Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 890, 6 February 1930, Page 13

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

By

"CYCLOS."

THE CASH RIDERS Conditions were ideal last evening at the AVest-ern Springs Stadium, when a five-lap professional handicap was staged by the Auckland Cycle Club. Quality, not quantity, was the outstanding feature of this race, only ten riders facing the starter. AVith the present large membership, it is disappointing not to see larger fields contesting these events. * * • AA r . Alatliieson, who was one of the middle-markers, scored a popular victory. Bill was a star performer at Blandford Park when that circuit was first opened. Since then he has not been a competitor until this season. He showed a fine turn of speed in the final dash, to gain a close victory. Now he has returned to form, he should keep the others busy. A brother of the winner had the honour of leading in the rest of the field. This was K. Alatliieson. A lap from home it looked certain victory for this pedaller, as he is one of the club’s best sprinters. However, he had to give way, suffering defeat by the narrowest of margins. C. Yule was again in the limelight. Pushing a small gear, Coll worked himself into a good position early in the contest. He rode well, but met his superiors in the sprinting game. Appearing in his first race locally, A. Ritchie did not complete the course. After trailing the field for three laps, ho punctured. Riding from scratch, he was without a co-marker, this making his task difficult. He was -wearing the field down when he had to retire. ** . * Once again S. Hayes will not be on tho active list. This time it is the result of an accident received when he was hit by a motor-car in Khyber Pass, and this will keep him from appearing for a few weeks to come.

Results of last evening’s events are: FIA'E-LAP PROFESSIONAL HANDICAP AV. Alathieson, 100yds .. .. l K. Alathieson, 60yds 2 C. Yule, 140yds 3 AVon by inches. Time, 3.44 1-5.

THE AMATEURS The banked circuit at Western Spring's was in use once more last evening, when the Manuka.ii Amateur Cycling Club decided a three-lap junior and a six-lap senior handicap. Good entries were received in both events. The races produced excellent finishes. In the senior event the judges could not separate the riders for second place, declaring'a dead-heat. • * * A field of seven juniors was sent away in the opening event. The three back riders put in some good laps. At the start of the last lap the field was bunched, the winner being well concealed. In the final sprint Ij. Oxton did best to beat A. Bowen by half a wheel, with C. Beart close up in third berth. It was easily the best finish of a junior race yet seen at the Springs. The consistent Hen. Dwight followed up his Te Awamutu successes by downing a large field in a hard-fought finish. If a number of the other competitors

were to take a, copy of the splendid ’ tactics employed by Dwight in his i races, then more placings would come | their way. It was a treat to see him j gather the field, have a spell, and then come away in a smart dash up the straight to the finishing line. ! * * * The dead-heaters were A. Mackie l and i'. Casey. Casey put in his claim ; first coming along the back stretch i with Mackio in hot pursuit. Entering the straight the two were on terms, I and so they raced to the finish, where they could not be separated. It was a good climax to the event as the frontmarkers made those behind them work hard to close the gaps. On the first lap J. Wade had the misfortune to puncture, and so took no part in the race. Had he not had this accident, he may have been a finalist, as his co-marker also gathered in the field. Only one spill was recorded. This was when L. Roberts fell during the last lap. Although lie fell heavily he did not receive any severe injury. Results of last evening’s events are: THREE-LAP JUNIOR HANDICAP. L. Ox ton . i A. Bowen * £ C. Beart *' 3 Won by inches. Time, 2.2 2-5. SIX-LAP SENIOR. H. Dwight 1 A. Mackie 2 F. Casey ’ 3 Won by three lengths. Time, 4.14 2-5.