CYCLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2086, 11 January 1908, Page 6 (Supplement)

CYCLING.

. L \ UNIUUC 1,-.Auk. Tiiek Burston Blare—a live mile event, contested at me Austral \\ neei rtaeo at -Ueibourne —was responsible ior a situation probably unprecedented in tire History oi cyeie racing, there was a. Ing held at tne start of tlie race, but witn two laps to go tiro tinitii was left to five titters —meinr, Davies, Horuer,, Biunkett, and Hilliard. When the bell rang for tne nnai lap lUiliard had dropped out, and the race was between Biunkett, Davies, Herder and Hehir. The four riders were pedalling gamely, and speculation was being indulged in as to who would prove the victor, when a remarkable thing happene d^JJn eoT—’* the riders came down, and" in quick succession the other three cyclists followed his example. For a moment there was a race without riders—but for a moment only. Cyclists are resourceful and quick to act. Millard, who had given up all hope of securing a place, was tlie first to grasp the situation. He had slowed down,- and was just prepared to dismount, when the accident occurred. Suddenly his idle speculations a 6 to the probable result of the race changed into active interest. Bending forward over the handles of his machine, he gathered speed in a few lengths, and made for the winning-post. In the meantime the victims of the accident had not been idle. Two of them were so disabled that they could not remount. Another, remembering that if he could pass the post first, the laurels would bo his, gazed angrily at Ills wrecked machino then grabbed it up in his arms and started to run towards the judges. . Hehir was more fortunate. His machine was comparatively sound, and, mounting it in a trice, he followed Millard to the winning-post. Another cyclist awoke to the situ-S----ation. M. B. Bobie, who had abandoned hope a couple of laps before, quickly remounted, and. proceeding twice around the track, he completed, li is 20 laps, and finished third. The remarkable race was thus won by Millard. Hehir being second, and Dobie third. The finish was loudly cheered by the spectators.

Says the “Bulletin” :—'The new wooden “saucer” 'track in Melbourne V , A is, at time of writing, practice, and will bo opcn^d.asl'ihra carnival on the night of January 11. J Motor bike and tandem races are to , be special features, and it is estimated that the motor bikes will soar up to 60 miles an hour. Certainly, if any- A thing will revive cycle racing in'Mel- ; bourne, it is this saucer track; but ; it is an open question if tlie game isn’t too ancient and fish-like for resuscitation. Floyd MacFaiTane is ‘ general manager, secretary, and general high iianjandrmn to. the new venture. which has cost, up to date, about .£2600. Arrangements have been praetf- j tally settled for another Australasian j .racing tour by Major Taylor. Tlis e'3 first appearance vs to he on tlm Sydney Cricket Ground next November. According to advices received, the famous negro sprinter has regained all liis old-time form, and will give as- "1 pirants for sprinting honors all they J know to keep, aherfT7>f him.. son. Kramer-, Taylor., and our hwn 1 A. J. Clark visit »’’\ n -opc for the com-. j ing- racing s-‘' sonj there should ho j some fin* " ma tch racing, as the Coutin- j s>'**'i quartette, El’cgaard, Rutt, Friol, and ex-amateur champion Devoissoux, are all reported to bo m .rood form, and the promoters should" ] have no difficulty in arranging meetings. Taylor’s friends think he will j defeat- all-comers. -*