CYCLING THRILLS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18894, 8 January 1927, Page 18

CYCLING THRILLS.

TO-NIGHT AT THE STADIUM. Patrons at English Park Stadium to-night will be presented with s wall-varied programme of cycling events, embracing motorpaced cycling, the quarter-jnile New Zealand track championship, and several handicap races. It is a long time since sncli a collection of champions met at a sports gathering. There are several aspirants for championship honours in the quarter-mile New Zealand championship. Frank Carey, the present holder, will have to give of his best to stave off the determined challenge of J. Beannan, who carried all before him in the big Timaru meeting last week. Beannan has a remarknble jump, which will no doubt carry him to victory in the big event. Phil O'Shea, the best all-round cyclist New Zealand has produced, will make his first appearance at a Christchnrch meeting after a long spell, and is now in championship form, and expects to annex the honour from the exceptionally strong field. Clarrie Bright will also make a bold bid for the championship. His form at the Timaru meeting was very impressive, and gained him many Eupporters who are confident that he will prove victorious. Recont country meetings have brought Clarrie Austin to the fore, and he is regarded by many to be a likely winner. Several other riders have been performing brilliantly at sports meetings, amongst them being J. McGirr, A. C. Eitchie, H. Burnand, C. S. Parker, and C. J. Sowden. On their performances the chances of these riders cannot be denied, and the four heats promise to provide exceptionally good contests. A motor-paced match race will be rnn between two well-known Chri6tchurch performers, A. C. Ritchie and Hector Burnand, and the race should provide a series of thrills. The race will be decided ovor three distances of two miles each. I

Thirty-five events will be run off, and the handicap events have attracted a record entry, including several country riders, the Timaru crack, W. R. Willmott, being amongst them.

The meeting: is under the management of the Mairehau Sports Club. The first event trill start at eight o'clock.