Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 404, 12 July 1928, Page 10

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

By

“VELOS’.

, Two riders who stood out prominently in last week’s races were N. Healey in the professionals and J. Whitten in the amateurs. Both riders have now won three races this season, and there is nothing to stop them winning as many more, as they are both at the top of their form. N. Healey, winner of the cash race, finished too fast for J. Henderson, and won by a short length. He is riding better than he has ever done at Mangere. and no matter where the handicapper puts him he must be given a chance. In taking Henderson’s measure he beat a good “plugger,” who, it is possible, if he had done less “plugging,” and more sprinting, would have had three firsts instead of three seconds to his credit for this season. W. Francis, who finished some distance away third, was apparently not in his best form, as he is not a rider to allow another to put a jump over on him. and get away with it. When Frank Prior, J. Lindop, K. Mathieson. F. Lowndes, and W. Archer came down in Saturday’s race, the interest to a large extent was taken out of it. Pluckily remounting, Mathieson. Lindop, and Lowndes set sail after the field, but although the two former saw the finish out. they were well out of a place when the numbers went up. HAYES IN FORM “Slater” Hayes gained fastest time in Saturday’s race rather easily. He

and Prior went off the scratch mark very fast, evidently with the intention of picking up Mathieson and Lindop (lmin) as quickly as possible. When Prior fell, Hayes had caught these two, and, staying with them, had no trouble in getting time. J. Whitten, winner of Saturday’s amateur event, showed a fine turn of speed right through the whole of the 22 miles. Over the last lap, and in the pouring rain, he made hacks of the field, winning as he liked, and incidentally winning fastest time. Whitten, at the present time, is in a winning position for Mr. A. Kohn's gold medal for winner of most races during the season, but as only half the season has gone there is yet time for plenty of surprises. The second and third riders to finish in Saturday’s race were F. Taylor and “Con.” I. Gainsborough. Neither of them had any chance of beating the winner, but made a good race of it for second place, the former winning by three-quarters of a length. R. Foubister. who finished close up fourth, had the misfortune to have his chain come off during the running of the race, but quickly putting it back on again, he gradually picked up the field and sprinted into fourth place. Foubister’s was a very fine performance.

WET-WEATHER RACING Saturday’s weather conditions were nothing to write home about. Early j in the afternoon it was seen that ; there was rain hanging about, and j shortly after the start of both races! it started to come down. In no time I the roads were inches deep in water. ' and decidedly treacherous in many i places. Rounding the Black Bridge corner. A. W. Pinker skidded anti came down, bringing W. Dwight and S. J Baird. It was decidedly unfortunate 1 for these three riders, as they were holding good positions just there, and I appeared to have a chance of winning, i In the cash event, slipping on the greasy road at Robertson’s corner was responsible for five riders coming down, but none of them was hurt. WAKE UP, AUCKLAND CENTRE! The Manukau Amateur Cycle Club strongly complains of the lack of at- j tention given to correspondence by the secretary of the Auckland Centre of the Amateur Athletic Association Secretary Wilson and his committee | have decided to acquaint the New Zeu land Council with the facts, and as they are of a very interesting nature, from some amateur prizewinners’ points of view, interesting develop mCnts are awaited. Wellington has been allotted the 50

mile New Zealand amateur road championship, and September 1 is the date > on which it will be decided. At presenr the title is by Aucklander J. H Wade, a boy of 17 years. It looks likely to be held by him for some time if he can reproduce his recent form. It is to be hoped that in the interests of amateur cycling. Auckland amateurs ' will make it their business to see that ; their champion again defends his title. I The cost of sending a rider to Welling- | ton is so small that our two best should ! be sent. This would allow for one

helping the other in case oi any unforeseen circumstances arising, during the running of the race. The Auckland Centre in the past—thanks largely to the efforts of Mr. W. Morton ha= sent away many athletes to defend their respective titles, but ‘A elos maintains that it has never had a better chance of sending away a ridti who, barring accidents, must be given a great chance of bringing back this coveted honour, than it has in sending away its present champion and title-holder, J. H. Wade. The nineteenth stage of the great Tour de France road race is being contested to-day. The distance is one of the shortest of the stages, being only 86 miles, and is from Metz to Charleville. The remaining three stages are over distances of 168. 15», and the final day (Sunday next) miles. Latest news through place? H. Opperman (V.) twelfth. H. Watson (N.Z.). twentieth. P. Osborn twentyeighth, and E. Bambridgo forty-third in the aggregate.