RECORD ESTABLISHED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 4, 28 September 1937, Page 13

RECORD ESTABLISHED

-Presa Asaociation.)

Palmerston to Wanganui Road Race

(By Telegraph-

WANGANUI, Sept. 25. Record time was established in. the Palmerston North . to Wanganui road cycle race on Saturday by G. Amey, Wellington, who covered the 48 miles in 1 hour 45 minutes 17 seconds. Amey, who recently won the Wellington dis tric.t ehampionship, put up an outstanding performance. The race attracted record entries, and more than 70 cyclist's faced the starter. Conditions were ideal and a following wind cnabled the conlestants to complete the journey. in much better time than last year, when a stifiE head wind was responsible for a gruelling Tide for the full 48 miles. J. Johnston, Wanganui (lCmin.) was the first man home, covcring the -distance in 1 hour 55 minutes 3 seconds. Other placed men were: R. King, Wanganui (16min), lhr. 55min. 4sec., 2; L. Couchmau, Wanganui (14£min), lhr. 55min. 35sec, 3; R. Evans, Wellington, lhr. 45min. 17 2-5secs., 4. The West Coast junior ehampionship was decided in conjunction with the big race, and the title was won by A AUen, Feilding (6min), who covered the distance in lhr. 48min. 41sec. The runner-up for the ehampionship was E. Little, Palmerston North (lOmin.) his time being lhr. 52min. 42sec. The following wind proved a disadvantage to the scratch men, O. Disley, F. Franklyn, R. Dutton, and G. Amey, Wellington, and H. Rogers, Palmerston North, M. Green, Hawera, W, Pidwell, Wanganui, and W. Williams, Napier, Travelling pver a bitumen surface for the full distance, the first men away were able to" gain an early advantage and make a better pace than would have been possible if conditions had been less favourable The more experienced riders were faced with a stiff proposition from the start, but as the times indicate, the race was closely contested. The race atarted from Rangitikei street, Palmerston North, and the finishing line was near the Town Bridge, Wanganui, whero a large crowd assembled shortly before 2.30 p.m. Only a few yards separated the first placed men as they approached the finish, and from then onwaTds the remainder of the contestants came home at frequent intervals. The riders who gained fastest time, all of whom were scratch men, finished almost in a bunch, with Amey leading from R. Dutton and F Frauklyu. Dutton 's time was lhr, 45min. 17 l-5sec., and Franklyn '• wa* lhr. 45min. 17 2-5secs. Aniey rode eonsistently well and maintained a slighl lead. The race was conducted by the Wanganui Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, and the trophies were presenteo by Mr. A. C. Danielson.