CYCLING ROAD RACE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 55, 29 November 1926, Page 13

CYCLING ROAD RACE

42 MILES THROUGH WIND AND RAIN

WELLINGTON RIDER WINS

Mud-splashed and weary, the majority of competitors in the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club’s cycle road race on Saturday, from the Basin Reserve to Trentham and back (a distance of 4miles), finished the journey after some two hours of heavy going through driving wind and rain. The race was won by M. Gane. of the Wellington Club, who had three minutes handicap, while fastest time was registered by the second man, F Grose, cf Canterbury, whose actual time from scratch was llir. 55inin. 45 l-10sec. Despite the heavy rain that fell almost incessantly throughout the afternoon. there was quite a large crowd at the Basin Reserve to see the start and finish of the race, in which 44 competitors took part. As each rider crossed the line he was loudly applauded by those on the stand, while at the conclusion of the meeting the club's blue riband and gold medal for the fastest time was presented to Grose amid hearty cheers from the crowd. Tt had been intended to hold a programme of athletic events in conjunction with the cycle race, but owing to the boisterous weather they were postponed until this evening.

Competitors finished in the following order; M. Gane (3min.), 2hr. 13min. 15sec., 1; F. Grose fscr.), ihr. 13min. 45 1-10 sec., 2; T. Hayes ffimin.). 2hr. 13min (fisec., 3; R. W. Robinson (11 min.), 2hr. 13min. 55see„ 4: H. Toomer Hsmin.). 2hr. 17min. 3dsec., 5; FL de Grnt (IGniin.l, 2hr. 17min. 37scc., 8; G. Kilpatrick (15min,)_ 2hr. Simin. 13sec„ 7; .T Prendergast dfimin.), 2hr. 23min. 55sec., 3; R. J. Clark (12min.). 2hr. 23niin. 58sec., 9; W. Ogg (13min.), 2hr. 24min. Ilsee., 10: W. Duff d3min.), 12hr. 24min. losec.. 11; ,T. Carswell (scr.), 2hr. 25min, 14sec„ 12; C. Flett (scr.), 21ir. 25min 27sec., 13; .1. Scobie (Imin.). 2hr. 25min. 27sec„ 14: T. Oakley (scr.), -hr. 25min. 35sec., 15; S. Wright (llmin.), 2hrs„ 27min. 4fisec., 1(1; 11. Hill (7min.), -hr. 34min. 52sec„ 17; K. Williams (18 min.), 2hr 34min. 53sec„ 18; L. Bird tlftmin.), 2hr. 35min. Msec., 19; G. Capper Minin.),. 2hr. 35min. 56sec„ 20. Fastest times were recorded by F. Grose, Ihr. 55min. 5 l-10sec., and M. Gane, Ihr. 58min. 45scc. The limit men loft the starter at 2.22 p.m., and those on scratch—F. Grose (Canterbury), T. Oakley (Masterton), C. Flett (W.A.A.C.), J. Carswell (W.A.A.C.) 18 minutes later. From the outset bad luck dogged Oakley, who had no fewer than five spills between the Basin and Thorndon, and took tha prong street. At Taita, Kilpatrick was in the lead, closely followed by Horsfall; Then enmo A. Clarke, one of the limit men, R. W. Robinson (llmin.), R. J. Clarke (12min.), W. Duff (13min.), .1. Prendergaast (lOinin.), J. de Grut (12min.), S. Wright (llmin.). These were followed by a bunch consisting of J. H. Monris (7min.), H. Hill (7min.), Grose, with M. Gano and H. Scarfe, with 3min.. near at hand, while next came the three remaining scratch men, Carswell, Flett, and Oakley. Horsfall was the first man to turn for home at Guinn's Post, just beyond Trentham. Through Petone on the return journey Kilpatrick was in the lead, followed by Horsfall. Duff, Robinson, R. J. Clark, and Prendergaast. Before reaching Ngahauranga, where J. 11. Morris had a nasty spill, which resulted in a bad wound to his shoulder and necessitated him being brought in in the relief van which followed the race, Grose had gone to the front. For the greater part of the concluding few miles the contest resolved itself into a battle royal between Grose, Robinson, T. Hayes, and Gnne. Fntering the Basin, Gane and Grose broke away for the final sprint around the track, the latter having a small lead until within a hundred yards of the tape. In the last desperate struggle, however. Gane got the verdict by half a wheel from Grose. There was a hold bid for third place between Hayes and Robinson, Hayes getting the honour by about a length. THIS EVENING’S MEETING.

The events to be decided this evening and time of starting are: 5.30 p.m., 100 yds. junior handicap; 5.32, 100yds. handicap (heats); 5.37, boys’ motor-tire race; 5.42, ladies’ relay; 5.47, one mile cycle handicap (heats); 5.52. 100yds. final; 5.53, 100yds. girls’ race; 5.58, boys’ cycle race; 6.3,' one mile handicap; 6.8, 100yds. club race (heats); 6.10, 880yds. veterans’ walk; 6,15, one mile cycle handicap (final); 6.20, lOOvds. Indies’ championship; 6.22, 220vds. hoys’ race; 6.25, 100yds. club final; 6.30. 100yds. girls’ skipping race; 6.30, throwing the javelin; 6.35, 75yds. ladies’ race (heats); 6.40, 440yds. handicap; 6.45. 75vds. ladies’ final. The Gisborne ladies* athletic team winch is visiting Wellington, will also meet the local ladv athletes. An invitation has been extended to “Miss New Zealand," who will arrive from Auckland to-day. to be present at the meeting and present the ladies’ cup to the winner at about 6 o’clock. Nothing definite has been arranged m this connection, but it is hoped that Miss New Zealand and her Mnid of Honour will both be able to attend.