AMATEUR CYCLIST BREAKS RECORD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 341, 30 April 1928, Page 7

AMATEUR CYCLIST BREAKS RECORD

WADE’S FINE PERFORMANCE

Fifty-four riders took part in the Alanukau Club’s two races, which were decided at Alangere on Saturday. In the big race there were 42 starters (only one behind the record). J. H. Wade again won fastest time, beating M. P. Byrnes in the most desperate finish ever seen at Alangere. The time given, 42m 225, is the fastest ever recorded over the 17 miles on the Alangere course. In both races, the frontmarkers filled all the places. The results are as follow:

Mile Junior Race.—G. Whitehouse, 2m 455, 1; R. Whitten, 2m 455, 2; F. E. Pinker, 2m 455, 3. Time, 15m 345. Fastest time, D. Hope, scr, 35m 20s. Twelve started. Won by half a length; a length between second and third.

From the word go the 3-minute riders raced off their marks, and soon had R. Francis, 4m 15s, who was the only limit rider. The 2m 45s contingent was a very hot one, comprising the three placed riders, together with C. Francis and E. Ramsay. The two latter did more than their share of lap taking, and helped considerably to take this bunch up to the field. The back-markers at no time had any chance of winning, and Hope, in winning fastest time, put up a great ride, as he was alone all the way.

17 Mile Open Handicap Event.—L. D. Roberts, sm, 1; E. Cleaver, 3m 455, 2; L. Aldred, 4m 30s, 3; F. Taylor, 5m 4s, 4. Fastest time, and a record for the course, •J. IT. Wade, 42m 225. Forty-two riders started. Won by a length; half a length separating second and third.

W. Clarke on 7m was the first rider away, and for the first lap and a-half rode a wonderful unpaced ride. At this stage there was a bunch of 20 riders comprising the 4Jm, 5m and 5m 45s riders all together; with another big bunch some 2m later, in which were the 2m, 3m and 3m 45s riders. Both these bunches were putting up hard rides with no rider in particular doing more than his share of pacing. Entering the last lap. the first bunch had F. Taylor at its head, followed by 21 others. These passed out of sight quickly. Shortly afterwards came the next bunch going great guns, with C. A. Clarke in the lead. The scratch men, Wade, Byrnes, and Whitten passed through soon afterwards, travelling fast, but with two minutes to pick up in the last lap, had no chance of winning over the last two miles. The front division never let the pace slacken, and when the finishing post hove in sight 21 riders were in a heap to fight out the finish. The winner, Roberts, got going at the right time, and challenging Cleaver 50yds from the finish, won a great race all out by a. length. Aldred was close up third. Hardly had the placed riders been announced, when the scratch men hove in sight. Over the last 150yds Byrnes and Wade left the others, and clearing right out on their own, fought out every inch of the distance in the most desperate finish seen at Mangere. Locked together they flew over the line. Wade, putting in the last few kicks right, won in brilliant fashion by 6in. H. Russell fell heavily entering the second lap through striking a cow, but was not hurt.