 18m, ]JJe\fc' Plymouth; W. Francis, 15m, Papakura; and S. Hayes, Bm, Auckland.

Results from the four clicking in stations—Huntly, Te Kauwhata, Mercer and Papakura—which are also feeding stations, will be announced by megaphone at the Show Grounds, so that patrons will be able to follow the race all the way. Programmes will be given free to all those patronising the stand. Mrs. P. A. Richards will present the prizes at the finish of the race. The first Hamilton-Auckland cycle race, in October, 1926, promoted by George Sutherland, the well-known ex- \ champion cyclist, was won by A. Suther-

land (Auckland), who also made fastest

time, in a ride through heavy rain. The same year th& A. and P. Association staged another race over the game route as a Royal Show attraction, the winner being N. Hellier, of New Plymouth. In 1927 the race was won by J. Henderson, of Auckland.