CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 226, 24 September 1929, Page 13

CYCLING.

THE CASH RIDERS.

HAMILTON TO AUCKLAND

CHAMPIONSHIP.

NEXT WEEK.

SUCCESS OF KEW RIDERS. FIXTURES. September 2S—-Hamilton to Auckland (Xorth Islund Championship). October 5—13.8 Miles Handicap two laps of circuit, Mangere). Next Saturday will be the big day of tie year lor cash riders in the Auckland province, -a-hen the al]-important Hamilton to Auckland classic, promoted by the Auckland Cycle Club, will be contested! This year will be the fifth contest and the second effort of the A.C.C., who last year had the pleasure of lining up u record field. It is to be hoped that the weather prophets will be kinder this year than last, as the race was run in a howling gale and pouring flood of rain. Given a line day the record for the race should this year be broken, as the roads are steadily being improved.

The entries received tor tile race, while not approaching last year's record of 43, are good nevertheless, 27 of the best cash riders having entered to battle over the 80 odd miles. Every rider must be absolutely fit, for there is no mistaking the fact that the course is the hardest in Kcw Zealand, with its numerous hills to negotiate. With such road men as N. H. Bcllringer (1928 winner), J. A. Henderson (1927 winner),' Slater Hayes, J. Lindop, J. Harcourt, W. Francis, K. J. Mathieson, D. Storey and L. G. Penfold in next week's contest, the public are assured of witnessing a good finish at the recreation reserve, Onehunga. Southern riders are not so numerous as last year and Aucklanders should give a good account of themselves, as they are all pretty fit, having had the necessary long races in the club events. The writer would not like to forecast the winner, but Aucklanders with excellent chances are Hayes, Lindop, Harcourt, Francis, Henderson, Mathieson, Penfold, Hall, Lowndes, Clarke and Jacob. The scratch man is due to leave Hamilton at noon, and the winner should turn up about 3.45 p.m. at the orounds. Riders note that the train feaves at 7.40 p.m. Friday evening and they cannot travel by the Limited express. Feeding and check stations along the route are Huntly, Te Kauwhata, Mercer, and Papakura, and competitors turn at the Monument, Otahuhu, thence via Mangere, to Onehunga grounds. The writer's wish is, may the best man win.

The 13.8 miles handicap conducted by the Auckland Cycle Club on Saturday, over two laps of the circuit, saw a record field of 23 riders face the starter. Ideal weather was the order of the day, though a strong wind retarded the contestants over parts of the course. If the record field was a surprise, it was nothing to the surprise that was recorded by two new riders in the cash ranks, who finished first and second after riding Bplendidly. These were R. Green, who was having his first ride in a road race, and C. Yule, ex-amateur junior. Slater Hayes secured fastest time hon-ours-after a splendid unpaced ride. In the race the order of the riders at lap one was Green (6im) leading E. Clarke (61m) by half a minute. Then came Yule (3Jm) a big bunch, who in turn were 1.15 behind. , Hayes (scr) had lost Lindop at Robert- ! son Road corner and was 3.15 in arrears. I Green still held his position in lap two., and coming over the hill for the finish was well in the lead and pedalling well.. He never gave the others a chance, for he came on to win easily by 300 yards. The finish for second place was the brightest spot in the race, when seven sprinted for the chalk mark. Yule, with a good effort, gained the position by half a length from Lowndes, with Hall a length away, fourth. R. Green (6im), the winner, who was having his first ride in a race, was indeed the surprise packet of the season's racing. For a rider to come out and win at his first attempt says much for his ability. He not only sits his machine well, but has a beautiful action, and with good coaching should be a great asset to the ranks. Starting off with another new man, in E. Clarke, he dropped him in Robinson Road, and rode the rest of the journey unpaced, which made his performance even better.

C. Yule (3im), ex-amateur, second, gained this position after registering one of the best efforts seen in the club's races this season, as he is only a lad of 16. During the season he has been racing with the juniors in the amateur ranks, and off scratch has been recording some splendid ride 3 and times. He is a fine stamp of a lad, being solidly built, and when it came to sprinting,, showed that he excels in this department. To come from the juniors to the cash ranks is a big step, but this did not worry him, for he rode like a champion, being out in front forcing the pace with riders who were well seasoned. Next season should see him in the first flight in the cash ranks, for he has a big heart. F. Lowndes (2m 455), third man was in a like position last week, and is still as consistent as ever. He gamed another point for the cup, and is now two points in the lead—he deserves to be. When it came to sprinting with Yule, he could not foot it with him. Tim should ride a great race next Saturday, if he doesn't "puncture. G. Hall (2m 455), fourth, was looked upon by many to be a winner when it came to the final sprint, but his position was the best he could do. Hall should also go well next week. Slater Hayes (scr), fastest time winner, showed by his unpaced performance that he is in splendid order for his ride in the big classic next Saturdav. Last year he had a bad knee, and finished seventh, but this year he will be in splendid order. Slater's ambition is to add the blue riband towards his already good collection of trophies. Besides Green and Yule, another new rider joined the club on Saturday in P. Clarke, brother of R. Clarke, of Papakura, and showed that he should not be long in following up the performances of his brother. . • Another convert to the cash ranks is P. Taylor, one of the amateurs good riders, who has entered for the Hamil-ton-to-Auckland race next week. ±Ie should go well over the distance, for he -won a 324-mile handicap over the Ihumatao course a few weeks back.