CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 234, 3 October 1928, Page 15

CYCLING.

THE CASH RIDERS.

EVENTS IN PROSPECT.

Saturday was an off day for cash cyclists, no race of any description being put on for them. Possibly they wanted a spell after the big Hamilton to Auckland the previous Saturday. Next Saturday's race will be a 14-mile open handicap, which will start sharp at 2.30 p.m., so as to give riders a chance of seeing the finish of the amateur 50mile championship. The Auckland Club's 14-mile cham-' pions-hip set down for Saturday has been postponed till the following week, so as not to clash with the Manukau Club, who have control of the amateur "50." In connection with the p;'ze list of the recent Hamilton to Auckland championship road race, the firm of Clarke's Cycle Works, Newmarket, were inadvertently left out of the official programme. As Mr. Clarke had given a Leader racing cycle as the fastest time prize, besides displaying all the prizes in his shop window, this was particularly unfortunate. The committee in charge of the big race will meet shortly to finalise matters. There are several small accounts yet to come in, and when these are laid on the table, it is hoped that in spite of the wretched day and the still more wretched gate takings, that there will be no loss. The medal donated by Adaans, Limited, Christchurch, for the most' meritorous performance in the Hamil-ton-Auckland race, has just arrived and will be alloted, when certain information has been received in reference to the performances of several riders. The medal is a very fine one. The Timaru to Christchurch —New. Zealand's cycling classic —will be held next Saturday and with an entry of; 90, promises to be even better than last year. The North Island will be well represented, as S. McCann, N. Bellringer and S. Gooch, who competed so successfully in the recent Hamilton to Auckland, have entered and intend making; the trip south. The Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club, who will hold their 14-mile road, championship on Saturday, October 13, have a good race to look forward to. With such good ones as F. Prior, J. Harcourt, J. Lindop, S. Hayes, K. J. Mathieson, A. R. White and H. Pelham competing, the finish should be one to remember. There is no race in the Dominion more popular with road wheelmen than the Taraneki Circular Cycle Road Race (round the mountain) on Saturday, October 22, The prizes, twelve in number, with a first and second fastest also attached, range from £50 cash, fiftyguinea cup and gold medal to the winner, down to £1 cash and set of tyres for twelfth. On the following Monday, Labour Day, there is also a sports programme arranged. The principal event, the Labour Day wheelrace, carrying £15 cash and ten-guinea cup, is a race well worth winning. There is also a good supporting programme, both cash and amateur.

The Northern. Athletic Union held their annual meeting recently and report a very successful year. * Over 80 clubs, so the report reads, are affiliated and held sports during the year. J. Lindop, winner of second fastest time, and, incidentally, Auckland's premier rider in the Hamilton to Auckland race, will be a competitor in the j round the mountain race run at New Plymouth on October 22. Lindop intend* leaving shortly to have time to go over the course, so as to make himself conversant with it. BUmdford Park Improvements. With the road racing season drawing to a close and the proposed opening of Blandford Park Stadium taking place in November, the many racing cyclists now in Auckland will have their hands full preparing their machines with tradk-racing equipment. The surface on the Stadium's cycle track is to be specially treated with a top dressing of fine metal dust, which will ensure perfect smoothness. This could not be done when the track was first opened, owing to the material not being procurable. The running track will also be in operation, allowing of longdistance running events being staged. This track could not be finished in time when the Stadium was first opened. The 100 yds special sprint track will be in operation as usual, which will mean that there will be three tracks in operation. As these tracks are all separately lighted and controlled, three different .events can be staged at the same time if so desired, making it one of the mast up-to-date sports grounds in the world.