CYCLING DUEL.

Shannon News, 16 March 1926, Page 3

CYCLING DUEL.

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. AUCKLAND, Last Night. The .prospects of some exhilarating racing between Harris Horder (Australian champion cyclist), and Phl . O’Shea' (New Zealand champion). Blandford park stadium. on Sat " l ' evening were spoilt by a chapter accidents, ending in both aiders falling heavily and Hordm- receiving rather severe injuries which may prevent him from riding for time. Although an X-ray examm ation will be necessary to determine the exact nature of Herder’s injuries it is believed that he has broken a LUe his right foot. In addition, he sustained painful abrasions on leg and thigh. . O’Shea was' more fortunate, but h was badly shaken and also . abrasions. However, his injuries were not serious, and he was able to compete again later in the evening. Misfortune appeared to dog Hord , as he fell twice in three starts. Hi first mishap occurred m the hrst of the three-match races with OSh a, which were -the star events on the programme. From a good start, Hor-. der went out to follow the pacer, and until the second and final } a P wa ® nearly completed he was about a length ahead of O’Shea. Just as he was turning the bend leading mto the straight, his bicycle sodded and he was thrown heavily. O Shea swerved clear and sped on to win in lmin 8 l-ssecs. To the relief of the crowd of 5000, Horder rose unhurt and made his way back to the pavThe Australian champion next started in the open handicap of fourla f s and won with a great burst of speed iD O’Shea S' tte tliira heat in 2 n.ine 9 Shortly before the final, ankle began to swell, but he decided to start and limped to the scratch mark to take his stand alongside O’Shea. Both kept together over the first two laps" and then Horder drew slightly ahead. He was still _n front about. 20 yards from a spot where he had previous! yfallenwhen he suddenly fell, bringing O Shea down-also. Both cyclists fell heavily and had to be assisted to the dressingroom. Horder was in great pain ana had to be taken to Auckland hospital and treated in the casualty-ward, but it was not possible to ascertain whether he had broken a bone in his foot as suspected. ' Horder has numerous engagements to fulfil in America, and has booked a passage on the Niagara, leaving on Tuesday. O’Shea was a starter in the final event of the evening, th e Horder farewell invitation scratch race, but a punctured tyre put him out of the rafce»