WEDNESDAY ROAD CYCLE RACE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3544, 30 September 1926, Page 2

WEDNESDAY ROAD CYCLE RACE.

WON BY K. MARTIN

The Foxton Amateur Cycling Club held their second road race in connection with their Wednesday competition yesterday evening. Fourteen competitors faced the starter. The race was a five mile one (five times round the Johnston St. block) and was the cause of a good deal of local interest. The handicaps were as follows: — Sharp on go, Parfilt, E. Coley and J. Satherley, 50 secs; J. Smith, W. Williams* and Marshall 25 secs; P. Honour and G. Coley, 20 sees; D. Satherley losecs; Cunninghame lOsecs; J. K. Martin and C. Huff scratch.

W|illiams came to grief in the third lap through colliding with a dog in front of the Post Office. He was not ipjurcd, however, but his bike sustained a-bent frame. The finish/ was very close, Martin won with P. Honour 2nd, G. Coley 3rd and J. Smith 4th, all well bunched. Cunninghame dropped out. SOCIAL EVENING. A very pleasant social evening was held in Walls tea rooms last night, when the Foxton Amateur Cycling Club, on behalf of the public of Foxton, made a presentation |o Mr Keith Martin, the local competitor in the Palmerston N. to Wellington road race. Although lie was not placed Martin, who is only 16 years of age, put up a very meritorious performance. The, evening look the form of a smoke concert.. At, a suitable juncture, Mr G. F. Smith, vice-president of the Club, presented Mr Martin with a handsome silver cup, subscribed by the sports of Foxton. In doing so, he said that three local riders had nominated for the race, but Martin was the only one who-bad started, lie- bad finished the course, and great credit was due to him for bis endurance and pluck, mor so when it was remembered that he had started practically untrained. It was quite probable that he would have been, much nearer the first man had club members taken him more seriously and trained him. However, i lie whole of Foxton’s interest had been centred on him during the race and it had been decided to give him sQine lasting recognition of his performance. He I lien asked Dir Martin lo accept 'the handsome silver cup as a memento of the race, and congratulated him on his performance and wished him good luck, health, and continued fitness.

All joined in singing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow;” after which cheers were given and Martin s health was drunk.

Mr Martin snr. responded and thanked the club and people of Foxton) for the interest taken in his boy. Keith also responded. During the evening musical and vocal items were rendered and an enjoyable time was spent by all.

A committee meeting of the Clhb was held last evening, when it was decided that the Wednesday competition close on the last Wednesday in November, ten races in all being decided on.

Next Wednesday a frfteeX mile race will be held (three times round the Cemetery block), to be followed by five, ten, and three mile races on following Wednesdays. The prizes decided on are as follows: —Ist cup value £3; 2nd, medal,'value £2; 3rd, medal, value £1; 4th, medal, value 10/-. The points to date are as follows: Martin, 8, P. Honour 5, D. Satlierley 3, a Coley 2, J; Smith 1, J. Gnpwell 1.

Mr T. Blanchette has undertaken the training of Messrs J. K. Martin, G. Coley and P. Honour.