Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 452, 6 September 1928, Page 10

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

By

The two outstanding performances in Saturday’s races were the rides of N. Fisher, in the Manukau Club’s open handicap, and J. Henderson, in the Auckland Club’s race to Papakura and back. The former put up the best ride of his career in leading home a strong field of seasoned amateurs, while the latter made hacks of Auckland’s best professionals, m Both wins were popular, Henderson’s particularly so, owing to it being known that previous to Saturday he had five seconds to his credit for this season. It was his first outright win to date, and a good one at that. There were 70 riders competing at Mangere on Saturday, which has been about the average for the last month.

The amateur events hold pride of position. 47 riders holding amateurstatus, against 23 holding cash licences. The pleasing feature of the racing is the interest taken by both cash and amateur riders in one another’s doings. On Saturday, as soon as the two amateur events were over, there was a helter-skelter rush by all the amateur riders to see the finish of the “pros.’ ” event. This, no doubt, acounted for the record attendance at the -winning post. A PERTINENT QUERY When are the handicappers in both amateur and cash events going to give us an adjustment that will let us see the scratch men fighting out a finish for first prize, is what “Velos” wants to know? In these columns it has been repeatedly urged that the back men (the riders on short marks) have never had a chance of getting in the prize money this season. Lust Saturday’s races were no exception. In the amateur event Fisher, the winner, was on 2min 30sec in the 11 miles, and finished the journey in 29min 21 see, while the four scratch ridei*s. Wade. Byrnes, Whitten, and

“VELOS”'

Dwight, over exactly the same course,, and going all out, could do only 29min dead, a difference of only 21sec. In the “pro.” race, Henderson was on 4mins, and finished with practically his handicap to the good. Velos” recognises the thanklessness of a handicapper’s position, but feels sure that an adjustment in both codes can be effected with satisfactory results. TO COMPETE FOR NEW ZEALAND TITLE Auckland will be represented in the New Zealand 50-mile road championship to be held in Wellington this month, by its four best riders —J. H. Wade, M. P. Byrnes, H. Dwight, and J. Whitten. That these four will give a good account of themselves goes without saying, and it now remains for them to see to it that the coveted title comes back to Auckland. At the present time it belongs here, being held by J. H. Wade, the youngest rider in the team, and in his present form the rider who beats him should win. The Manukau Amateur Club has requested the Auckland centre of the A.A.A. to have all provincial championships held in Auckland, their contention being that in the best interests of racing all classic events should be held where the best talent is available. FISHER’S GOOD WIN Noel Fisher, the hero of Saturday’s race, squeezed home by inches from a big field of good riders. Fisher has not had many wins to his credit this season, but those he has, have been won brilliantly. Always carrying a fast finishing sprint, he is a particularly dangerous wheelmen to play with over that last hundred. F. E. Pinker and S. Baird, who finished second and third, could not quite get to the winner. They finished considerably faster than him over the last few yards, but left it too late. The 51-mile junior race was respon-

sible for a fine performance from C. Frances, SOsec, the winner. Starting off the 30sec mark, he lost no time in picking up his field, and though D. Hope, scr., got sight of him, he could not get to him. He won easily by 20 yards. S. Pinfold, 3mins, and W. Smithson, 2mins, being second and third.

“Fastest time Wade” again landed. “Velos” has lost count of the number of times this youngster has scored this* season, but each one seems more decisive than the last. In Saturday’s finish J.H.W. led the opposition out from the distance, and despite the desperate efforts of M. P. Byrnes and M. Dwight to head him off, won by half a length. Rumour says that M. P. Byrnes was not picked in the first instance to represent the Manukau Club in the New Zealand championship 50, but that several members took the matter up, with the result that he has been asked to make the trip. There is no question about M.P.B.’s qualification as a road rider, the only question to ask the club had he not been sent was “Why was he not picked in the first place?” Next Saturday’s races are as follow: Manukau Amateur Cycle Club, si-mile A and B class handicap; Auckland Athlete and Cycling Club, 14-mile open handicap. This race carries with it a valuable trophy presented by H. Tonkin, the club’s secretary, Which goes to the winner. A GREAT LONE RIDER J. Henderson, 4mins, won the Auckland Club’s race to Papakura and back with plenty to spare. It was due to him, as he has not had a win this season. He seems to enjoy the distance races, as he finished quite fresh on Saturday.

T. Kennelly was the surprise of the race. He was on the 9min mark, and when caught by the winner, stayed with him to the finish. He has been in the prize money on two other occasions this year, second in one event, and third in the other. Though not anywhere near in his best form, P. Rickman put up a good performance in riding third. He has been missing from Mangere for the greater part of this season, but the

few rides he has had have made a big improvement in him. He should ride well in the Hamilton to Auckland if he fakes it on. Frank Prior’s fastest time win on Saturday gives him nine and a-half victories for this season. Prior is going the right way to beat “Putty” White’s record of twelve for last season. He and Hayes had a hard ride to get where they did, and it was only Prior’s sheer determination that got him into fifth place, half a length behind Lindop. A GENEROUS GIFT

G. Mathieson has decided to give a cup to the winner of the Auckland Club’s race on Saturday, September 18. “Gerry,” as fie is popularly known, was one of Auckland’s fastest sprinters till last year, when he took to foot-running, deserting his old love; but he cannot keep away from Mangere, and every Saturday sees him and his car there at the disposal of club. The cup,-.which is a very fine one, is sure to attract a big number of starters. The prize list for the Hamilton to Auckland road race is now out, and the committee can congratulate themselves on the magnitude of it. To have a,total prize list of £155 speaks well for those who organised it, and shows how popular the sport of cycling —which only three years ago was practically dead —has become in the past year or so.