Six Days, Bicycle Race.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 41, 15 December 1911, Page 16

Six Days , Bicycle Race.

Interest in the six clays' bicycle race which is to be held in Sydney next January is now becoming more keen, and the arrival during last week of several intending competitors from America has drawn attention to the fact that the big event is drawing near. The conditions of the race will be as follows:—Originally the first prize was fixed at £750j but it has been altered to £700 to make prizes of £30 and £20 for the fourth and fifth teams, while the second team receives £200 and third £50. This takes up £1000, and special prizes are to be allotted to every team completing the journey and to those teams riding 1800 miles. The race will start at midnight (12.5 a.m.) on January 1, and will finish at 10.5 on January 6. The race will be a continuous one of 142 hours, the teams having the right to relieve each other for spells as they think fit, but no rider will be allowed to be on the track for longer than 12 hours in each 24. It is specified that, in the case of teams, or the individual components slowing down the mileage to a ridiculously low rate of speed, such team or teams, or individual components thereof, may forfeit all rights to the prize or other moneys' guaranteed by the management, subject to the decision of the referee. Suitable rooms are to be provided by the management for the competitors, and the riders are also to be fed during the race from a suitable menu approved by a medical man. Any articles of food not on the menu and desired by the riders will have to be provided by themselves. Competitors can, at their own option, provide their own food. A special track is to be laid out at the Sydney Cricket Ground on the grass, just inside the asphalt track —and, in the event of rain, the referee can," at his discretion, order all riders to continue the race on the said, grass track. While the sprint races to be run in conjunction with the meeting are being contested, the six-day riders will also ride on the inner grass track, if directed by the referee. Riders-*will not be permitted to gain laps while on the grass. In the event of any riders falling out through any cause whatsoever,, necessitating the re-formation of team or teams, such teams must go one lap behind their accredited combined score. In the event of a competitor falling and the referee considering it to be the result of an accident, the rider in question will be allowed a-maxi mum of three laps—nearly a mile — before again riding, or to be replaced by his team mate without losing any laps. This is a very wise clause in the condition, and one which will find approval with the riders. It is at tlie discretion of the referee to take into consideration the case of any contestant who falls so far behind that he has no chance in the race, to declare any such contestant out of the race. AH riders are to be medically examined before they will be allowed to race. Entries close on December 9. The sixday riders are not to be permitted to take part iai the sprint races which are to be run in conjunction with the carnival.