Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 392, 28 June 1928, Page 8

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

By

The following events are to be decided at Mangere on Saturday:—ss mile junior championship, and 11 mile open championship, by Manukau Amateur Cycle Club; and 7-mile open handicap event, by Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club. It is hoped the latter event will be started sharp at 2.30 p.m., so as to be finished before the Manukau Club’s open championship event starts. If by any chance there should be a finish taking place in an amateur race, at Mangere, and the cash riders happened to be passing, only a miracle could prevent a mix-up. It is to be hoped that the Auckland Club will endeavour to hold its race early on Saturday, so as to leave the Mangere course free for the Manukau Club for their club championships, to be held later in the afternoon. WHO WILL WIN? No cycle event since the last big Hamilton-to-Auckland road race has caused so much keenness among riders as the Manukau Amateur Club’s 11mile championship, to be held on Saturday. Opinions are very divided as to the prospects of the different riders, and in more than one case it is freely stated that an outsider will win. Velos will not be on that outsider, anyway. It is always on the cards in a championship of this kind, where any kind of rider can compete, that an accident of some kind will happen and put real riders right out of a place; or a jump may be made by two or three riders that would get them right away from the rest of field, but Velos thinks that there too many amateur riders in Auckland who give themselves a chance in these classic events. The only riders he will consider as the probable place-getters are M. P. Byrnes, J. H. Wade aqd H. Dwight. Others who might create surprises are C. G. Galbraith, J. Whitton, H. G. Brewin and F. J. Casey. The junior 55-mile event appears to be all over bar shouting, as D. Hope is a very hot “odds-on” favourite. He has been a most consistent performer this season, and to carry off the honour of being the club’s junior champion appears to be an easy thing for him. FINE RACING Every week the racing at Mangere gets better. Last week’s 17-mile event could safely b© said to be the most interesting one yet held by the Manukau Club this season. From the first to the last lap there was not a dull moment. The 37 starters were all sent away on time by Starter Les Wilson, but when 55 miles (one lap) had been covered the field was divided into eight bunches. This order was altered consideraoiy during the running of a he . lap, so much so that field was reduced to six bunches, all closing up on each other, as the last lap was entered upon. At tins' stage the fiont bunch were putting in some great laps, which they continued to do ove" the last 55 miles. When they swung round the home turn, eight in a bunch, the sight was a very fine one, but when racing began W. Tomlinson soon had the measure of the others, and drawing away in the last 50 yards, won fairly easily. There was a ding-dong go for second place between G. IT. Worms and R. Watson. The latter, however, carried too many guns, and secured the verdict by half a length. The back-markers, Byrnes, Wade and Dwight, were beaten for fastest time by H. G. Brewin, who finished well, beating a bunch of good riders in the sprint for the line. FRANCIS IN FORM The junior event was a very easy thing for the young Papakura champion, C. Francis. He stole a march on his field early, and as no one could catch him he won by 100 yards. He rode better on Saturday than he has done all the season, and his win was a most popular one. G. Whitehouse and O. S. Young were very tired when they passed the winning post, but they had both ridden a hard race and thoroughly deserved their placings. F. E. Pinker deserved his fastest time win, as he plugged away on his own over the last three miles. SPECIAL PRIZE In Saturday’s club championship, the Manukau Club proposes to give a trp-

“VELOS”

phy to the rider who does the most pacing. Five secret checking stations will clock all riders who are leading at these particular points, and the winner of the most points from these stations wins the trophy. This should ensure a fast race, as there are sure to be a lot of good riders right after this particular prize. The only rider to fall on Saturday was F. E. Pinker. He started in both the junior and the open events, but got crowded over on to a patch of loose scoria near the Black Bridge in the latter race, and came down heavily, necessitating the ‘‘Zam Buk's” attention. Last Sunday members of the Manukau Club journeyed to Papatoetoe to view the recent railway smash. Riders report that the roads were good, and that the outing was a most enjoyable one. Next Sunday the club will hold another run, leaving Grafton Bridge at 10 a.m. with Clevedon as the objective.