ROAD-CYCLING SEASON

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 330, 16 April 1928, Page 7

ROAD-CYCLING SEASON

SATURDAY’S EVENTS

BIG MUSTER OF RIDERS Boisterous weather ushered in the 192 S road racing season at Mangere on Saturday, when the Manukau Amateur Cycle Club held two races — a 55-mile junior and an 11-mile open handicap. There was a fine mujeer of riders. 45 facing the starter in the two races. The chief event of the afternoon, thell-mile open, was won by J. Whitten, off the one minute mark, who put up an exceptionally smart performance. ITe also won fastest time prize, beating J. IT. Wade, s by Glsec. There were two fails in the big event, F. J. Potter coming down and H. Russell, who was following him, going over the top of him, neither being hurt. LIMIT MEN DO WELL The following are the results: 55-mile Junior Race: W. Smith., on. 3min losec, 1; C. Francis, 3min 15sec, 2; F. E. Pinker, 2min 45sec, 3. Time, ISmin 14sec. Fastest time, D. Hope, scr, 15min 20sec. Six only started in this event most of the juniors deciding to start in the open race later in the day. Three riders. W. Johnson. W. Smithson and C. Francis, off 3min 15sec, who were virtual limit, had things all Lhe'r own way throughout the race. They vert off very leisurely, but soon get busy, and maintaining a fast pace for the whole journey were never troubled, W. Smithson, who finished well, beating C. Francis by three lengths. F. E. Pinker, the third i;ider ‘■o fir ish. was some considerable distance away. -D. Hope, who won fastest time, rode unpaced the whole way, his time, l'min 20sec, being very good considering the gale that was blowing. 11-mile Open Handicap: J. Whitten, lmin, 1; L. Pinfold, 2min, 2; w. Tomlinson, 3min, and G. W. Rollerson, 2min 30sec, 3. Time, 33min 9sec. Fastest time, J. Whitten, lmin, 29min 9sec. Thirty-nine riders started in this event, which proved to be one of the finest contested races run at Mangere. The limit riders, F. R. Glass and W. Clarke, rode remarkably well lor so early in the season, putting in some great laps. The middle markers, with G. W. Rollerson, G. Hall and I . Pinfold putting in good work, had gained considerably on the front markers entering the last lap, but J. Whitten, off the lmin mark, came on the scene, having dropped all the others, who started near him, and actually leaving gained on the scratch rider, J. 11. Wade. Over the last lap lie had things pretty well his own way two miles from the finish, and taking charge 200 yards from home he romped in the easiest of winners. There was a great race for the other places, eight riders finishing all in a bunch, the judges having trouble in separating them.