Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 114, 4 August 1927, Page 8

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

By

“VELOS.”

The three cycle races held at Mangere on Saturday again attracted a good attendance of the public. Two spills occurred during the afternoon, both riders receiving minor injuries. The entry was not so large as last week, 51 riders, as compared with 62 the previous week, competing. The Manukau Amateur Cycling Club’s 27-mile time trial event was responsible for some very fine riding, H. Dwight putting up a splendid performance. The result looked a good thing for M. P. Byrnes, but he could get no nearer than fourth. The course to Papatoetoe and back was a bit sloppy in places, but otherwise was in good order. Weather conditions were against fast times, a cold wind blowing across the course all the afternoon. There were 24 star- | ters in the time -trial, riders starting lin order of merit. There were quite I a number of riders, who put up their best unpaced performances to date, ! chief among these being H. McElroy, a front-marker, who beat M. P. Byrnes jby 9sec, over the 27 miles. The fol- ! lowing are the first six fastest times: -ght (lhr 16min 50 3-ssee), 1; I C. Galbraith (lhr 18min 14sec), 2; H. McElroy flhr ISmin 40ses), 3; M. P. Byrnes (lhr 18min 49sec), 4; L. Chambers flhr 19min llsec), 5; J. Wade : flhr 19min 31seo>, 6. DWIGHT’S FINE RIDE H. Dwight, the winner, rode his best i unpaced race this season. He went j faster off the mark than any other rider in the trial, evidently with the ; intention of picking up Byrnes, a j minute ahead. He never let up till he had caught him. Riding in the . best form he has displayed this ‘reason, he gained more than a minute on j the field on the return journey, fini ally winning by lmin 13 2-ssec. His

average spepd was over 21 miles an hour for the 27 miles, but in establishing the 16 i -mile Mangere course record he went better than 22 1-3 miles an hour, in competition, for the journey. As an unpaced rider he will be hard to beat this season. C. Galbraith, who finished second in the time trial, averaged over 20 miles an hour over the 27 miles. He has been a very consistent performer the whole season, riding some good handicap races. H. McElroy, the third fastest time rider, was the surprise of the trial. By riding the 27 miles in lhr 18min 40see he went nine seconds faster than M. P. Byrnes over the distance. He is a very promising rider, and he is also possessed of a good headpiece. M. P. Byrnes, who finished fourth, took matters too easily over the first four miles, allowing Dwight to get a sight of him, which he never lost. At the start of the race, as he disappeared round the corner, he sang out “Good-bye, Galbraith,” ,but even then he did not appear to get into his work in his usual businesslike manner. “Snowy” Baker and W. Borland finished with only 7 3-ssec between them. The latter rider, who is on the limit, in handicap events rode his best race on Saturday. He is improving with every ride. Les. Wilson and Eddie Grant were fancied over the longer journey, but neither showed up prominently. BORLAND’S FIRST WIN The result of the sealed handicap was as follows: W. Borland (Bminl, 1; H. McElroy (4min), 2; J. H. Wade (4min). 3: A. W. Pinker (6min), 4. W. Borland registered his first win this season in this event. He has been shaping well in recent races, so Saturday’s win should give him confidence. Both W. and H. Borland are staunch supporters of the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club. Mr. E. Tolley, handicapper and starter for the Manukau Club, was an absentee from Mangere on Saturday. This is the first Saturday he has missed this season. His place was ably filled by W. Bray and another enthusiast. The Dunlop Tyre Company of Australasia, Ltd., has through Mr. P. A. Richards, local manager, presented a diamond centre medal to the Auckland Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association for fastest-time winner in the Auckland 50-mile road champion, to be held next month. The secretary of the New' Zealand Union wrote expressing regret that the Maori team should have been so short of players for the opening match of the tour at Auckland. The letter was received. Permission was granted the Auckland Training College team to play a match against the Wellington. Training College team on August 16. The St. Heliers Club was granted permission to play a match against a Thames team at Thames next Saturday, subject to the appointment of a suitable manager. A letter was received from Mr. C. L. Mclntosh, on behalf of the Star Club, New Plymouth, asking for a match against an Auckland club team as a curtain-raiser to the match between Auckland and Hawke’s Bay. A request was also made that £ 30 should be granted toward expenses. It was decided to advise that the union was unable to meet the request this season. In connection with the Pollard Cup competition it was resolved that a sub-committee consisting of Messrs A. Tilly, W. A. Gray, A. Cooper amd T. Courtney should be appointed to go into the question of arranging matches and that clubs be asked to forward entries by Monday next.

The SS-mile junior event drew a field of 11 starters. The limit boys had ( things all their own way, filling first and second places. The scratch division, G. Rose, R. Foubister, and Lichfield, did not work well together. . being content to wait for the finishing j sprint. Following are the results: F. G. Keenen (3min), 1; L. Rollerson (3min>, 2; R. Capp (45see), 3. Time, j 17min 30sec. Fastest time, G. Rose j (scr), ISmin 16sec. The winner, F. G. Keenen, is a promising youngster. He was responsible ; . for a good deal of pacing early in the I ! race. Over the last mile he was never j troubled, winning easily by 50 yards. ! He rides well. L. Rollerson, who finished second 60 yards in front of R. Capp, was a very tired rider. He took his share of pace * as long as he could, never shirking j once. ! G. Rose again won the fastest-time prize. These junior events are undoubtedly benefits for Rose, as far as I fastest time prizes are concerned. His ! entry into the seniors will be watched ; j with interest. It is on the cards that j | when he changes over he will keep the j i majority of the seniors busy, j The 50-mile Auckland road cham- ! pionship has been postponed till Sep- ; tember 27 owing to Alexandra Park (not being available on September 13. : This should give riders ample time to put the finishing touches on their preparation. AUCKLAND CLUB’S RACE The Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club’s 20-mile event drew 16 starters, four less than last week. The limit riders, assisted by liberal handicaps, proved too good for the back-markers, winning all the prizes. The race was a good one, and handicapper Oak*es succeeded in producing a finish that, as far as the riders who were placed are concerned, was a particularly fine one. Dave Storey, the winner, was a warm favourite for the race. His finishing sprint was put in at. the right time, landing him a winner by a length. Everyone was pleased to see i Dave win. Ken Rae, who ran second in Saturday’s race, has not figured on the prize list since winning early in the season. He is always a starter, and will also do his bit of pacing. Francis, in running third, figures on j the prize list for the first time this season. He is one of the best pacemakers in the cash ranks. He rode j his best race on Saturday, and looks | like improving. j Deans, who finished fourth, is the oldest rider in the cash ranks. He is a starter every Saturday, but on liis present handicap he has the hardest part to do to score a win. “Jerry” Mathieson’s finishing sprint, with Prior and White, on Saturday, | was an eye-opener for all riders who saw it. He has it on any rider in ’Auckland in a slow-run race over the

j last 50 yards. ! Fastest time prize was won by “Putty” White, who beat Frank Prior by a few inches, in the best and most exciting finish seen at Mangere. White’s time for the distance averages over 22 miles an hour. Frank Prior sprained his ankle last Saturday week. He rode well on j Saturday, but his ankle was still weak. : He should be all right for next Satur- | day’s event. CHRISTCHURCH EVENTS The Paparua Cycling Club held a j : 14-mile road race at Riccarton on I Saturday, 35 riders facing the starter. I The roads were in good condition. A. G. Ritchie again won fastest time, j Following was the result: W. J. Holland (2min), 1; A. C. Walker (2min), 2; N. F. Archer (2£min), 3. Time, 35min 24sec. Fastest time, A. A. Ritchie (scr), 34min 13sec. The Christchurch Amateur Cycling Club held a 30-mile open road race at Papanui. There were 30 starters. Following was the result: R. Jones 1, T. Campbell 2, H. Roberts 3. Time, lhr 32min lsec. Fastest time, Frank Grosse (scr), lhr 22min lOsec. The Timaru-Christchurch road race, j the greatest cycling race held in the Dominion, will take place on Sep- : tember 10. This gruelling test of speed will be run over 112 miles of flat roads. : Big prizes to the value of £ 350 are • offered, and the race carries with it j the title of New Zealand road chamIp: onship. The winner of the title will proceed to Australia to compete i in the famous Warmambool-Melbourne | road race classic. MELBOURNE NOTES i The Malvern Club’s 35-mile road race was won by R. W. (“Fatty”) Lamb from scratch. He put up one of his best rides this season, overhauling the leaders 600 yards from the finish. Following was the result: R. W. Lamb (scr), 1; W. Oakley (2min), 2; R. Quinn (4min 30sec), 3. Time, lhr 17min. Fastest time, R. W. Lamb (scr), lhr 17min. The cash riders held a 25mile event under the auspices of the Richmond Club. There was a big field of starters, and the event was won by the limit riders, J. Parmley (scr) beating the other back-markers, and secured fastest time. Following was the results: J. Etchell (7min), 1: G. Carn (smin 30sec), 2; C. Houstin ; fomin 30sec>, 3. Time, llir Smin 30sec. Fastest time. J. Parmley, lhr Smin.