Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 8, 31 March 1927, Page 7

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

(BY

“CHAINWHEEL.” )

FIXTURES. April 2.—Manukau Club 17-mile road race, Mangere. April 9.—Te Awamutu track races. April 16.—Auckland championships, Hamilton. April 3 B.—Track races, Ngahinepouri. Large fields and keen competition characterised the track races held last Saturday in the Domain. There was a surprisingly poor attendance of the public, but those who were present were treated to some skilful and speedy cycling, as is usual when Bray, Casey and Byrnes are participating. The day’s sport was marred by the nasty mix-up which took piace in the first heat of the mile handicap. Although it was the original of the Auckland Club to decide the races counting for the Victor Ludorum Medal to-morrow on the Outer Domain, it was deemed advisable, in view of the extremely rough surface of the track to allow the medal to be won by the rider gaining the most points at the sports under review. In the first heat of the half-mile handicap three riders had their chances spoiled through an accident in the first lap. H. Dwight bumped into Titchiner and these two rode wide on the bend leading out of the back straight. In doing so they also forced Whitten and the scratch man, Byrnes, to ride into the long grass. Shirley, the wellknown jumper, who was sitting down adjacent to the track, was accidently run into by Titchiner, but luckily neither was hurt very seriously. An impressing display was given in the next heat by H. G. Brewin, off 35yds., who rode the race in the fast time of lmin. 8 3-ssec. It was realised that he would be difficult to beat in the final; but it was certainly not anticipated that he would win so comfortably from Gainsborough (35yds.), who registered lmin. 8 4-ssec. for his heat, only l-ssec. slower than Brewin. A FAST FINAL The final was very interesting, and the time of lmin. 7 shows there was no loafing on the way. At the bell Gainsborough was piloting Brewin, but in the last 150yds. the latter, with a well-timed effort, shot past his rival and won by a little over a length. Gainsborough, however, went down with colours flying, for up the straight he made a good run on the inside but was unable to overhaul the fast-fin-ishing Brewin. The first heat of the three-lap race brought the two cracks Bray and Byrnes together. The latter, after leading Bray for the last two and onequarter laps, had honours with him, but only by the barest of margins. The time of lmin. 47sec. represents the encompassing of a mile in 2m 22£sec., which would not be at all bad going. Casey’s performance in the next heat was a sterling one, for he was clocked to go the distance in lmin. 45 l-6sec. Casey’s handicap was only 12yds. Although the final of the threequarter mile was not ridden in time approaching any of the above, yet it surpassed all by reason of the splendid final sprint. It was also spectacular through the effort of F. J. Casey early in the race to establish a considerable lead on Bray (12yds.) and Byrnes (scr.). For one and a-quarter laps he was successful in keeping them at a distance of 10yds., but soon after he was gathered in, and the race proceeded for a while in true continental fashion. At the commencement of the final lap Casey assumed the lead, followed by Bray and Byrnes in that order. Down the back stretch he fell in behind Bray and Byrnes, while the latter pair fought out a splendid finish Byrnes, being content to make his run in the straight, forged past Bray, to win a keenly-contested race by a length and a-half. The first heat of the mile race proved disastrous for six of the seven starters. J. V. Gore looked round when commencing the sprint for the last lap and he wobbled, causing Dwight and Gainsborough to fall together. In less time than it takes to recount Whitten and Crisp, then Byrnes and Casey came to grief, a rare mix-up ensuing. Gore, the culprit, won by a lap. Owing to the fact that there were still two places to be filled, there was a general rush by those unhurt to remount their machines and complete the last lap, so as to qualify for the final. Dwight and Crisp were the lucky ones. An amusing incident occurred when Gainsborough, seeing his own machine in an unrideable condition, hastily bestrode one that was obviously unsuited for him He finished in the fourth place. Two facts contributed to make the next li£at noteworthy. The first was that the young rider Wade (48yds.) sprang a surprise on Blakeway and Bray by winning easily with two lengths to spare. The second was that the race was ridden in remarkably good time for a grass track. Of course, the conditions for riding were almost ideal, but it is necessary to understand that the standard of cycling has improved in the past two years. By winning the final Bray showed good judgment and shrewd tactics against his old rival E. J. Blakeway, by whom he was not extended, to win by a clear length. There was neither much opposition for Bray nor much interest in this race, as the spill prevented Casey and Byrnes from contesting it. A DANGEROUS HABIT There was no doubt that the big smash was caused by J. V. Gore when he wobbled thx*ough looking back. He committed the same breach of the rules in the half-mile handicap on championship day when, besides himself, he brought down Bray and Baird. The officials should have warned him then. Even last Saturday's offence did not seem to the officials to warrant an inquiry into what was one of the biggest spills that has occurred within several years. Although luckily no one was hurt seriously, there might have been a broken limb. As it happened Casey had his ribs bady bruised, and was unable to rise off the ground for quite a while. It might be mentioned here that another rule which is being broken very frequently of late is that relating to passing on the inside. Often there is barely room, and yet some riders make a habit of forcing their way through. If they are forced to run into a post they can hold only themselves responsible, but they nearly always cause someone riding behind them to crash also. More than one spill has arisen from this breach of the rules, and it is only fair to the riders that the rule should be enforced On occasions it is wiser and quicker to pass on the inside of a rider, but these opportunities should be seized upon quickly when offered if there is ample space, and should not be looked for continually by the rider. VICTOR LUDORUM MEDAL Points for the Victor Ludorum Medai were awarded as follow's: —Five points for a first, three for a second, and one for a third. Bray heads the list with eight points, while Byrnes and Brewin tied for second with five points each. Gainsborough and Blakeway scored four and three points, respectively. Had Byrnes not fallen. Bray w’ould have been confronted with a much more difficult task to win this medal. Byrnes won the Victor Ludorum Medal last year with 20 points. BRIEF NOTES ON RIDERS M. A. Williams, who was competing after a spell of a year, put up a pleasing effort to run third to Brewin in his heat of the half-mile. The spills of Casey and Byrnes particularly were doubly regrettable, since the former was just recovering from

an injured knee and the latter from a strained arm. H. E. Gargran is looked upon as a promising rider, for, although a novice at tlr? game, he rode a good third in the half-mile. E. J. Blakeway, who journeyed from Ohakune to participate in the sports, was an erratic performer, and came to light in one race only, namely, the mile. H. G. Brewin seems fitted for short races. It will be recalled that he made the rest of the competitors in the halfmile on February 12 look like novices. C. Gainsborough rode up to his best form to notch a second in the halfmile and a third in the three-quarter mile. A dance and social will be held in the Henderson Hall this evening when the prizes won at the recent meeting at Henderson will be presented. The Henderson officials are doing their utmost to make the function a success. Prize-winners will be pleased to learn that they will be admitted free to the hall. LOCAL PROFESSIONAL JOTTINGS At a recent meeting of the officials of the Auckland Club, it was decided to resume activities on the road in a month’s time. Roughly a score of riders have signified their intention of competing in the weekly contests at Mangere among whom may be mentioned last year’s “ cracks ” —S. Prior, W. Hills, J. Mathieson, 10-mile champion; A. Brennan, runner-up in championship; and A. Sutherland, 100-mile champion. The last of the professional country meetings will be on Easter Monday at Te Aroha. An early start is to be made with Blandford Park this year, and then Aucklanders will .not find it necessary to travel round the country in search of race meetings, for they will be well catered for on the park. A PROMISING LAD W. Capp, who easily accounted for both races, mile and two miles, at the Mount Albert Grammar Sports, returned good time in both these events —smin. 55 3-ssec. for the two miles, and 2min. 40sec. for the mile. In the former he won by the length of the straight. There is little doubt that had he started from scratch in the

shorter distance, he would have broken the record of 2min. 48sec. Capp rode off 80yds. This youthful cyclist keeps a splendid seat and rides with judgment. In a year or so he should be prominent in local races. Manukau Club members are remirided that the general monthly meeting of the club will be held at 10.30 a.m., Sunday, in the Domain pavilion. The prospects of the road season will be fully discussed. THE MANUKAU CLUB HANDICAPS FOR SATURDAY The Manukau Amateur Cycling Club is holding a 17 mile senior and a 5?; mile junior cycle road race on Saturday afternoon over the Mangere circuit. The junior event will start at 2.30 p.m. and the senior race at 3 p.m. The following handicaps have been declared by Mr. E. H. Cucksey:— SENIOR RACE HANDICAPS.—M P Byrnes, scr.; F. J. Casey, W. T. Bray, 30sec.; J. Whitten, Les Wilson, 45sec.; K. J. Mathieson. V. Baker, lmin. 30sec.; C. Galbraith, E. Grant, C. Gainsborough, H Dwight, lmin. 45sec.; Leo Devlin, K. Rowe, A. J. Baird, J. V. Gore and H G. Brewin, 2min. 30sec; J. C. Stewart. G. A. Clarke, J H Wade, H McElroy, W Rowe and Wm. McCollum, 3min.; Len Chambers, J. Whelan, W. G. Jeeves, B Titchiner, Chas. Faithfull, D. O’Connell, A. Pelham, 3min. 15sec.; A. Taylor, A. Stansfleld, Ted Boucher, Smin 30sec.; Viv Sanders, E. G. Botterill, A. Russell. 3min. 40sec.; A. Green, H. Gargan. Smin. 50sec.; E. Andrews. Blake Clark, R. A. Mclntyre, A. Glass, A. Sercombe, H. Deakin, W. B. Worboys, 4min.; L. Bickerton, A. Ivan, A. Gear, W. Dwight, 4min. 30sec.; D. Anderson, H. Stewart, 4min. 45sec.; A. W. Pinker, J. Commons, C. Clover, Geo. Heron, smin. MILE JUNIOR HANDICAP. .A. Sercombe. J. H. Wade, scr.; F. Pinker, 45sec.; B. Stokes, S. Fountain, O. A. Hughes, R. C. Whitney, J. Mac Shane. C. B. Crowley, lmin.; R. Foubister, R. Stokes. C. E. Pearce, R. Boucher, A. C. Steen, D. Ching, W. Watts, lmin. 15sec.; C. Maxwell, R. G. Bowen, D. Cummings. W Clarke, lmin. 45sec.; W. Carder, R Barker, lmin. 55sec.; G. Rose, 2min.; A. Rose, 2min. lOsec. Post entries will be received for either races up till 2.15 p.m.