CYCLE ROAD RACES AT MANGERE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 123, 15 August 1927, Page 7

CYCLE ROAD RACES AT MANGERE

SATURDAY’S EVENTS Weather conditions could not possibly have been worse for racing at Mangere on Saturday. A cold crosswind, with intermittent heavy showers, continued all the afternoon, making racing conditions very disagreeable. The roads were simply water and slush. The Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club’s 14-mile open handicap was run in a downpour of rain, making riders very shy of "sitting in" too close. “Putty" White again won fastest time, making him three on end now. Me had no trouble in beating A. Sutherland in the sprint home. F. Prior pulled his loot off his pedal two hundred yards from the finish, spoiling whatever chance he had. The winner of the handicap, W. K. Francis, smin. 30sec., rode his best race at Mangere on Saturday. He was always up in front, and watching his opportunity he jumped the field, and was never afterwards troubled. H. Pelham (4 min.), who finished second, was riding well, but could not hold Francis* The veteran, Jti. Rhodes (7 min.' was third, M. Pelham just beating him on the line. J. Doan (7min.), another veteran, was fourth. The time (42min. 2Usec.) was very fair, considering the climatic conditions. The following are the results:—W. K. Francis (smin. 30sec.j> 1; H. Pelhum (4min.), Z; l-l. Rhodes (7min.), 2; J. Dean (7min.), 4. Time, 42min. Z usee Fasterst time: A. "Putty’ White (scr.), 37min. losec. There were 17 starters. The Manukau Amateur Cycling Club s 27-mile event was run to PapuKura and buck. There were 35 starters. Rain commenced failing at the start, and continued during the greater part of tiie race, making things decidedly unpleasant for racing. Tne riders in some cases could not see the road for grit and slush in their eyes. Byrnes, the scratch rider, had to puli up, and wash his eyes clean. The best performance during the race was un doubtediy FranK Casey (bUsec). not only ran third in the handicap, but he also landed the fastest time prize, cutting out the 27 miles in 75min. 2tisec. This works out at over 21 miles an hour, a good performance considering the conditions. The winner, J. Wade (2min. losec.), rode his best race tins season. Me is a strong rider, and Saturday’s conditions seemed to suit him. This is hij first win. The following are the results: —J Wade (.2min. losec.), 1; L. Chambers (lmin. losec.), 2: F. Casey (lmin,), 3; K. Rowe (lmin.), 4. Time, 74min. Msec. Fastest time, Frank Casey (60sec.) ,smin. 2tisec. There were 35 starters. The five and a-half mile junior event was run in the pouring rain, but the youngsters enjoyed it. A spill occurred about a mile from the finish, E. Tolley and L. Aldred coming down. Neither was hur seriously. The winner turned up in D. Mope (30sec ), who beat F. Pinker (60sec.) by two lengths. A. Rose (lmin. 30sec.) was third close up. It was a good finish. The winner was in front over the last 200 yards, but could not be headed. He also won fastest time prize. The following.are the placings:—D Hope (30sec.), 1: F. Pinker (60sec.). 2: A. Rose (lmin. 30sec.), 3. Time, 14min. 56sec. Fastest time, D. Hope (30sec.), lumin. 26sec. There were 11 starters.