New Cycling Record Broken at Mangere

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 359, 21 May 1928, Page 7

New Cycling Record Broken at Mangere

Field of 50 Riders Coni petes In Amateur Race The Manukau Amateur Cycle Club, noted for breaking records, added another to its long list on Saturday, when 50 amateur road racing cyclists faced starter Les Wilson, in the club’s 17-mile open handicap. The weather conditions were distinctly against racing, a cold, strong cross wind making it hard work for riders in both cash and amateur events. The surprise of the afternoon was the fine performance of the three limit riders in the amateur event. Their pacing effort was a treat to watch (they are all about 15 years old). Following are the results:---Manukau Amateur Cycling Club s I<mile Event. —D. Fletcher, <.oo, 1: » • Franck 7 30, 2; W Clarke 3. Time of winner, 53.1. Fastest time, M. 1 . Byrnes, 44.54. , The race needs little describing, as the three placed riders led from start to finish, eventually winning by abou*. oos. Over the first lap the field appeared to take things easily, but the second time round had closed up, 30 riders being together, This big bunch, all m different coloured racing costumes, was a very fine sight, and was led by Sercombe into the last lap, some minutes behind the leaders. At this stage it was evident that the back markers had no chance, particularly the scratch trio, Byrnes, Wade and Whitten, as they did not appear to put any sting into their work. The finish was a runaway victory for D. Fletcher, who finished ten lengths ahead of Francis, who beat Clark by the same distance for second place. Byrnes had no difisculty in beating Wade and Galbraith for fastest time, Whitten being four lengths back, fourth. THE CASH RIDERS Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club’s 20-mile Event.—R. J. Mathieson, 2m, 3; D. Storey, ljm, 2; W. Archer, sm, 3. Time, 53.30. Fastest time, F. Prior, scr, 51.30 1-5. There were 13 starters in this event, four being on the limit, sm. The strong wind riders had to contend with leaving the mark, and the climb in the teeth of it, to the top of the Mangere Hill, did not improve matters for them. Once over the top the limit riders, with W. Archer in the lead, settled to a good solid grind. Changing over, each rider put in his lap well, and over the first lap held the backmarkers. The middle markers, which included Mathieson, the winner, were putting in some great work and gaining fast on the limit ones over the second lap. The back markers in the meantime were having a bad time, Storey, lfm (having dropped G. Hall, 11m) and F. Prior, scr, were riding a hard race alone. Mathieson, who was riding well, was with the leaders early, and D. Storey, who had ridden a fine race, also was with the field a mile from the finish. When the riders hove in sight it was seen some of them were all together, and they finished in a bunch, Mathieson snatching a victory from Storey by a wheel. F. Prior went his best race this season, and secured fastest time. WELLINGTON SEASON OPENS Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sunday. A 15-mile cycle road race held yesterday, at the opening of the season, resulted: P. Southland, sin, 1. The scratch man, M. Gane, 42.8, and J. Morris, 42.8 1-5, and W. Bray, 42. S 2-5, finished in a bunch.