N.Z. Cycling Tracks Praised By Opperman

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 872, 16 January 1930, Page 11

N.Z. Cycling Tracks Praised By Opperman

LIKES WESTERN SPRINGS IMPRESSIONS OF TOUR ‘ Auckland ought to become a great cycling centre,” remarked Hubert Opperman this morning, when chatting over his experiences and impressions formed during his New Zealand tour. ‘‘With a track such as you havp got at Western Springs, you could bring world’s champions to race here without fear. Auckland is to be commended on starting a big venture like this, and it only wants public support to boom the sport.” Opperman was greatly impressed by the tracks in New Zealand. Generally, he said, they were better than those in Victoria, which is the home of cycling in Australia. There, they could name only one or two asphalt tracks, and they were not properly banked, whereas in New Zealand there were good tracks at Temuka, Timaru, Waimate, English Park (Christchurch), Wanganui and Auckland. Comparing Western Springs with other tracks, the brilliant little Australian rider said he did not know that the ordinary cycle times would be any faster, but for motor-pacing, Western Springs was far superior. There was more banking on the cornel's, thus allowing high speed. Opperman was also greatly taken with the seating accommodation for the public. ‘‘Phil O’Shea is the best rider down South,” said Opperman. O’Shea was still riding oft scratch and still winning championships, and his times on the track were just as good as ever they were, O’Shea, who was over 40, was a remarkable example of how long an athlete could last who looked aftei himself. His long experience and tracker aft made up for any loss of speed. Two young Southern riders for whom Opperman predicted a good future were Len Hill and W. Weir, the latter being mentioned as a very promising rider behind motor pace. Opperman has not yet ridden in competition in Auckland, so he was not able to express an opinion about the local men. Referring to the standard of riding in New Zealand as compared with Australia, Opperman said that before the war when cycling was equally popular here, the performances of New Zealanders in the Warrnumbool-Mel-bourne race and the big sprint races in Australia showed that New Zealanders could hold their own with the best men in Australia. Since cj'cling continued to boom in Australia, but not so rapidly he,re, there were not so many riders comparatively in New Zealand, and that, of .course, automatically cut down the number of really good riders. But New Zealand riders who did stand out at present were quite up to the best Australian standard. The times proved that. Opperman was enthusiastic about the way he had been treated in New Zealand. It was just like being at home. The champion will make bis final New Zealand appearance at Western Springs tonight, and he will sail for Australia tomorrow'.