CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 225, 23 September 1929, Page 12

CYCLING.

AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP. FIFTY MILE ROAD RACE. WIN - FOR H. R. DWIGHT. The Manukau Amateur Cycling Club was favoured with perfect weather on Saturday when it decided the fifty-miles Auckland provincial amateur championship cycle road race from Epsom to Clevedon and back. There was quite a large gathering at the Epsom end of Market Road to see the competition set off on their long "out nnd home" journey, but the number who congregated there to witness the finish were treble that number, and in some cases the finishing riders ■were somewhat inconvenienced. Sharp at 2 p.m. W. Clarke and R. l>. Francis, a junior member of the ManuKau Club, the two limit riders oft 23 minutes, were dispatched amid cheers from the gathering. Then folowed C. V. Garden, C. Hansen, L. W. Roberts, of Kaikohe, A. W. Mackrell off 10m- 15s; W. Borland, A. C. Stcen, N. Casey, C. L. Russell, off 13m 40s; J. Leather, the ultimate winner, J. C. Stewart, PI. Russell, G. P. Clark, off 10m 40; C. Francis, 6. .T. Whitehouse, t>. Bnird off Bin 40s ; PI. Borland, B. Hall, C. G. Galbraith, off 7m 40s; C. A. Clarke, L. Aldred, F. Taylor, off 5m 40s and F. J. Casey and D. Fletcher, off 3m 30s. The scratch division were sent off at 2.23 p.m., and comprised II 11. Dwight, Angus Mackie, late of Christchurch, J. Whitten, J. H. Wade and L. B. Roberts. The race proved a splendid piece or handicapping, for the two limit riders, who paced out an exceptionally fine race, were not overhauled until nearing the Harp of Erin, with about two miles to go. At Papakura on the way out they were still 4m 138 ahead of their nearest rivals. At the turn at Clevedon, where an official check was taken, the two limit men passed in 80m 435; Then A. W. Mackrell, 10m 15s, en me along on. his own, 8m ?,0s behind the two leaders. Carden and Hansen passed at Sum 3s, then Steen headed a bunch of four in 80m 425. Next wns Whitehouse, who led a bunch of eight in 87m dead. At SBm 355, Galbraith and Borland came along headed by Hall, who, instead of taking the bend, went straight on, much to the amusement of hits two comrades, who gave him a lively time before he could rejoin them. C. A. Clarke, P. .7. Casey. Fletcher and Aldred passed at 90m 7s. At 02m r,ls-, the scratch men, minus J. Whitton, the holder of the title, who punctured on the way out, passed. At this stage they were 12m Ss behind the limit riders, thus having mode up 10m 02s at almost the half-way mark.

At the Papalaira check Clarke and Francis appeared first, the watch reading 20.55. Only 1.25 later ennic along a bunch of six in which were the ultimate placed men. The field behind had begun to thin out, and of the lone riders who passed at intervals Galbraith was doing the best time. He wns then 4.S behind the leaders. The lour scratch men passed by 8.19 behind Uic limit men nnd in the fast run home with a slightly favouring wind their chances of making the head of tho field were very remote. Roberts (scr) fell shortly after passing Papakura, then a determined attempt to speed up the pace at Manurewa by Dwight and Mackie resulted in Wade's retirement. As stated previously, the two limit riders were being slowly overtaken and finally caught at Ellerslie by Leather, Clarke (off 10.40) and Francis and Whitehouse (off 8.40), with Stcen (off 13.80).

The oflichils hud the roncl cleared to the best of their ability when the first three put in an appearance. The trio was led by Leather, who seemed to have little difficulty in keeping at the head of affairs. He won by three "lengths, with Francis and Clarke separated by two lengths. The placed riders were :— J. Leather (T0.40) 1 (.'. Francis (8.40) 2 G.P.Clarke (10.40) ?. G. J. Whitehouse (8.40) 4 A. C. Steen (13.40) 3 W. Clarke (23.0) • 6 R. L. Francis (23.0) 7 C. L. Russell (13.40) 8 The championship title was won by H. R. Dwight (scr), who led A. Mackie, who had ii bad run over the last fifty yards owing to the crowd encroaching on to the concrete, by three lengths to record fastest time ini, 2h 15ni 545, thus clipping 6s off .1. Wliitteu's time of -\\ 16m registered in last year's event, when conditions were almost identical. Dwight finished 8.48 behind the Winner. It was a very popular victory, for all enthusiasts expected the championship title to rest between Dwight and Whitten. As the latter had punctured naturally Dwight was expected to have the issue to himself, but not so ,for Mackie, the sixteen-year-old scratch rider of tho Papanui Club, of Christchurch, gave him no end of concern throughout. Mackie started as an unknown quantity to many Auckland enthusists nnd naturally was not as seriously considered as he should have lieen. It was a pity that tho road was not clear when the two commenced their sprint. Immediately the race concluded competitors and officials were entertained to refreshments at the president's residence, Mr. H. G. Brewin'a, after which the successful riders wen; presented with the trophies which they had won.

AUCKLAND CLUB. The rnnrl race run under the auspices of the Auckland Cycle Club at Mangeie on Saturday was a 13.S miles handicap over two laps of the circuit. A ljno field of. nineteen riders started under ideal conditions. C. Yule, scratch junior ruler of the amateurs, was a starter and rode a good race. Following was the result :— R. Green (OJm) i C. Yule (:j»w) 2 V, Lowndes (2m 455) 3 G. Hall ('Jin 455) 4 Time of race, 40m 3 7s. Fastest time for the distance was registered by S. Hayes, sen., in 35m. At (he end of lap one. Green (Gl:n) was leading E. Clarke (f>jm) by half a minute; then came a big" bunch headed by Yule (31m), lui 15b behind the leader. Hayes (scr) lost Lindnp (who punctured), and was 3m 15s behind. Over the last lap Orreii held his lend, and coining over the hill was well in front, Huishinj; up nn easy winner by yOO yards. A big bunch of ten riders finished next. Yule paining second position in the sprint by half a length from Lowndes. Hall was fourth, a length away. This was Green's first start in a road race, and he put up a creditable ride; also Haye?, who practically rode the entire distance liupaeed.

THE RACE FROM HAMILTON. HANDICAPS DECLARED. The following handicaps have been declared by Mr. G. Knight for the Hamilton ti) Auckland road rnce to be held next Saturday:—N. 11. Bellringer. ser ; S. Hayes. .T. Lindop. J. 11. Hnrcourt. 8m : ,T. Henderson. \V. Francis, K. .T. Matliieson, 15m: P. Storey, it. F. Cnulton. ISm; O. K, Pllklnirton. L. R. Roberts, 20m : A. H. ttrlffiths, L G. Pinfold, P. Abprharf. 2oin: W. Hills, X. Benley, D. Aherlicrf, oOin: K. Clarke, <". Slack. "'2m : W. Arohcr. F. Lo\vmlr><s (V Hall. K. Kae. J. Jucnb. 34m : J. MrDonnld, If. Whyto, 42m. F. Taylor owin™ to n late entry will be handicapped during the week. Tho race is timed to finish at thf> Recreation Reserve, Oneliunsa, about 3.4j p.m. SOUTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP. CHRISTCHUKCH, Saturday. The thirty-six, miles South Island cycling championship resulted :—TT. W. Bennett (15m), 1; C Boarman (10?ni), 2: L. n. Toulsen (12m), 3, Fastftst time honours were pained by ,T. \V. Jordan (oin), who returned Hi 3Sm 21s.