Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 908, 27 February 1930, Page 7

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

By

"CYCLOS."

the CASH RIDERS I

On Monday evening last a four-lap handicap was staged by the Auckland cycle Club. The racing conditions ffer s ideal. No scratch riders participated, which took a great deal o£ interest out of the contest. Nevertheless a good field of 10 completed the course. It was difficult to forecast the winner until the last stretch, as all punches put in some good work. * * * The winner turned up in Frank Taylor, who further added to his good record on the banked circuit. Undoubtedly Taylor has been the most consistent rider on the stadium. He well deserved his victory as he helped to keep the virtual scratch markers away. A continuance of this form should see this cyclist run out with a good average at tho conclusion of tho season. Col Yule showed a welcome return to his old form when he gained second money. Yule was performing verywell at the start of the season, but suddenly lost his finishing ability:. Perhaps now he has purchased a new machine he may find favour with himself once more. J. Macdonald keeps on getting into tho finals. After his success at the amateur carnival, when he won the mile race, he has not been able to train on 4CCount of his occupation. Now that he is in work again he should be once more hard to dispose of in any class of contest. • * * Tho third annual meeting of the Auckland Club was held in the Chamber of Commerce last Tuesday evening. Mr. J. L. Harris was in the chair and presided over a fair attendance. The road season was voted to start on the first Saturday after Easter. Various matters in connection with the sport were dealt with, and several accounts passed for payment. Mr. H. Tonkin was re-oleeted secretary and Mr. G. Knight handioapper for the ensuing season. At the carnival to be held next Wednesday evenirg by the Manukau Club two races will bo put on for the professional members. These will be over two and four laps respectively’. Good entries have been received and with the cash riders now in good form excellent finishes should be provided.

THE AMATEURS

On account of the large number of events scheduled for the carnival which was held last evening at "Western Springs, the officials of the Manukau Amateur Club were forced to run off a number of preliminary heats. In all, four of these were decided, together with a two-lap junior handicap, and a three-mile senior race. The latter event was contested by 15 riders, but was marred by a bad crash in the fourth lap, spoiling a number of riders’ chances. Nevertheless, one of the most sensational victories was recorded by the ultimate winner. ♦ * * The four winners of the elimination tests, Wade, Mackie, Roberts and Dwight, proved their sprinting ability over the other contestants. Although beaten for the semi-finals, they all competed in another event for second and third men. Starting off scratch for the first time in a handicap event at the Stadium, H. Dwight fully justified his placing on the mark of honour. Lapping it out with his other two comarkers, he soon had the field within striking distance. After that he showed his usual good judgment. However, he was lucky enough not to have been interfered with in the spill. With one and a-half laps to go, Hen worked for a position, but it was not until the back straight was reached that he showed up. Then putting in his claim from a length and a-half behind the leader, he unearthed a sprint never before seen on this track, to down that versatile rider, A. Mackie, by half a wheel. A. Mackie, second, was looked upon to be a winner coming into the straight, but was downed on the post. Angus is at present in good form, and it should not be long before he is credited with a first. J. Dykes was the unfortunate one in this event. Hitting Mackie’s back wheel he fell heavily, bringing down Wade and Francis. Dykes’s injuries necessitated his admission to the hospital and the report is that his condition is still serious. J. Wade suffered severe gravel rash, but was soon over the effects. «« * * A popular win was recorded in the two-lap junior race, when W. Paul rode over the line to gain his track victory. Making good use of his handicap, he pedalled hard all the way to win by four lengths from H. Gordon and A. Bowen. No doubt this victory will spur him on to further success.