Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 932, 27 March 1930, Page 6

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

By

"Cyclos"

THE AMATEURS Owing to Sidey Time now being ended, the races which have been held at the Western Springs Stadium under the auspices of the Manukau Cycling Club, will not be continued. The committee found that the races could not be run off before dark, and as it was not possible for members to be on hand earlier, the only alternative was to forego these events. * * * The winner of the junior race was the son of that keen cycling supporter Mr. Gus Paul. Paul, junior, has shown good form of late. He has been finishing on better, too. This experience will stand him in good stead when he elects to compete among the betterclass fields. * * * W. Thompson—two starts for two wins. Not a bad record for a youngster. In accounting for the big event of the night he demonstrated that he has the making of a good pedaller When he started in his first race in the juniors he was looked upon as a good thing, for he was far too big to be a competitor among the lads under 16 years of age. He has shown his mettle now, and there is no reason why he should not emulate other star riders * * * G. Clark made a bold bid for first honours. His second was a good one, as he stood the winner up 10yds in the half-mile. Had another half-lap been tacked on to the distance, then George would have had a victory. A fast-im-proving rider, Clark is still feeling the effects of a bad spill at the Oppetman carnival. When he gets confidence again he should annex the major stake of a good handicap race. * * * Still trying to win races from a very liberal handicap is W. Borland. It was only over the last bit that he was downed. When Borland is absent, riders can rest assured that no race is being held. He regularly turns up to take his place in the field. Though not many victories come his way, he still manages to get real pleasure out of the sport. * * * Riding from virtual scratch, J. Whitten again demonstrated his sprinting powers. He returned the good time of 58sec for the journey. It will take a smart cyclist to beat Jerry while in his present form. * * * Last evening’s races resulted: Junior One-Mile Handicap.—W. Paul (150yds), 1: L. Oxton ’(4oyds), 2; A. Robinson (30yds), 3. Time, 2.16 2-ss. Senior Half-Mile Handicap.—W. Thompson (90yds), 1; G. Clarke (80yds), 2; W. Borland (150yds), 3. Time, 58sec. THE CASH RIDERS As with the amateur body, so the Auckland Cycle Club has decided that no more races will be held on the banked circuit this season. A spell before the commencement of a hard road season will do a lot of good. It is hoped to see a number of old faces once more when the latter events are brought up for decision. Many of the riders did not take too kindly to the new track, and decided to hold off until the winter programme was entered upon.

In winning the last race.of the track season, N. Healey gained his first victory. He seems to perform best at the latter part of the year. He also gained fastest time in the last event of the 1929 road season. Willmott Makes His Debut W. Willmott, crack Southern cyclist, made his appearance last evening. He has certainly not been over-rated, as he is indeed a firstc'ass rider. At the bell-lap he did not look to have a chance with Healey, who had put a good break on the rest of the field. Settling down, Willmott reduced the gap to about two lengths—a remarkable last-lap effort. Seeing he only landed from Australia yesterday, he should not be long in defeating the club’s best performers. * * When going well last Wednesday week, J. McDonald had the misfortune to be seized with cramp. He was again prominent last evening, but could only gain third money. Off his middle mark he slowed up in the early stages, thus helping to allow the back men to overtake him. Had he gone out, the chances are that Jim been closer. The most surprising entry received was from Litchfield, the scratch rider of the Auckland Amateur Club. It Trill be remembered he was a consistent winner when M. Byrnes sustained his injury and could not compete * * * The race last evening resulted: Five-Lap Handicap.—N. Healey (160yds), 1; W. Willmott (Timaru), (scr). 2; J. McDonald (80yds), 3. Time, 3.16 4-5.