Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 594, 21 February 1929, Page 11

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

By

"CYCLOS.”

COMING EVENTS Wednesday, February 20.—Half-mile Handicap, Domain, 5.45. p.m. Wednesday, February 27. —Three Miles Handicap, Domain, 5.45 p.m. Saturday, March 2.—Henderson Club, at Henderson Domain. Saturday, March 2.-—-Otahuhu Club. at Mangere Crossing Trotting Track. Saturday, March 9.—East Tamaki Club, at East Tamaki. Saturday, March 16.—St. Patrick Day Sports, Domain. Saturday, March 23. —Combined meeting, Carlaw Park. Henderson Club’s Meeting The Henderson Club’s annual sports meeting will be staged at the Henderson Domain next Saturday week. Entries for the various events will be received by the secretary of the Manukau Club. Several riders gave the track a look over last Sunday morning, and while there were met by the secretary of the Henderson Club, Mr. B. T. Murray, who sought suggestions regarding the earth track, which was in the course of preparation. Much work will yet have to be done before the track can really be classed as fit for racing, but it is hoped that this work will be completed by next Saturday, when all intending competitors will be welcome to give the course a try-out. Clashing of Dates It has been announced that the Otahuhu Club is unable to postpone its meeting" scheduled for March 2 owing to the fact that full arrangements were made for the gathering before the club’s executive was advised that the Henderson Club was holding its meeting on the same date. The Otahuhu Club has requested the Manukau Cycling Club to take over the control of the three wheel events, entries for which will close with the secretary of the Manukau Club on Monday next. It is indeed unfortunate that the two suburban clubs should clash with their dates, but providing Auckland’s large quota of cyclists will all turn out, there should be sufficient competitors to provide both meetings with a good of cyclists. Saturday’s Handicap Events The two handicaps at Carlaw Park on Saturday provided excellent racing. In the second heat of the two miles, R. G. Foubister (160yds) caused quite a sensation, for, with, two laps to go, he raced away from the field, opened a gap of 80yds and completed the distance with still 40vds to spare. However, in the final, which was run oft* shortly afterwards, he had to pay for such folly and had great difficulty in getting into third place. E. A. Cleaver (ISOyds) won in fine style after being well placed throughout the eight laps. Early in the race he put in some stinging laps; at the bell he had control with the field in close attendance,, and although seriously challenged down the back straight by Foubister was able to keep

; his position and win by a length from F. E. Pinker (170yds), with Foubister a close third. The decision in the half-mile final met with strong disapproval from the spectators immediately near the finishing post. The finish was particularly close, and only the judges were in a position to separate the trio as the flashed over the white line, G. W. Rollerson (50yds) reeciving the verdict from A. Reed (100yds)- In summing up the afternoon’s sport it must be admitted that too many officials apppeared on the enclosure. There was absolutely no occasion fo.r such a vast number, nine would have sufficed. Spectators on the far grandstand had little opportunity of witnessing the close finishes on account of the crowding of officials around the finishing line. Dargaville-Whangarei Race At a recent meeting of the Dargaville Cycle Club it was decided to hold the Dargaville-Whangarei and back cycle road race on aSturday, March 23. The first prize will be £ 15 and the Barnett Glass Cup valued at £ls 15s. This is the fourth year in which the Dargaville Club has promoted this event, and each year it has attracted more entries. The fastest-time prize is worth £5, while in addition to this the rider will reecive the North Auckland championship ribbon and a gold medal valued at £5 ss. The Dargaville Club has forged ahead in recent years and has produced some good cyclists, one of the best being the wellknown long-distance man, F. Prior, who clinched the big event promoted by the club in 1925. Auckland riders who intend making the trip to the Northern town for' the big road race can rest assured that they will receive the same hospitality as they have done on previous! occasions. Brilliant Wade The magnificent performance of Jack Wade at the championship gathering last Saturday calls for unlimited praise. During the afternoon he won Vevents —three heats and three finals, and in doing such he established a performance unparallleled in amateur cycling in Auckland. Even M. PByrnes, who has climbed many championship events, when at the top of his form, has never managed so many victories in one afternoon as Wade. In all races Wade rode prominently, and throughout showed marked superiority over the other competitors. No other rider was placed more than once in any of the finals, and thus in every final Wade had a different set racing with him up the home straight. For the past five years each Auckland championship gathering has brought out one rider to monopolise all the events; excepting on one occasion when E. J. Biakeway accounted for the two miles’ title in 1927.

Last Evening's Events The half-mile handicap conducted by the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club at the Domain last evening resulted as follows:—First heat: H. Farrer, 120yds, 1; H. Russell, 110yds, 2; G. W. Rollerson, 65yds, 3. Time, 65 2-ss. Second heat: G- W. Spragg, 115yds, 1; A. V. Reed. 110yds, 2; E. A. Cleaver, 70yds, 3. Time, 64 l-ss. Final: H. Russell, llOys, 1: K. Spragg, 115yds, 2; A. V. Reed 110yds, 3. Time, 66 2-ss. Won by a length, with half a length between second and third.

The Auckland Atheltic and Cycling Club staged a one and a-half mile race on the Domain last evening. Following is the result: S. Hayes, scr., 1; K. Alathieson, 40yds, 2; P. Rickman, 125yds, 3. Time, 3.46 4-5. Eleven competitors faced the starter. Hayes managed to lead in the back straight of the final lap and making a hard sprint won by a good two lengths.