PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Evening Star, Issue 22464, 8 October 1936, Page 4

PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

SUCCESS OF FIFTY-MILE EVENT The New Zealand 50-mile road cycling championship was a race fairly representative of {he South'lsland wheelmen, and its success was due to thorough organisation on the part of the Otago Athletic and Cycling Club. No one worked harder than the secretary (Mr R. H. Gordon), and the arrangements went off without the slightest hitch. A willing band of officials, under the direction of the president (Mr G-, M'Queen) ably controlled the, race. One of the most pleasing features was the success that attended members of the newly-formed Kaitangata Club, the showings made by_ several of the South Otago men auguring well for the success of their club.'

Three of them set the back-markers a difficult task, swinging along from the limit mark of. 32min at a merry pace all the’way. This trio consisted of A. Mackie, _W. Haig, and J. E. Hatchett, and it was only over the hill in the closing stages that Haig and Hatchett were unable to stay with Mackie, who went away on his own and rode in 51sec ahead of. C. Gread, the Christchurch rider, who filled second place. Mackie’s performance was a good one, as he is a first season rider, but full of grit and determination. More should be heard of this rider. '

Haig and Matchett eventually finished sixth and tenth respectively, Matchett fading considerably in the closing stages. Nevertheless, both rodo good races. Gread was off the ICmin mark, and put up a very good ride for second place, his strong finishing burst taking him over the line, a couple of lengths ahead of J. Elliott, the Oamaru rider, who won the race last year. Elliott is a consistent performer, and went a solid race all the way. The Christchurchh men were all well up in the placings, C. Coman and AV. Allen being prominent among the 16min markers who teamed well throughout. Coman was fourth and Allen fifth.

L. M‘Anglian (Kaitangata) rode a solid race for seventh v place, and the first Dunedin man home was. J. Woodlord (18min) ; who finished eighth. The championship resolved itself into a tussle between the back-markers, and) AV. J. Lamberton added to his fine record by securing fastest time by a margin of 54aec. It was indeed a striking performance on his part to carry off the honours in this race after winning the Otago 44-mile title the previous week. He is a fine stamp of rider with rare judgment of pace, and he is very pretty to watch in action. At one stage it appeared! as though Smither and Clemence were going to drop him, but he made a great recovery and eventually he and Clemence dropped Smither (who is more at home over the shorter distances). In the closing stages Lamberton drew away from Clemence to register a popular win.

Clemence also -rode very well for second fastest time, and he" and Lam'icrton teamed well over the latter !ia!f of the. journey. The race attracted a -lot of interest, and a word 'of praise is due to the : siting, riders who supported both the Uago and New Zealand championships ’ well.