Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1014, 3 July 1930, Page 15

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

By

THE AMATEURS Another large muster of riders com- } peted in the 23-mile handicap event conducted by tho Manukau Amateur Cycling Club last Saturday afternoon. A*feature of the racing was that more riders completed the course. Even so, the number to finish can be greatly improved upon, and it is hoped that before many more weeks have elapsed all the starters will clock tho full distance. Owing to entries for the junior race not coming up to the required cpiota, tho youngsters’ race was declared off. The boys from the junior ranks then started in the senior event. All but one crossed the finishing line, which speaks well for the condition and keenness of the juvenile enthusiasts. Ron Foubister (3mins) made a dramatic debut after his spill at the Western Springs Stadium. In winning the double —first and fastest time — Ron showed that his enforced spell from the game had done him good After traversing a lap, Foubister dropped his co-markerS, to ride the rest of the distance unpaced. The handi- ! capper will have to put this rider nearer the back division, as he recorded one of the easiest wins this season. * * Tho race last Saturday week must have taken a few of the rough edges off C. Harris, for he showed a marked improvement to gain second honours last week-end. Harris is a game pedaller. and does not give in when the hard riding is sighted. For his second appearanco this season he rode a fine ’ race. * * * | Eric Cleaver keeps on “bobbing up” to gain a place. This time it was a 1 third. After his two recent accidents, , the luck of the game seems to have swung around in his favour. When s heads were turned for home, a big ’ bunch was pedalling for third place. ' Here, Cleaver came away with a cha.r----5 acteristic dash to gain the verdict by ; a clear length and a-half. To be beaten by 9sec for fastest time was the lot of Hen. Dwight. This » rider was unfortunate that his co- - marker, J. Wade, retired, thus leaving Dwight to traverse tlie last three , laps unpaced. Wade stated afterward that his seat was altered to a position that did not suit him. This was re- : grettable for the two scratch riders, as on© of them would have certainly annexed tho coveted trophy. It is learned that the Manukau Club’s handicapper, Mr. George Cleaver, is retiring from tho position of starter and handicapper. Mr. Cleaver has done his work well. He has had the most thankless job to perform, but his adjustments of the riders was always That of a man who knew the work. His presence at all the outings will be missed. He has set his successor. Mr. Jack Auckram, a hard task to carry on to produce such splendid finishes. In Mr. Auckram, the club , has secured another keen supporter of the game. This enthusiast was the secretary of the Auckland centre of the N.Z.U.C., while that body had Its headquarters in Auckland. Now the control has gone to the Capital Citj*, Jack will have plenty of time to study 3 the form of the competitors.

“CYCLOS." ,

THE CASH RIDERS No fault could be found with the j conditions last Saturday, when the ‘ Auckland Cycle Club advanced its road , season a further stage. The event | was the longest yet decided this sea- | son, and this reason may account for i the largo number of retirements. A j good field was dispatched, the result ! being in doubt until the final stages I were entered upon. * * * W. Mathieson managed to “crack it” for a win at last. The two previous weeks ho has been in the money, but ho was not content to receive the thin j end of the purse, so put forward his best effort for some time, to romp home j an easy victor. Last Saturday week ! Bill had a tussle up the straight with j Jim McDonald. The latter was forced over on to the bad part of the road Many thought that McDonald would j havo downed the second-place man j By his performance last week it looks ns though the result would have been the same. A popular performer is J. McDonald. | Ho put in some good work for his I second place. He met a better pedal- ! ler on the day. However, beware of ! Jim when he strikes his true form, as I ho relishes a good finish. The longer j distances will find him among the I dividend division. * * * By gaining third place, S. Hayes ! showed that he is still as good as ever. This cyclist also annexed fastest time. Although well away from the first two. Slater was unfortunate in losing his co-marker, K. Mathieson, thus depriving him of the fast laps. 1\ Taylor was fourth. From the •Iniin mark this rider did really well to beat all but the placed men. When caught by Hayes, he did not give in, but went on to help the former to gain tho honours trophy—fastest time. More will be heard of this rider. AV. Ritchie did .not relish the long distance. The shorter courses are more to his liking. Nevertheless, a pedaller of Ritchie's calibre will not tako long in adapting himself to the more strenuous tasks. Had he caught Hayes, Alex would certainly have once more added a time victory to his credit. •it * * Two welcome starters were veteran W. Hills and S. Gooch. It will be remembered that the latter annexed fastest time in the Hamilton - Auckland classic of 1928. With a few more rides he will give a good account of himself Billy Hills says he would like to be riding back to his old form again. The younger brigade had better not tako him too cheaply, as he was one of the best of the old hands, and might come along with a rush when least expected. * * * Saturday will see the 13-mile handicap event run off. This will comj prise five laps of the circuit, and will commence at 2.45 p.m.