STARS OF THE TRACK

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

STARS OF THE TRACK

PAST V. PRESENT HOW DO THEY COMPARE? CYCLING CHAMPIONS In the following ably written article, an ex-champion of cash cycling disc sses the comparative merits of present-day stars of the cycle-track and the champions of the past. Wherever a crowd of followers of the sport of cycling are gathered together, one always hears the question; “Are the champions of to-day as good as they were 20 years ago?” I will try and answer it. Way back in 189*7, cycling was just becoming popular. In 1898, 1899, and 1900 it simply boomed. Record gates were the order of the day everywhere. Circuits arranged by the governing body from Auckland to the Bluff, had the effect of finding out many wouldbe champions. Naturally the class of competition improved by leaps and bounds; so much so, that in the big wheel races some splendid racing was witnessed It was the same in the shorter and scratch races. By he time the New Zealand championships ciims round a rider with any chance at all was always fit and well. THE SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST It was no easy matter to see one of these long-distance events through. The pacemakers, and they were on fresh every lap, had a peculiar habit of going mad one lap, and silly the next; so that it was a very simple matter to get “shook off.” This class of riding soon found the “weak spots,” and rarely did half of the dozen or more starters finish. As these pacemakers were all good second-class men the times were very much faster than they are to-day. In the shorter races, where brains as well as speed can be used to advantage, it is unanimously agreed—by those in a position to know—that the champions of to-day lack the “get off the mark” and “finish” of the big chiefs of the past. It has been said that George Sutherland at his best would give Phil O'Shea 10 lengths start over the last hundred yards and beat him. Be that as it may, we will now come to the times recorded in handicap events run during the past season, which, by the way, leave him very much improved. At English Park Stadium, Christchurch, there is one of the best tracks in Australasia. WHAT THE FIGURES SHOW Take the quarter-mile handicap races run there. No New Zealand rider has done better than 31sec. off the mark for the 440yds. during the last three years, yet the 30sec. has been broken on more than one occasion by the “has-beens.” In the mile and two mile events, 2.1 and * 4.1 G are the presept-day records; yet 1.58 and 4.4 have been done 20’’years ago. Now, it is easy to see the cause of these fast times. In the past, firms paid big retainers to riders. These men had to win to advertise their machines and to win they had to train, and train conscientiously. Every rider was as fit as hands could make him, hence the answer to the above question must be that “the past champion has it on the present.” And if further proof is wanted, take a New Zealand championship meeting 20 years age with such champions as Reynolds. Tierney, Draffin, Barker, Clarkson, Wall. Arnst (2), Ralston. Sutherland. Randrup, Campion, Huston, Connell. Chalmers, Plunkett, Bill Martin, D. Walker, Australia, Harry Reynolds. Ireland, competing; and compare them with the best offering to-day, viz.. O’Shea, Henderson. Mackie, Carey, Goodman. Rhodda Wilmot. Goodwill, Mathieson, Niehol son, Burnand, and any other imports tions, and it must be admitted that the “class” is not in New Zealand ai the present time. It will come again, though. In America and Australia the sport is booming, and signs are not wanting to show that in New Zealand cycling is on the up-grade.