BISHOP VICTORIOUS IN CONTINENTAL CYCLING CONTEST

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 122, 26 May 1942, Page 7

BISHOP VICTORIOUS IN CONTINENTAL CYCLING CONTEST

Introduced as a novelty event in 1936, when J. Brown won witn 20 points, the Manukau Amateur Cycling Ciub's Continental style massed start races have always attracted an enthusiastic field, Saturaay's races were no exception, and 34 competed, A. I. Bishop being the victor with its points. The A grade race of 15 miles (six laps) brought together eight of the club's leading road riders, ana only Langridge and Asnton failed to get placed in any of the six sprints. Trearea was naturally in his element, for he is a strong sprinter, it would have been interesting to have seen N. F. Harvey (1940 and 1941 winner) in action, but he arrived too late to start. C. W. Shilton, ex-Canterbury road champion, made a welcome appearance, and he led two sprints by adopting his usual tactics of an early lead out on his highest gear. He tied for second place with youthful C. A. Scopes, who provided the surprise element in the event, for he was only a junior last year. Junior Lloyd figured in the final dash, while R. Wnitley started the third lap sprint so early tnat none took him senously until too late. Third last season, A. W. Stonex was last of the six who gained points. § V. A. Hills was responsible for starting the 18 B grauers off at a furious pace witn a 6.28' lap, which he led. Next time round vnn» was further back, with Saunders the leader. Then Bishop and G. R. Purdom, a combination of youth and experience, took command, and irom then on Bishop led each round* and on the final romped well away from Purdom. A- Wilson came in second, 44s after Bishop and just ahead of Hills. Bishop is perhaps the toughest distance rider among the junior section, and few would be surprised if he won the Helliwell Cup race of 25 miles next Saturday. Bishop's grand total of lb points was the best effort of the afternoon, for Purdom and Wilson only gained six each to tie for second. C. Flinkenberg appears likely to become prominent Jn junior competitions, as did his brother. R. P., in 1939. He won the "C grade race with 11 points and completely outclassed the field to finish on his own. J. Stonex started off well and then eased suddenly on the third round, while tiny R. Jensen, who comes across from Onehunga to race each week, eventually tied with Stonex with six points to be second. In this type of race S. Lloyd has as enviable a reputation as Harvey, for he won the *'C" grade in 1940 and the "B" grade last year. Still a junior, he shaped well with the best seniors last week. This year the pace was considerably laster, Tredrea taking 41.52; Bishop. 41.45. for 15 miles; and Flinkenberg rode the 10 miles in Th'e annual race of 25 miles for the Helliwell Cup, won by R. D. Herr.ck last year (with D Chacfleld faster) will be the Manukau Club's, fixture for next Saturday, and the large circuit of five miles will be used. Winner of the Papatoetoe Club's 22 miles race to Howick and back was the sturdy youth, K. Faithfull (off 11m), after a fine unpaced effort. He is cousin of Charles and Tom, who were associated with the earlier history of the Manukau Club. Burly w. Ferguson was in better form and gained time honours in 57.43, the fastest ride done last Saturday. Unfortunately for competitors In the LynndaleNorthern events last Saturday, the back stretch of the New Lynn circuit was under repair, making conditions most unpleasant for the 20 riders competing. The first five placings in the 10-mile junior event were monopolised by Lynndale riders when J. McArthur (5.30) scored his first win by over a minute from W. Morton (3.0), who was only inches ahead of his co-markers. Ford and Carnell. The scratch men were watched with interest, as they were track champion R. Meredith (who recently broke the Manukau course record) and the Northern scratch man. H. Jones. Meredith seemed to be having an off day. aa Jones was extending him at all stages, finally sprinting Meredith by three lengths in the time of 31.4.

J. Caudwell has not yet returned to his form shown at Matamata's Easter meeting, when he won the points cup, and he retired after a lap. A tribute must be paid to the small and wiry D. Ringrose (1.30), who rode the whole distance unpaced, to finish only 45s slower than the fastest man.

Northern riders had the senior 18 miles well accounted for, with a bunch of six leading up to 12 miles, but punctures left T. Garrod (5.0) in front on his own to win. J. Hill, Hughes and O'Gorman were the scratch group, and Hill and Hughes combined with R. Herk (1.0) so well that they were within a minute of the winner. A spirited finish gave Hill second place and fastest time in 54.36. The advantage of carrying repair outfits was proved when S. Sargent. J. Garrod and w. Dagg punctured and were saved a twomile walk home. L. Laloli, who began racing over eight years ago. is improving with every race, and will carry off a trophy with a little more training.