Otaki Rider's Fine Effort In Big Road Race

Chronicle (Levin), 12 October 1948, Page 3

Otaki Rider's Fine Effort In Big Road Race

In securing second place in a field of 48' rrders in the road race from Otaki to Wellington on Saturday, Pat Roach, of Otaki Railway, proved to be a. worthy representative of the Otaki Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club. He turned in a very fine performance indeed for a rider with practically no experience of roa'd racing, and as the field contained the New Zealand junior champion and the provincial champion, Roach has every reason to be proud of the display he gave. Two valuable prizes came his way, a set of gears valued: at £4 and the Otaki Transport Company's silver cup, valued at £7 10s. Other Otaki riders to secure honours" were Ian Mudgway; who finished in tenth place, just behind the scratch men, after meeting with a reverse at Johnsonville, and Earl Walsh, (third Otaki rider to finish) who filled fifteenth position after being prominent for the major portion of the journey, aird who annexed the Eustace cup valued at £7 10s for the first Otaki rider to Paekakariki. He also won a very valuable travelling bag which was awarded to the youngest rider to finish, while Roy Collis secured a wallet awarded to the first Otaki rider to reach Waikanae. As most of these lads are making their initial appearance in a road race, their efforts were of a high .standard and the Otaki. Club has every reason to feel gratified at the outcome. There is little doubt' that the organised training rides the club has arranged for the local riders has paid good dividends. It also augurs well for the future of the club that of the 48 Who faced the starter, . the Otaki Club fielded the greatest number of entrants, 11. Riders were present from the Port Nicholson Club (8>, Palmers-, ton North (7), Nelson (5), Petone (3), Blenheim (2), Poneke (3), Feilding (3), Pahiatua (3) and Wanganui, Manawatu and Stratford (1 each). A large crowd assembled at the Otaki Post O'ffice to see them off. The organisation left nothing to be desired. A microphone had been set up, offi-. cials who were present were busily engaged inspecting every bicycle and the Anglican Hall had been made available for the riders to change in. Added to this a lorry was available to convey the clothing and.personal effects of the riders to Wellington, and St. John; Ambulance and Transport officers Avere on duty. . , . . ; A few minutes befofe the riders were called into their respective

starting places/the Mayor, Mr. C. F. Atmore, addressed the gathering over the loudspeaker. After describing the many trophies attached to the event, he extended congratulations -to- the promoters on the efiicient organisation and wished the competitors every success. . In bright sunshine the field got away to an excellent start, with only a slight breeze facing the riders for thd early part of the trip. The front markers, made play for almost two-thirds of the journey and at Pukerua front places were held by T. D. Goatham, A, A. Rice and J. F. Taylor, with M. Holmes, J. T. O'Malley and • E. Walsh handy. At Paremata Goatham broke away from Taylor, with Walsh starting to tire. - The main bunch were about li miles back, led by Carroll, who picked up the leaders on the Wellington side of Porirua, with Roach in pursuit. Results were: — J. Carroll (Poneke), 8 mins., 1; P. Roach (Otaki), 10 mins., 2; G. Wade (Pahiatua), 10 mins., 3; T. Goatham (Port Nicholson) , 20 mins., 4; Wanstall (Nelson) , 12 mins., 5; Howes (Nelson, N.Z. champion) , scr., 6; Main (Wanganui), 6 mins., 7; Alexander (Port Nicholson, provincial champion), scr., 8. Trophies valued at £20 for fastest time went to Howes, who returned 2 hrs. 14 mins. 1 1/5 secs., and trophies for second fastest time to Alexander, who took 2/5ths of a second longer than Howes, with Carroll returning third fastest. Des. Smith, of Otaki, "blacked out" ' on the Johnsonville hill 'and ran over a bank, ,but luckily came to no harm.