PROFESSIONAL CYCLING

Evening Star, Issue 22461, 5 October 1936, Page 7

PROFESSIONAL CYCLING

W. J. LAMBERTON’S DOUBLE

OTAGO AND N.Z. TITLES Following up his performance of carrying off the Otago 44-mile road cycling title at Kaitangata the previous week, the Christchurch rider, W. J. Lamberton, accomplished the double on Saturday afternoon by securing fastest time in the New Zealand professional 50-mile road cycling championship, thus taking the Dominion title. Lamberton actually finished ninth in the placings from the scratch mark, and he rode a very good race, especially over the latter half of the journey. Two of his co-markers dropped him near Berwick Hill, but he made a spirited recovery, and went away from them at the finish to add further laurels to his fine racing record. The race, which was decided on the handicap principle, with the title going to the rider gaining fastest time, was held in delightful weather, but a strong wind tried the riders out on the first stages of their long journey, which was around the Taieri block. No fewer than 31 riders faced the starter (Mr W. O’Neill), and these were drawn from all parts of the South Island. The handicap winner turned up in a young Kaitangata rider, A. Mackie, who was off the limit mark of 32min, and, with his co-markers, W. Haig and J. E. Matchett (both of Kaitangata), set the back men a stern task. Mackie was at the head of the field from start to finish,, and came in first in 2h 37min 7sec. Haig and Matchett dropped back over the last few miles, and finished sixth and tenth respectively. Mackie is a first-season rider, which makes his performance all the more meritorious. Second place was filled by C. Gread (Christchurch), who was off 16min, and rode a very solid race, beating last year’s winner, ,T. Elliott (Oamaru), who was off 17min, in the sprint home. Lamberton’s time to win the championship was 2h llrnin 23sec, and runner-up in the championship was A. Clemence (Christchurch), whose time was 2h 12min 17sec, J. H. Newlove (Christchurch), who finished thirteenth, taking third fastest time in 2h 17min sosec. The race was very ably controlled by officials of the Otago Athletic and Cycling Club, headed by the president (Mr G. M'Queen) and the secretary (Mr 11. H. Gordon). The organisation was first class, the event being decided without a hitch. Mr M'Queen was superintendent and referee, Mr IV. O’Neill starter, Messrs R. H. Gordon, S. Slater, and G. Morrison timekeepers; and Messrs IV. R. MTherson, IV. O’Neill, and P. Traill judges. Messrs H. G. Cooper and C. G. Gilchrist were a capable pair of Press stewards. THE COURSE. The race started from Burnside shortly after 2 o’clock, and the riders proceeded to Henley, turning there to Berwick, through Maungatua and Woodside to Outram, thence to North Taieri past the aerodrome to Wingatui, through Mosgiel, and back to the finish at Green Island, where a large crowd of spectators had assembled. THE STARTERS. The starters were :—A. Mackie (Kaitangata). T. Dillon (Dunedin), W. Haig (Kaitangata), J. E. Matchett (Kaitangata) 32min, J. Weir (Stirling), IV. Marsh (Dunedin), IV. C. Hale (Kaitangata) 28, L. Hale (Kaitangata) 24, F. Twist (Dunedin), E. A. Mackie (Kaitangata), L. G. Todd (Oamaru) 22, T. Guy (Dunedin). L. M'Aughan (Kaitangata)' 21. J. Woodford (Dunedin), W. Crook (Kaitangata) 18, J. Elliott (Oamaru) 17, C. Gread (Christchurch), J. Welch (Outram). C. Coman (Christchurch), W. Alien (Christchurch) 16, J. Marshall (Kaitangata) 15, C. Gluestien (Ashburton), L. Preddy (Tomuka) 13, A. J. Green (Christchurch). A, J. Hay (Dunedin), G. Heasley (Mosgiel) 11, H. G. Green (Christchurch) 8. J. H. Newlove (Dunsandel), A. Clemence (Christchurch). H. J. Smither (Christchurch), and IV. J. Lamberton (Christchurch) scr. THE RACE. Brilliant sunshine prevailed for the whole of the race, but the riders had to face a stiff wind on the outward journey. The first mishap of any note occurred between Allanton and Otokia, where Crook crashed, hut he was not badly hurt and remounted to take further part in the race. The limit men teamed well on the run to Henley, hut Dillon was dropped fairly early, and, turning towards Berwick, Matchett, Haig, and A. Mackie were riding strongly in a hunch at the head of the field, being followed six minutes later by Weir. ll'. Hale, and Dillon, The next hunch, comprising Todd, E. A. Mackie, and Twist, had caught up with L. Hale, and they went through another three minutes later, to be followed by M'Aughan and Guy. Then came Woodford, Allen, Gread, Elliott, and Welch. Near Berwick Hill, Smither and Clemence. two of the hack-markers, dropped Lamberton and Newlove, and, m turn, Lamberton went away from Newlove. Lamberton staged a great recovery, however, and when they turned to Woodside had almost gathered in the other scratch men. A. Mackie, Haig, and Matchett were going as well as ever as they rode through Outram, and five minutes after them came IV. C. Hale. Then came Coman, Elliott, Gread, Allen, Woodford, I;. Halo, 51.Anglian, E. A. Mackie, and Twist, who were followed liy Guy, Dillon, Welch, and Hay, the last-named being 10 minutes behind the limit men. They were followed by Hensley and Crook, and, 15 minutes after the limit men went past, came the hack bunch, comprising Lumberton, Smither, and Clemence, going well in a bunch.

Smither was dropped along the North Taieri road, hut Lamberton was going great guns, and over one short stretch was doing over 30 miles an hour. There was no change in the leading positions at Mosgiel, Haig, Matchett, and A. Mackie being still together. Matchett tired over the gruelling final stages, however, and dropped back, eventually to finish tenth. A. Mackie finished in great heart to win by 51sec from Gread, the Christchurch man, who improved his position considerably on the. Saddle, this rider beating last year’s winner. J. Elliott, by two lengths for second place. Thirty yards back in fourth place was Coman, followed closely by Allen and Haig. The first backmarker in was Lamberton, in ninth place, and he took fastest time comfortably and the championship title, Clemence being eleventh to secure second fastest time. THE PLACINGS. A. Mackie (Kaitangata), 32min, 2h 37min 7sec 1 C. Gread (Christchurch), ICmin, 2h 21min 58sec 2 J. Elliott (Oamaru), 17min, .2h 19rain 59sec ... 3 C. Coman (Christchurch), IGniin. 2h 22min 20sec ... 4 IV. Allen (Christchurch), 16min,- 2h 53miu 9sec 5 IV. Haig (Kaitangata), 32min, 2h 39min llsec • ... 6 L. M'Aughan (Kaitangata), 21min, 2h 32min 20sec ... ... 7 J. Woodford (Dunedin), 18min, 2h 29min 22sec 8 IV. J. Lamberton (Christchurch), scr, 2h llrnin 23sec ... 9 J. E. Matchett (Kaitangata), 32min, 2h 43min 54sec 10 A, Clemence (Christchurch), scr, 2h 12min 17sec 11 A. J. Hay (Dunedin), llrnin, 2h 27min 31sec ; 12 J. H. Newlove (Christchurch), scr, 2h 17min 55sec 13 H. G. Green (Christchurch), Smin, 2h 26min ICsec 14 C. Gluestien (Ashburton), 13min, 2h 36min ssec 15 FASTEST TIMES. IV. J. Lamberton (Christchurch), 2h llrnin 23sec 1 A. Clemence (Christchurch), 2h 12min 17sec ... 2 J. H. Newlove (Christchurch), 2li 17min 55sec ... 3 J. Elliott '(Oamaru), 2h 19min‘ 59sec 4 —First Otago Rider Home.— A. Mackie (Kaitangata). —First Visiting Rider.— C. Gread (Christchurch).