Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 576, 31 January 1929, Page 11

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Tb 7

"CYCLOS."

In the two miles’ professional cycle handicap, held at the Domain last evening. “Slater” Hayes, riding off the scratch mark with J. Lindop, showed a glimpse of the form which enabled him to monopolise fastest times during the 1927 road season. Considerably improved on account of the short spell he has undergone, this popular rider rode a brilliant and heady race. Hayes started off very fast on his eight-lap journey, but with three laps to go the front-markers, comprising P. Rickman, were still in the lead. Making a determined effort Hayes closed the gap and then set about obtaining a handy position prior to the bell lap. With a ftyrlong to go he was in the lead, with W. Francis on his wheel. Entering the finishing straight Francis made a bold bid to get past Hayes, but the latter put in an electrifying finish which gained him the verdict by a clear length and a-half. J. Lindop, the other scratch man, met with singularly bad luck during this race. After three laps had been completed lie was forced to ride off the track through a dog straying across the finishing line and in this way lost about a chain. Later, just before the commencement of the last lap, he had the misfortune to puncture his front tyre, which necessitated his withdrawal from the race. Lindop rode decidedly better than he did the previous week, and should collect a few first prizes before very long. P. Rickman, who rode into third position, is a youthful pedaller who is improving with every race. He sits a bicycle well and only needs to train consistently to be a continual source of annoyance to the scratch brigade. There were nine starters in this race, seven of whom finished. Ken. Mathieson and Harry Pelham appear to be in need of a little more training, as they were unable to last out the full distance. Both of these riders are difficult propositions when fit, as they are both possessed of a useful finishing “kick.” THE WORLD’S CHAMPIONSHIPS The claims of the United States having been relinquished, it is announced by the Union t;youst national© that the 1929 world championships will be held in Switzerland. The final of the track event will take place on Sunday, August 11, and the road race on Saturday, August 17. The championships were last held in Switzerland in 1923, when Michard won the sprint by a wheel from Mazairac, the road title being gained by Ferrario. The 45th international New York six-day race (organised by John Chapman), was won at Madison Square Garden by Georgetti, the Italian, and his American partner, Freddy Spencer. Letourneur and Broceardo, France’s favourites, finished second, with “Reggie” Macnamara (the iron man of six-day races) and Klas Van Nek third. Although weakened somewhat by the absence of those cyclists who have joined “Willie” Spencer in a revolt against the iron rule exercised by John Chapman, the meeting was a record one as far as gate receipts were concerned. Spencer is supported by about forty well-known professional riders, who have formed themselves into a body known as the American Professional Cyclists’ Protective Association. The object is to upset Chapman’s “applecart” by promoting race meetings in all parts of the eastern States, where the big promoter has hitherto been the sole and undisputed “boss.” So far, however, •their efforts have not met with the success anticipated. Taking a large arena in Chicago, Spencer endeavoured to “kill” the six-day race held there annually by Chapman by running off a similar event in the previous week. Result: Expenditure, 60,000 receipts. 29.008 dollars—a state of affairs hardly to the liking of the racers., whose winnings depend upon the profits. Both sides—dissident and statutory—have strong financial backing, and the result is being awaited with intense interest throughout the U.S.A. Binda and Giradergo, the famous Italian pros., have not taken long to get back into form after the removal of the suspensions imposed as the result of their doubtful activities in the world’s championships last year. In three races at Naples they have finLipsey beat Swayne and Miss Armstrong, 9—B; Merrington and Miss F. Lipsey lost to Morrison and Miss Garland, 5—9; Barriball and. Mrs. Mackie lost to Hollis and Miss Thompson, 5—9; Cullen and Mrs. Wright lost to Cox and Miss Crowther, 7 —9; Crompton and Miss E. Ranby lost to Robinson and Miss Feisst, 4—9; Williams and Miss Biggs lost to White and Mrs. Nickle, s—o; Morrison and Miss Noak lost to Entwistle and Miss Hulme. 3 —9; Baddeley and Miss D. Ranby lost to Penn and Miss Armstrong, 3—9. OTOROHANGA GAMES (From Our Own Correspondent) OTOROHANGA, To-day. Results of the Otorohanga Club’s tournament are as follow: In the semi-final of the men’s singles, D. Anderson beat E. P. Lee, 60—52, and C. Howarth beat Drube, 60 —54. In the final Anderson beat Howarth, 60—49. In the women’s singles, semi-final, Miss Corboy beat Miss Miller, 45—23, and Miss Hitchings beat Miss Lawson, 45—-34. In the final Miss Corboy beat Miss Hitchings, 45—39. In the final of the men’s doubles Lee and Drube beat Trapski and Anderson, 60—51. In the women’s doubles, semifinal, Misses N. and M. Ross beat Misses McCready and Burrell, 45—35, and Misses Hitchings and Isaac beat Misses Leathern and Svmes, 45—32. In the final Misses Hitchings and Isaac beat Misses N. and M. Ross. 45—41. In the mixed doubles semi-finals, Lawrence and Miss Lawson beat Drube and Mrs. Miller, 60—46, and Hughes and Miss Corboy beat Roberts and Miss Ross, 60—44. Final: Ingham and Miss Corboy beat Lawrence and Miss

ished first and second, in alphabetical order. MANUKAU AMATEUR CLUB The three miles handicap promoted by the above club last evening was well patronised, there being the good field of 16 starters. There was one spill, Baird crashing in the eighth lap. Soon after the start the field resolved itself into three groups, the limit men comprising the three placed riders; the middle-markers, Baird, Foubister and Pinfold; and the backmarkers, Wade, Galbraith and Nankivell. For several laps the front bunch, who had threequarters of a lap start, were riding at exactly the same speed as the scratch men. With the race half finished the general opinion was that the winner would emerge from the leading group. At two laps to go A. Sercombe was in the lead, closely followed by Cleaver and Rollerson. Sercombe held his lead until he entered the straight, when Rollerson shot up very fast on the inside to win by a length. At the bell the riders were bunched, and Rollerson’s sprint put a brilliant finish to a very spectacular last lap. This is now Rollerson’s second win in succession, and provided he holds his current form he will be a tough nut to crack in the five miles House Cup race, to be decided next Wednesday. Rollerson has a neat action and a style which is suited more to a smooth track than a rough one. For this reason he may possibly not show to advantage on the Lynndale track next Saturday... A. Sercombe, who rode strongly throughout to finish second, is a mere handful, and yet he has always a sprint left at the finish. Always ready to do his share of pace-making, Sercombe led the field along at a merry clip for the last two laps, but was very unlucky to meet such an improved rider as the winner. C. A. Clarke and E. Cleaver, who finished just behind the placed men, appeared to have their chances spoiled through getting into bad positions prior to the last lap. As predicted before, a victory for Clarke at Lynndale next Saturday will surprise no one, as this rider is fast reaching the pinnacle of his form. Being rather on the heavy side, he needs plenty of work to get himself well, and no doubt he realises this since it is known he has eyes on the coveted House Cup, which is only a week off.

J. Whitten, a prominent Auckland back-marker and 50-mile champion, did not race in this event. Having a partiality for rough tracks, “Jerry” is evidently holding something in reserve for the Lynndale Club’s gathering on Saturday when, provided the handicaps are not too great, he is sure to show a few of the backmarkers how to handle a rough track. The meeting was conducted _ last evening under Secretary L. Wilson and assistants drawn from the executive. Wilson looks fit and well after his North Island cycling tour, during which he covered about 1,000 miles awheel. He will probably not indulge in track racing this season, but will of course officiate. On the road provided the club can secure the services of one or two capable officials to control the starting, time-keeping, etc., Wilson will again pursue his favourite sport this coming season. RACES AT DOMAIN “SLATER” HAYES A WINNER Two cycling races were held at the Auckland Domain last evening, one a three-mile amateur event and the other a two-mile cash handicap. In the amateur race the places were filled by three men with big starts, the back-markers having no chance with them. The cash race was won by veteran “Slater” Hayes, with Francis, of Papakura, a good second. Details; Three Miles Amateur —G. W. Rollerson, 380yds, 1; A. S. Sercombe, 380 yards, 2; L. Aldred, 370yds, 3. Sixteen starters. Won by a length: a foot between second and third. Wade, Nankivell and Co. had no chance of catching the field. Time. 7min 36sec. Two Miles Cash —S. Hayes, scr, 1; W. Francis, 60yds, 2; P. Rickman, 150yds, 3. Won by a length. Rickman was a close third. Time. smin llsec.