CYCLING GOOD TIMES RECORDED IN SATURDAY’S RACES

Press, Volume C, Issue 29507, 8 May 1961, Page 6

CYCLING GOOD TIMES RECORDED IN SATURDAY’S RACES

Local cyclists had a fine day on Saturday for their weekly races. Conditions were not as good as they have been over the last few weeks, as there was a cold wind blowing which often causes riders to retire with cramp. On some courses there were head winds bnt good times were recorded. PAPANVI CLUB The 30-mlle handicap event from Papanui along the North road to the Waimakariri bridge then up the Tram road, proved a triumph for the limit rider. W. Straight. Just before the Waimakariri bridge Straight dropped his co-marker, C. McFarlane, and although he gained a fairly good lead on McFarlane did not get clear away for McFarlane rode strongly along the Tram road. Straight was the first to reach the turn, four minutes ahead of McFarlane. The scratch men were now nine minutes behind the leader. Straight having gained four minutes on him on the outward run.

Two miles after the turn the scratch men linked up with the break men and although they tried to go right past, the break men tagged on and most of them could not be shaken off. At the Waimakariri bridge, Straight led from two other riders by three minutes and these two were followed a minute later by the .scratch and break men.

In the back bunch no-one seemed prepared to make the pace and their stalling tactics gave Straight a great chance of taking the race. He rode well over the concluding stages to come through and win by 27 seconds from R. Mann, a scratch rider, who finished second. Straight's ride was a great effort for he rode 24 of the 30 miles on his own.

W. Thorpe one of the scratch riders, was very unlucky for three miles after the turn he touched C. Hibberd’s wheel and fell heavily on the road. He hit his head on the road and grazed an arm. In his fall his front tyre rolled off. In spite of this setback he soon had his tyre on again and set off after the others. He rode with great determination to come in only 4min isec behind Mann, who gained fastest time. In the morning the novices were out for their weekly race and over a distance of ’ seven miles G. Stanley just shaded M. Llttoff for first place and fastest time. Results are:—

W. Straight <l3min). 88:58.0, It R. Mann (scr), 74:25.0, 2; K. Jones (scr), 74:25.2. 3; B. Hack (2min). 76:25.4, 4; C. Hibberd (scr), 74:25.6 5; H. Bush (6min). 80:24.8, 6. Fastest time: R. Mann (scr). 74:25, Novice Race.—G. Stanley 1, M. Littolff 2. CHRISTCHURCH CLUB B. Berry rode well in the Christchurch club’s gear-con-trolled race to have a comfortable win over his co-marker. E. Livingstone, by 14 seconds Berry, who rode from the four minute mark, scored the double for apart from being the first man home also took fastest time. The race, which was an out-and-home event from Halswell towards Little River and return, was over a distance of 30 miles. D. Gutry, who only began racing in open company at the beginning of this road" season, has proved himself to be a sound competitor and with a few years’ more experience he undoubtedly will be a top-flight rider. His fifth place on Saturday was a great effort in a field of seasoned riders. G. McGregor, the veteran of the dub. is always a trier and on Saturday he rode well to finish in sixth glace, only one second behind ■utry. W. Long, who had his first ride in the boys’ race a week ago and came home a winner, repeated his performance and was the first man home on Sautrday. On Saturday he was hard pressed over the concluding stages, by the scratch men. K. Clinch and D. Gutry. Results are:— B. Berry (4min), 80:22.0. 1: B. Livingstone (4min), 80:36.0, 2: B. Dwight (ISmin). 95:8.0, 3; P. Blyth (ISmin), 97:44.0, 4; D. Gutry (13min), 96:9.0. 5; G. McGregor (13min). 96:100. 6. Fastest time: B. Berry (4min). 80:22.0. Boys’ Race —W. Long (3jmln), 14:18.0, 1: K. Clinch (scr), 11:10.0, 2; D. Gutry (scr), 11:11.0. 3; D. Cook (ISmin). 11:12.0, 4: D. Burgess (llmin). 12:15.0, 5: M. Sand (ISmin). 12:15.2, 6. Fastest time: K. Clinch (scr), 11:10.0. Avon Club The riders of the Avon club competed for the V. and B. trophy In a 20-mile geareontrolled handicap event. R. Kennedy, riding from the slxmlnute mark, was the winner. This was a great effort on the part of Kennedy, who was having his first ride of the season on a borrowed machine.

D. Rogers was the first rider to reach the turn, one and a half minutes clear of B. Mug-

ford, K. Barnden and Kennedy. Three miles after the turn Kennedy and Mugford gathered in Rogers and it appeared as if these three would dispute the finish for the major placings. Four miles further on Mugford had mechanical trouble and changed his machine with A. Tucker, but the time he lost put him out of the contest.

Two miles from the finish Kennedy started to pull away from Rogers and held on to win by 25sec. Eleven seconds later came Bishop and Painter. A little later the scratch men showed up and in the final sprint for time honours R. Fowler once again proved the master of the situation. With a well judged sprint he gained the decision from D. Wood by two lengths.

In the novice race over a distance of five miles, the back markers. K. Johnson and C. Farrant. caught the leaders. P. Smith and G. Sword, at the turn. At this stage Smith and Johnson lost ground and the other two went away to a good lead. Smith chased the leaders all the way home and half a mile before the finish linked up with them. In the final sprint Johnson went away to win from Smith by 4sec. with Sword 2sec further back in third place.

Results are:— R. Kennedy (ftnin), 51:19.0. 1; D. Rogers (lOmin). 55:44.0, 2: L. Bishop (IJmin), 48:25.0, 3; G. Painter (Ijmin), 48:27.0, 4: P. Davis (3min). 50:55.0, 5; R. Fowler (scr). 47:53.0, 6. Fastest time: R. Fowler (scr), 47:55.0. Novices’ Race.—K. Johnson (scr), 13:2.0, 1: P. Smith (Imin). 13:51.0. 2: G. Sword (Jmin). 13:55.0, 3. Fastest time: K. Johnson (scr), 13:2.0. Bovs’ Race.—K. Sword (Ijmin), 9:6:0, 1; G. Dunn (imln), 8:39.0. 2; Ben Taylor (2min), 9’51.0. 3: Barry Taylor (4mln). 11:51.2. 4. Fastest time: P. Frisken (scr), 7:55.0. Cash Cycling Riders of the eash code had their opening race of the season when the Hornby club conducted a 20-mile event on Saturday. B. Spicer, riding from the smin mark, was the winner, crossing the line 44sec ahead of G. McMullan. who filled second place. E. McCann, a co-marker with McMullan, was third only isec behind McMullan. Spicer also gained junior fastest time. The senior fastest time went to R. Harrison, who over the last year has shown a remarkable improvement In form and this season should be one of the hardest men on the back mark to beat.

Results are:— , B. Spicer (smln), G. McMullan (31mln), 49:a6.0. 2; E. McCann (3Jmin). 49:58.0, 3.