Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 884, 30 January 1930, Page 7

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

By

"CYCLOS.”

THE AMATEURS i On account of Anniversary Day falling on the date on which the midweek races of the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club are held, no contests were decided. However, a spell will not bo amiss, as the cyclists, generally, have had plenty of carnival meetings to keep them fit. * * * Last Saturday afternoon a number of wheelmen journeyed to Sturges Park, Otahuhu, to participate in the official opening of this ground. Some good racing was witnessed, noth withstanding the rough nature of the circuit. No falls were recorded and altogether a pleasing function resulted. W. Borland was the most unlucky performer on the day. This youngster put up a sterling ride on his own in the two-mile handicap. Off a liberal start he looked to have a good chance of victory, but the pace told on him at the finish. Should he register a win it will perhaps be the most popular recorded in the club.

In the final of the two-mile E. Hall had a gruelling ride lor liis victory. Ho started off a good mark, and consequently had to make his own pacing. Although a good bunch cf solid riders was behind him. Eddie proved j a tough proposition. He had a use- j tul lead at the finish. The one-mile handicap sow L. j Roberts win both his heat and final. The conditions were to his liking, the ] track being on the slow side. Roberts has not performed too well on the track of late. His victory was well deserved. With the present controversy in cycling circles, and the unfortunate accident to Mai Byrnes, it does not appear, at present, that Auckland will be represented at the forthcoming Kew Zealand championships. Tie event held on Monday evening under the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club showed that none of the riders engaged Was up to representative j standard. It is to be hoped, for the benefit of cycling, that the breach will he healed before the championships take place.

THE CASH RIDERS Professional cy-clists turned out in force last Saturday, when the opening of Sturges Park, Otahulrj, was celebrated by r the Auckland Club holding a sports meeting. Three professional and two amateur cycling events were held. The weather conditions were ideal, the absence of any wind making riding .much easier than is usually the case. JThe most consistent performer was W. Francis, of Papakura. His victories were the outcome of good judgment. Pinfold proved his conqueror in the mile event, but later in the day, over the longer journey*, Bill made amends by reversing the places. An unfortunate incident occurred in the two-mile final. This was when L. Pinfold crossed the line with his hands off the handle-bars. Certainly it is against the rules, and, furthermore, is very likely to have caused an accident had other riders been handy. As it was, many breaches went unnoticed, but Pinfold was placed in the position o l being the only one reported.

A. Sercombe registered his first win as a cash rider. The ex-amateur rode his best race to date, and. making good use of his handicap, annexed, the half-mile flutter by* a length. Sercombe looked all over a winner of tho mile heat as well, but his tyre came off in the final sprint. A pleasing feature was the victories I scored by* the middle and limit j markers. Ko doubt the track plaved j an important part. The back-markers | could not get up to even within striking distance. To see riders who have not been in the limelight for some considerable time salute the judge, will give the lesser lights some encouragement to compete. The most notable absentee last week was J. Harcourt. His place was taken, however, by Alex. Ritchie, quar-ter-mile sprint champion of Kew Zealand. Under the circumstances he rode two good races. When the races are resumed on the banked circuit Ritchie will show his wares, as it is on this class of track that he performs best. Should he decide to stay in Auckland he will be a worthycontender for scratch honoxirs with the Hamilton champion. Next week's event will be held at Western Springs on Wednesday, at 3.30 p.m. Ail members are requested to attend.