Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 244, 5 January 1928, Page 14

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

By

“VELOS.”

At the Wairarapa Caledonian Society’s sports on Tuesday T. Oakley went three miles in 7min 13sec, breaking his own New Zealand record by lOsec.

The racing at the different meetings held during the New Year was spoiled to a certain extent by the big gaps and long limits given the backmarkers, both amateur and professional. The public likes to see the back men up, or near about the field, when the bell rings. Nothing puts a crowd against a race quicker, than to see a runaway victory.

Although the racing during the holidays was keenly contested, both by limit, middle and back markers, there was not one single complaint for the judicial committee to adjudicate on. One rider started off his wrong mark and was promptly put out of the race; this was the only occurrence requiring adjustment. This speaks well for the sport, and riders are to be congratulated on the clean manner in which they conducted themselves, both on and off the track.

All sports bodies, and clubs, who cater for cycle racing, should see to it that their racing tracks are made as safe as possible. There were quite a number of complaints from riders — good and bad —in reference to some oj the tracks they were asked to race on, and in nearly all cases it appears that the cost of making most of the tracks safe would be next to nothing. The number of spills that occurred at every meeting should give country promoters food for thought, as a cyclist has a most expensive outfit to keep up; to wit, a cycle, spare wheels, tyres and the usual racing costume, shoes, etc. A spill to him may mean a new racing machine, or it may mean a big repair bill. Both mean the spending of big money, and in cases of amateur riders, it comes particularly hard on them. A REAL SPILL

Talking of spills reminds me oT the consolation race of 1J miles decided at the Te Aroha Fire Brigade’s sports on January 2. There were eu starters, but before half-way had been covered, four of them had been “burnt off.” Slater Hayes, who had caught the field, was taking no chances, and with two laps to go, rushed to the front, followed by J. Henderson. P. Lynch and C. O’Brien. Rounding the bad corner shortly afterwards, Henderson and O’Brien bumped—just as Hayes winds up for the final sprint—and both fell. Lynch, who was following close, going over the two fallen riders, leaving Hayes to win as he liked. Henderson was the first to think of the second prize, and picking up his machine he made for the finishing line, beating Lynch, who also was awake to the 10s for third prize.

Record crowds attended the different sports meetings everywhere during the holidays. At Te Aroha, Springdale, Paeroa, Te Kowhai and Whatawhata there were - big fields in all events. Ideal weather prevailed throughout, and the enthusiasm displayed by the public was great, and speaks well for the sport for nqxt year. Officials at all the meetings are well spoken of by riders.

At Whatawhata amateur sports meeting on January 2 there were five cycling eevnts on the programme, a half, one, two, three and five miles. The limit riders were a solid lot, and in the longer distances kept the backmarkers busy in trying to catch them. M. P. Byrnes (scr) was giving away big starts in all the events. His best efforts for the afternoon were, second In the one mile, and third in the five. Jack Wade won the mile brilliantly, but was never dangerous again. F. Casey scored a popular win in the three-mile, beatting two good local boys in Stevens and McCabe. The most successful amateur at the meeting was the local rider, C. McCabe. He won the five-mile open handicap, was second in the half-mile, and was third in the two and three miles. His win in the five-mile event was the most popular of the meeting. . TE AROHA MEETING

The Te Aroha Fire Brigade’s annual meeting on January 2 was a big success. The cycle races again had the big crowd on its toes. J. Harcourt, of Hamilton, was the hero of the day. His riding was a revelation. In the two races that he won—the one and threemiles—he put up great rides, taking the bad corners at thrilling speed. It

was public opinion that it was the finest exhibition of riding seen at Te Aroha. Hareourt has a ton of speed, and Velos sorted him out last year in these columns as a good one. The success of the local rider, R. Caulton. was well deserved. He was a starter in all four races, winning the half-mile, getting second in the one and a half, and three miles, and third in the two-mile. He has improved wonderfully since the racing started this season, and will be a rider to be reckoned with in any future meetings held on country tracks. Slater Hayes, who is the big favourite with the, public at these country meetings, found the tracks too fast for him. He was riding well, but on the corners Hareourt had it on him, getting away every time. He was not placed in any of the open events—something very unusual for him —but won the consolation event. M. J. Randrup was not in his best form. He put up good rides in the half and two miles, in which he ran third and second, but his form was below his average. CHAMPIONS BEATEN The defeat of F. J. Grose, the New Zealand amateur champion at the hands of T. E. O’Brien at the Halswell Amateur Sports Club’s meeting last week, came as a surprise to followers of the sport. Grose was looked upon as in a class by himself at the New Zealand championships and the easy way he won suggested he had a lot in reserve. O’Brien, who hails from Christchurch, beat Grose in all three events, including the one and a half mile scratch race in which they met. In the scratch race he won. by two lengths and on the day’s performance was generally superior to either Grose or A- W. Day, who was second to Grose in the recent three New Zealand championships. ,

Phil O’Shea, the hero of so many races, is not meeting with much success in trying to stage a “come-back” this year. At the big meeting held at Timaru on January 2 and 3, he was beaten by a rising Timaru rider, W. Wilmot in the mile South Island championship. Riding for the first time this season at English Park Stadium last week he and Harry G. Watson (champion road rider) were among the also starteds. O’Shea’s best performance was coming second in a heat of the mile handicap in 2m 15 2-ss, qualifying for the final, which was won by W. Mackio (scr) in 2m 8s dead. Mackie also won the “Miss and Out” scratch race at this meeting. Willie Mackie still keeps on winning. Competing at the Oust Sports Club’s annual meeting on a track that could not be called fast, he went 2m 4s for a mile, and was just beaten by W. T. Weir (50yds), but in the big race, the Cush Wheel Race of two miles, and also in the three mile event, he scored easy wins. Mackie's form this season has been exceptional, and so also have some of his times.

To-night at the Auckland Domain the Auckland Centre will hold an evening sports meeting at which a portion of the New South Wales team that competed in the Australian amateur championships at Wellington recently will compete. Included on the programme is a three-mile cycle event and as Auckland's leading amateurs are competing a good race should result. The first event is timed to start at 5.20 p.m.