Speed-Cycling on Road and Track By “VELOS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 422, 2 August 1928, Page 11

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track By “VELOS”

The Manukau Amateur Cycle Club, Auckland’s premier cycling body, advanced its road racing season a further stage on Saturday when it held its second “time trial” and sealed handicap event. Perfect weather, a splendid course, a very large entry, together with a remarkable recordbreaking ride by J. Whitten, were the principal features of the afternoon’s racing. J. Whitten, the hero of Saturday’s “time trial,” put up a record for the course that will stand for some time. Clocked by three watches he went the 22 miles (unpaced) in 58m 36 4-5 sec. This is a remarkable performance, and beats all Auckland’s best amateurs’ efforts easily. He has been one of the Manukau Club’s most consistent riders this season, but his effort on Saturday was easily his best. His time, too, was good, being lm 29 l-5s better than our previous best. WADE FOR WELLINGTON J. H. Wade the New Zealand champion 50-miler, and Auckland’s leading wheelman, suffered defeat at the hands of Whitten to the extent of 60sec over the 22 miles. This young rider has had an exceptionally fine career, holding at the present time the New Zealand 50-mile road championship, the Auckland 50. and the Manukau Club’s 11-mile event. Though only 17 years of age he has been a consistent winner at his club’s Saturday races for the last three seasons. In junior and senior events he has more than held his own ever since he started racing. He is to be asked to make the trip to Wellington to defend his New Zealand championship title in this years’ 50-mile race, taking place there in September, and should he decide to make the trip he is sure to start one of the favourites. M. P. Byrnes, Auckland’s best known

wheelman, is devoting most of his time to studying lately, which no doubt accounts for his poor showing in some of his recent races. He also may be induced to go to Wellington to be a starter in this year’s New Zealand “50,” and should Wade and he both go, they will be a formidable pair to beat. THE “AUCKLAND FIFTY” The Auckland 50-mile championship will be held on October 6. The entry for this event promises to be a record for the club. It is hoped that F. Henwood (Hamilton) can be persuaded to start, as the meeting of such a recognised stayer with Auckland’s best would lend considerable interest to the event. A trial “50” is to be held on Saturday, August 18, when riders will have an opportunity of trying themselves out. Next Saturday’s races are a s£-mile junior, and an 11-mile open handicap event. The Auckland Centre of the Amateur Athletic Association has been rather dilatory in handing out the trophies won by riders, and donated by supporters. The Manukau Amateur Cycle Club has recently brought under its notice this fact, and it is now the centre’s intention to hand all trophies won during last year to riders direct, instead of at the usual annual “smoko,” which has been abandoned by President W. Morton. A GREAT RACE The ALickland Athletic and Cycling Club’s race to Papakura and back was an exceptionally well contested event. The handicapper evidently has the form of cash riders well thought out, as Saturday’s race was exceptional, in that the field only bunched a mile from the finish, after an exceptionally hard race. Once the back markers came on the scene, the result was easy to foresee. As soon as the scratch men,

Prior and Hayes, picked up the field they went straight to the front. Prior taking the lead. For once, Slater Hayes got left, Prior “jumping” him on the flat approaching Mangere Hill. Keeping up a fine turn of speed over the top, he was never troubled, winning comfortably. F. Lowndes (4min) put in a great run over the last fifty yards, but could make no impression on the winner. S. Hayes (scratch), who finished third, and K. J. Mathieson (2min) who finished fourth, both found the climb over Mangere Hill anything but to their liking when nearing the finish. The only rider in the race to strike trouble was G. Hill, who punctured. Early in the season this rider won three open handicap races on end, but lately he does not appear to be in winning form. Next Saturday’s cash race, a 14 mile open handicap event, promises to be a good one, as already all Auckland’s leading professional riders have entered. Given a fine day, and with Prior and Hayes starting off the scratch mark, this race should be the Auckland Club’s b©6t this season. AUCKLAND ROAD CLASSIC This year's classic—the Hamilton to Auckland road race—will be held on

Saturday, September 22. This will give the fastest time rider a chance of going to Christchurch to compete in the Timaru-Christchurch race should he feel inclined. The course this year will be from Hamilton to the Alexandra Trotting Track, via Otahuhu, Mangere and Onehunga. The race carries with it the Dunlop Rubber Company’s valuable Silver Cup, and numerous cash and other prizes; and promises to be easily the best race of its kind so far held here. An energetic committee with Mr. P. A. Richards as chairman, Mr. B. Helming, as vicechairman and Mr. H. Tonkin ae secretary, will see to it that the necessary

arrangements in connection with this popular event are well carried out. All entries close on September 15.

Trophies have been donated to the Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club by Mr. N. McQuilken, Onehunga, and Mr. P. Faithful, Auckland, for competition during the coming road racing season. Both these gentlemen have the club’s best thanks for their assistance, which needless to say is very much appreciated. As cash riders, like amateurs, ride only for the amount of entry money received every Saturday, a few more donations would be welcome.

HANDICAPS FOR SATURDAY The following are the handicaps for the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club's 5i miles junior and 11 senior road races to be held on Saturday afternoon, at Mangere, the junior evcnc starting at 2.30; SJ-Miles Junior Race. —D. Hope, sir; A. Rose, 30s; G. Whitehouse, C. Francis-, lm; E. Ramsay, W. Smithson, E. Hal!, H. McEntee, lm 30s: W. Knight. H- Abbott, O. S. Young, W. Murphy, W. Johnston, X. War dell. 2m; R. Francis, 2ra 30s; S. Pinfold, F. Carlyon, 3m. 11-Miles Senior Race.—J. Whitten, -L H. Wade. M. P. Byrnes, scr; H- R. Dwight, F. J. Casey. H. G. Brewin, L. G. Chambers, lm; C. I. Gainsborough, < G. Galbraith, S. Litchfield. L. Pinfold. A. W. Pinker, lm 30s; R. G. Foubister, X. Fisher, S. Baird, F. Taylor. 2m; W. Dwight, A. Sercombe, H. McElroy, G. W. Rollerson, W. Tomlinson, W. Rowe, L. H. Devlin, 2m 30s; C. A. Clarke, J. C. Stewart, F. J. Potter, H. Russell, 3m; R. Watson, F. J. Hughes, H. J. McLaren, H. Borland, K. Spragg, 3m 30s; D. Fletche-. G. H. Worms, G. Heron. L. Aldred. M. Howie, H. V. Hamilton, W. Borland, F. E. Pinker, G. P. Clarke, L. D. Roberts, C. Harris, C. L. Russell, 4m; J. Livingstone, L. Hall, A. Reed, J. Leather. F. White. D. Bleakley, J. Aitken. F. Gibb , S. R. Gatland, 4m 30s; J. Malam, J. McDonald, W. Clarke, F. Berry. C. Young, T. W’right, Gk R. Gibbs, R. Carlyon, -m.