Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 316, 29 March 1928, Page 6

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

By

"VELOS".

Easter time will be a busy one for 1 riders. At Hamilton and Ngahinepouri the amateurs have good programmes arranged for them, while the cash : riders have Te Aroha, Alatamata and Warkworth, all with good prize money offering, as their special attraction. Alatamata and Warkworth meetings are unfortunately both held on the same day, so riders will have to make sure that they don’t all make for the same fixture. A record entry has been- received by the Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club for its next Saturday’s fixture. Included among the list of entries are some of the finest cyclists competing on the track at the present time in New Zealand. Phil O’Shea, whose name is a household word in Australasia, where cycling is concerned, will compete in the open events, and it is certain that his appearance will be welcomed by all lovers of the sport of cycling in Auckland. In Jack Henderson, Christchurch, S. AlcCann, New Plymouth, and N. Powell, Gisborne, there are three 1 brilliant performers, who, if they are i riding in good form, will keep Phil O’Shea very busy in catching them, i Auckland province will be well represented in J. Harcourt, S. Hayes, H. Pelham and AI. J. Randrup; and on f ie handicaps as they appear in print, uey look to have every chance of ! holding their own in the prize money. The committee in charge of the Auck- : land Athletic and Cycling Club’s meeting to be held on Saturday have all I arrangements well in hand. The programme is an exceptionally good one; 1 in all 26 events are set down for de- ! cision, ranging from scooter races for ! boys under 11 to athletic events with New Zealand’s champions competing. ' Cash runners have made a fine response, no fewer than 21 having entered in the Auckland Gift Handicap of 120 vds. It is safe to say that no finer field of runners has ever been seen here than the one competing in this *-vent. The place of honour belongs to F. B. Toms, Otahuhu. whose consistent winning performances stamp him as the most brilliant sprinter seen in Auckland for time. Other equally brilliant performers are D. Alolesworth, A. Watson and H. Hudson. The latter seems well treated on 9yds. There are other good ones on the middle and front marks who must be given a great chance of getting in the money during the afternoon. CAN O’SHEA WIN? Riders are inclined to favour the chances of Phil O’Shea in any of the events he starts in on Saturday, considering that the have more or less favoured him. On looking at the adjustment impartially, there is nothing to denote a gift has been made ' to him of any of the four races on the programme, but what certainly will

happen if the front markers loaf is that all the back markers will be up with them in no time. With every rider doing his share of the pacing the back markers have a very hard task set them by the handicappers. The cycle track at the Domain will remain the same for Saturday’s meeting. The groundsmen had marked out a much rounder track, but the surface is so rough in places, that it was decided to use the old one. GOOD NOVELTY EVENTS Scooter and trolley races for cash prizes are two events on Saturday’s programme. These novelty events in other parts of the Dominion take on with the crowd. These events are free of entry fees, and in both races there are first, second and third cash nrizes. Two races that will also amuse the crowd are the old-timers’ running race, and the old-timers’ cycling race. There are in Auckland at the present time a great number of old-time cash ath - letes, and as these events carry with them three prizes, there should be a ready response from the "has beens. ’ CLOSE OF AMATEUR CYCLING SEASON Amateur riders are having a spell from racing this week. Next week will see the close of the track season, when a half, one, and five mile events will be held on the Domain on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. The Victor Ludorum cup will go to the rider winning most points in the three '„7ent?. while the five mile event will also carry with it the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club’s handsome S. W. House Challenge Cup. A distinct loss to amateur cycling iu the departure from Auckland of ~V. T Bray, one of Auckland’s leading riders. Connected with the Manukau Club practically since its inception, h© has been a tower of strength in assisting in the managament of the club’s affairs. As a rider, he is considerably above the average and his departure will be a distinct loss to the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club. GROSE WILL RIDE AGAIN That F. J. Grose, the New Zealand amateur champion rider, will ride again , is now assured. Some time ago it was rumoured that this great amateur pedaller might not race again, but the ! latest is that although his injuries will be some time yet in mending, it is practically certain that he will rid** again. This is good news and the New Zealand champion can rest assured ■ there is a warm welcome awaiting him when he appears again on the track. > Phil O’Shea and Jack Henderson, the : two star cyclists, appearing at the • Domain on Saturday, are due to arrive ; in Auckland to-morrow morning by the ; Limited. Both riders will be training [ on the Domain track on Friday. As the Grammar School sports are being held there on Thursday and Friday training operations will not commence until after 5 p m. on these two nights. Recent reports from Christchurch prov that both these riders are in great form. In a 50-mile teams race held last Saturday in Christchurch, both O’Shea and Henderson rode remarkaoly well, the former electrifying the crowd by his sprinting and with J. H. Silvester, winning the big event. Rumour hath it that the banking of the Western Springs cycle track is being put in. in a way that does not meet with the approval of racing cyclists. The council should see to It that an experienced man, preferaoiy ar* old racing champion, keeps his eye on things when this most important work is being completed.