Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1008, 26 June 1930, Page 17

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

- By

"CYCLOS,"

THE AMATEURS Keen racing was witnessed last Saturday afternoon, when the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club advanced the season’s racing a further stage by deciding a 15-mile handicap. A good field of 20 was sent away. Owing to the trying conditions of the race, a number of the competitors did not complete the course. However, with more heats decided, the finishing number should be greatly increased. If E. Avery could have maintained the pace over the last five miles which he had set in the early stages, then he would have run out an easy winner of both time and first place. As it was, he gained the latter honour only. When the last lap was entered on Avery had a useful lead of Ssec. The back-markers then put in their claims —to see one of their number gain the time honours by 9sec. Over a shorter course this wheelman will take a power of heading off. Another second was added to V. Gordon’s list. This game little pedaller did a lot of hard work during the event. When heads were turned for home, he could not go the pace set by the winner. Although beaten, he showed the older riders that a fit cyclist need have no fear of a strenuous course. A win for this junior would be well received by his clubmates.

A moral win, in that he gained fastest time, was annexed by J. Wade. Starting from scratch with H. Dwight, the ex-champion

came away at the right end to take the honours. Now that he is in winning form again, Jack should test the stamina of some of the middle men. With some fast improving riders in

this category, it will be interesting to note the results of the next series of races.

A. journal of interest to those

! the game” is now on the market, j This is “New Zealand Cycling.” The production, a fortnightly publication, ! covers every phase of cycling through - J out the Dominion. The price is six- ! pence a copy. All the Auckland eni thusiasts should support and boost this welcome edition, as it should do much to bring wheelmen throughout the Dominion together. A letter sent to the manager, “New Zealand Cycling,” P.O. Box 20, Wellington, will bring forward any information required about this issue. Any item of interest will also be gladly received.

The event next week will be over four laps of the new course, handicaps for which are as follow: 31. 11. Dwight, Wade, scr; Cleaver, Casey, L. H. Dwight. Avery, Pinker, Baird, lmin 30sec; Mullane, Gordon, Whitehouse. Andrews, Clark, 3min: Baird, Clarke, Tomlinson, Harris, Boston, 4min 30sec; Grigg, Clarke, smin 30sec: Hansen, Pinfold, Catlan, 6min; Foster. Borland, Cook, 9min. A junior race will be held in the event of there being sufficient competitors. THE CASH RIDERS Although conditions -were not pleasant last week-end, the roads were in good enough order to aIIQW the Auckland Cycle Club to decide an 18-mile handicap race over the new course. An average field »was dispatched. Once again some of the riders found the course too severe, and did not complete the distance. v * * With 30sec more handicap allotted to him than the previous week, and with the same distance to traverse, it only needed H. Clay to reproduce his earlier form to make him a certainty for the event. This he did, easily gaining first place, and only being 2min 16see out for fastest time. As on the previous week, he again rode the whole journey unpaced, and at times was lapping better than the bunch of four behind him. After the fourth lap had been left behind, it needed an accident to keep him from gaining a place, so well was he riding. To hold off the back-markers was alone a splendid effort, and the handshakes and cheers showered upon this rider when he had crossed the line goes to show the other riders were not slow to appreciate his merit. W. Mathieson was again in the limelight, this time gaining a second. With his co-marker, S. Litchfield, he lapped it out steadily until all but the ultimate winner was overhauled. With two others, he had every opportunity of winning, but evidently loafing tactics must have been employed, os they made no impression on the leader. Iso doubt existed as to who would gain second place when heads W€ i re turned for home. Coming round the bend for the sprint, Bill secured a length’s lead, which he held till the finish.

S. Litchfield is not yet over the effects of liis recent accident while riding a motor-cycle. Nevertheless, he was a good third. "With more rides he should soon recover his old form.

A. Ritchie was again the hero of the day. To give a rider of Slater Hayes's calibre a minute start, and then overtake him in three laps, is no mean performance. Alex was suffering with an injured hand and kneecap, tho result of a bad spill off his cycle. This affected him to some extent, as some stiff hillwork against a head wind had to be negotiated. The sprint between these two at the finish saw Ritchie gain the verdict by a bare halfwheel, amid great enthusiasm.