Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1002, 19 June 1930, Page 15

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

By

“CYCLOS."

THE AMATEURS Last Saturday the first of the races on the new course, held under the Jurisdiction o£ the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club, took place. The course proved to be a stiff test for the competitors. Out of a. total of IS starters more than half failed to see out the journey. This may. in some measure, lie accounted for by the fact that the liberally-placed division made full use of its handicap. A feature of the raco was the non-appearance of any scratch men, J. Wade filling the bill of virtual scratch, from the oOsec. mark. The scratch trio did not participate owing to the lack of racing, they contending that the task of giving away big handicaps, when not fit, was too severe

The Baird brothers were the shining lights. U. Baird was the ultimate winner, while his elder brother, Stewart, annexed fastest time honours. The winner of the event put in some solid work throughout the race. Kyen then he left himself with a final sprint. This he used to good effect, downing his adversaries in a real veteran s manner. More will be heard of this lad as he seems to relish the solid going. There are three of the Baird family in the cycling game now, for besides these two riders, a sister. Miss V. Baird, was among the entrants for the women’s events at the Western Springs Stadium. The cycling sport seems to be noted lor its family adherents.

Another second was added to V. Gordon’s record. This junior pedaller put in the hardest race of all the starters. For some considerable part of the journey he had to travel alone, after he had "dropped” his four comarkers. The merit of his ride may be gauged from the fact that on starting the last lap of five miles, he was 33sec. behind the leaders. By the time he had caught the front riders lie had no time for a spell, thereby being at a disadvantage when heads were .turned for home. The youngest rider competing on the day, Vic deserves every praise for his splendid showing. He will be an acquisition when transferred to the senior ranks.

A co-marker of the winner, R. Easton Cumin) was third. He put m some good pace work over the initial stages, but could not carry on when the pressure was on. Baston was well beaten into third place. Nevertheless, this lad should learn by the experienoo he gained, and no doubt will again figure prominently in future events, providing, of course, that he is not too severely treated by G.C. A 13-mile senior and a five-mile junior handicap will be the programme for Saturday afternoon. Ail junior members are asked to be on hand at 2 p.m. to revive tills type 01 race. AUCKLAND CLUB’S RACE The following handicaps have been declared for the Auckland Cycle Club’s 18-mile road race on Saturday:—A. Ritchie, scr.; S. Hayes,, J. Lindop, lm- K Mathieson, lm 20s; D. Fletcher, S. Gooch, lm 455; XV. Francis. G. Hall, 2m 455; L. Pinfold. C. Galbraith, 3m 10s; P Storev, F. Taylor, Sm 30s; N Healey, S.’ Litchfield. C. Harris, W Mathieson, 4m: J. McDonald, C. Yule, H. Gamp, 4m 15s; F. Potter, R. Clarke, 4m 30s: A. Rose G. Rollerson, 4m 4os; F. Lowndes, K. Rae, W. Archer, E. _Moore, sm; C. Willoox. N. Whyte. *>m los: XX. Hills, A. Sercombe, H. Pelham, C. Reid, 5m o0s; K Gardiner, C. Slack, K. Clarke, 11. Clay, dm; R. Green, L. Tomkins, W. Guy 6m 30s; S. Arnott, XV. Smithson. H. King, tm; A. Freeman, L. Hall, 7na 30s.

THE CASH RIDERS A much larger field than usual faced Starter Tonkin last Saturday, when the Auckland Cycle Club decided an 18-mile handicap event over the now course. A head wind for most of the journey hindered the riders, who were required to traverse seven laps o£ the circuit to complete the distance. The hard riding told its tale on the majority of the starters, only five 'breaking the finishing tape. Alex. Ritchie, the scratch rider, has yet to be beaten in a road race in Auckland, both for first place and time honours. He has only to win next week to beat the record put up by N. Healey and G. Hall, in 1928, when these two pedallers both secured three wins on end. Of course, their performances cannot be compared with the efforts of the present winner, for he has annexed all his victories from the back mark, whereas the other two put up their records off handicaps. It looks as though Ritchie is going to have a mortgage on both the X J oints and Purdy cups. The latter trophy is usuallv won with about 14 points, and as Alex has nine points already he will take some heading off.

K. Mathieson again filled the role of runner-up. When this rider saw he could not overtake the leaders by himself, he waited on tiro scratch man. These two put in splendid team work. Not only did they catch the other starters, but they went on to fill first and second places respectively. It would be indeed fitting if Ken could salute the judge, as a winner, for lie is tho club's most improved rider. Since leaving the amateur ranks this enthusiast lias learnt the art of laptaking. and still having a final sprint. Although small, he is the hardest rider to "shake off” in a gruelling race.

One of the old school of the club was in third berth. This was the elder Mathieson. Stili as keen as ever. Bill finds grreat enjoyment in turning out for the week-end exercise. Winning or losing, he does his best to foster the true spirit of sportsmanship among the cycling fraternity. Although unable to get the necessary amount of training to fit him for a hard race, Mathieson sets an example to the other members by turning out and finishing in his starts. * « - Next week’s race xvill be over the same course and distance as last week. With good overhead conditions, a further improx’errient in the number of starters should be shown. The race is timed to start at 2.45 p.m.

MANUKAU CLUB’S HANDICAPS

The following handicaps have been declared for the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club’s i-aces on Saturday:

Five-miles Junior Handicap.—R. L. Francis. S. Pinfold, scr.; A. XV. Robinson, <4 A Thompson, lm; L. Oxton, C. C. Beart, lm 50s; K. M. Ingram, S. Budge, L. Cogan, K. Sargent, XV. Webb, 3m; C. Campbell, 4m. Fifteen-miles Senior Handicap.—lt. L. Dwight, scr.; -T. 11. XX'ade. 50s: N. B. Casev, A. XV*. Pinker, L. H. Dwight, E. A. Cleaver, S Baird, lm 30s: E. J. Avery, E. Mullane, G. J. Whitehouse. E. D. Andrews. 2m 10s; C. Harris. U. X r . Gordon, XV. Tomlinson, C. A. Clarke. D. Baird. 3m; A. H. Grtgg. XX*. Clarke, C. Hansen, S. R. Gatland. R. T. Baston, 4m 10s; A K Cook, XV. Borland, D. Foster, 6 m 10s.