THE ROAD RACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1922, Page 7

THE ROAD RACE.

WON BY MOORE (HASTINGS). A GRUELLING CONTEST SOME FAST TIMES. Victory in Saturday’s circular road race round Mount Egmont went to L. R. Moore, a Hastings cyclist, who rode a splendid race throughout the long j >m - ney of about 104 miles, to finish five and alialf minutes ahead of A. E. Epphig (New Plymouth), and J. G. Alian (Hastings), who finished close in that order. The winner, who started off the 31) minutes mark, also gained fastest time, doing the journey in 5 hours 11 minutes 30 seconds, considerably reducing the time of former years, when, however, the race was run on all three occasions in the rain. This year the times‘of all the leading men were within O’Shea’s record of 5 hours 25 minutes 15 seconds, made in 1913. THE START. The public interest taken in the race, which, owing to the war, has been in abeyance since 1913, was strikingly reflected in the large crowd that assembled in the vicinity of the starting point, opposite Messrs. Newton King’s garage in Gill Street. From that point to past the railway station the street was deeply lined with those anxious to catch a glimpse of the men as they set out on their long journey. At starting time (9.30) the sun was thining, though the weather prospects were uncertain, but. though a few showers fell during the early nart of the race, the weather cleared and continued fine. The cyclists had to ride in the face of a fairly stiff breeze on the first ’part of their journey round, the coast. A cheer heralded the departure of the three limit men, promptly on time. Then at close intervals other contestants got away, all being enthusiastically farewelled, till 29 minutes after Coulter and Sutton, who were on the 16-minutes mark, but were the 'back-markers owing to scratchings by O’Shea and Shalders, were despatched amidst cheers. Forty-seven men in all started, being despatched by Mr. A. Hansen. Following are the names of the competitors, together with their handicaps and numbers:— Limit men, 45 minutes (9.30). —L. A. Caveney, New Plymouth (60); M. Kretchman, New Plymouth (59); C. Erewster, New Plymouth (58). 40 minutes (9.35). —H. S. Herbert. Inaha (57); H. D. Maxwell, Opunake (56); D. Fitzherbert, Inglewood (56); H. C. Bint. New Plymouth (54); J. G. Seabright, Ngaere (53); C. Horsup (New Plymouth (52); E. T. Hale, Stratford (50); B. ‘Richmond, Stratford (49); W. Richmond, Stratford (48); D. Owen, New Plymouth (47). 37 minutes (9.38). —H. L. Moles, New Plymouth (4G); M. Anthony, New Plymouth (45); A. Connett, New Plymouth (44). 35 minutes (9.40). —R. P. Fennis, Westown (43); R. Sim, Christchurch (41); L. Williamson, Hawera (39). 34 minutes (9.41). —W. G. Turner, Feilding (38); S. E. Blade, Ashhurst (35). 30 minutes (9.45). —A. Christiansen, Woodville (34); A. E. Epping, New Plymouth (33); L. R. Moore, Hastings (32); D. George, New Plymouth (31); R. Wheeler,. 'Stratford (30); F. Stevens, Christchurch (29); A. Pickin, Masterton (28). 28 minutes (9.47). —G. Munns, Gisborne (27); G. Wylie, Christchurch (26); R. Nicholson. Marton (25); J. Cross, New Plymouth (24). 27 minutes (9.48).—J. G. Allan, Hastings (22); W. S. Sharrock, Stratford (20). 20 minutes (9.49). —W. D. Roebuck, New Plymouth (19); W. Hill, Christchurch (18); W. G. Denford, Marton (17). 25 minutes (9.50). —J. Welsh, Christchurch (16) -. A. J. Coleman. Ngaere (15); A, Bonis, Christchurch (14). 22 minutes (9.53).—W. Mackie, Christchurch (13); D. Welsh, Christchurch (12); G. T. Goodall, Christchurch (11); W. J. Sharrock, Stratford (10). 20 minutes (9.55). —H. T. Prebble, Christchurch (9). 16 minutes (9.59). —A. Sutton, Gisborne (4); J. Coulter, Woodville (3). Those carded who did not start were: P. O’Shea and J. Shalders, Christchurch (scr.); - P. Hill, Christchurch (IGmin.); ■S. W. Crutehley, Wanganui, G. Prebble, Christchurch, and D. Wright, Reefton (20min.); C. Funnell, Blenheim (27min); R. Hodson (Wanganui) (28min.); G. Davidson, Palmerston N. and R. Crutchley, Wanganui (34min.); A. Duggan ,Ha - wera. and R. G. Andrews, Manaia (35 min.); and W. A. Foster, Inglewood (40 min.) ON THE ROAD. The route followed was from New Plymouth, via Oakura, Okato, ißahotu, Opunake (check and feeding station), Kaponga, Eltham (check and feeding sta- ■ tion), Stratford, Inglewood, Egmont Village, Mangorei, finishing in front of the grandstand on the racecourse. With the race under way, the crowd melted away, but the one topic of conversation in town all the morning was as to l the prospective winner of the road .race. The first incident was the return to town of W. Richmond (Stratford), who had collided with E. T. Hale a short distance out of town, and buckled his wheel.

Progress reports were received from various centres en route, the first being from Opunake, when H. S. Herbert (Inaha) and D. Fitzherbert (Inglewood) were reported to have passed through at ten minutes to twelve. Both these competitors started off the 40-minutes mark, and were riding -well with 40 miles of their journey behind them. Connett, Moles, Brewster and B Richmond followed, twenty men altogether passing through before noon. Of these, Moore was lying ninth, followed by 'Epping. ■ The two back-markers. Coulter and Sutton, had covered the distance from New Plymouth to Opunake in 2 hours 14 minutes, passing through Opunake at 12.13 p.m., so up to this point had not reduced the gap between them and the leader, who had covered the distance in practically the same time. The roads so far were good, though rendered slightly slippery owing to the rain. Kaponga reported that Herbert, who was still in the lead, had passed there at 12.37. followed by Fitzherbert, Moore, Wheeler. Moles, Epping and Blade, with seven others riding practically together. The men were riding well, and were favored with good roads. Right on one o’clock Herbert passed through Eltham, where a large crowd of people had assembled to see the cyclists go through. Five minutes later Fitzheflbert followed, but the men behind were making the pace hot, Wheeler and Moore arriving only a few minutes behind him, whilst Moles and Epping apjgMtfed The dUtjwge ap-

peared to be telling on the. men at this stage, most of them showing signs of tiring. The field began to close up on the road to 'Stratford, the first eleven riders passing through between 1.30 and 1.35. Herbert still led, but Moore had displaced Fitzherbert, who was, at this stage lying third, followed in order by Moles, Wheeler, Epping, Cross, Munns, Christiansen, George and Allan. At 1.47 the back-markers, Coulter and Sutton, passed through. Interest deepened as the riders neared home, and the Inglewood report was eagerly awaited. When the news came through it was seen Moore had assumed the lead, and was reported to be riding well with a lead of B miles. Herbert was second, Wheeler third, Epping fourth, with Coleman, leading a bunch of seven, next. THE FINISH.—MOORE WINS. Over two thousand people had gathered at the racecourse to see the finish of the race, and, as the hour drew near tp three o’clock, eyes eagerly scanned the Avenue Road for the flag signal that would denote that the leading rider was in view. Shortly before three o’clock the flagman fluttered the news across the course to the expectant crowd, and very soon afterwards the leader was espied, taking things leisurely, as if conscious of the fact that he had the race well in hand. As he entered the racecourse to circle round to the finishing post, the man was recognised as Moore, and, amidst a large outburst of applause and cheers, he pedalled past the judges and dismounted, apparently undistressed, the only evidence of his strenuous ride being his dust-begrimed figure. He needed no assistance beyond the unstrapping of his feet, and made for the dressing shed amidst another outburst of cheering. About five minutes after two more men were observed, riding together along Avenue Road. They came round the course practically together, being identified as Epping (New Plymouth) and Allan Hastings). Both were riding strongly, and made a gruelling race of it for the tape, but Epping managed to draw away ami win by about three lengths at the finish. Both men appeared “done up,” and were perspiring freely. Their first demands were for a drink, which willing hands soon secured for them. They soon recovered, and were able to take an interest in things again. Cross, a New Plymouth rider, arrived close on the heels of the leaders, to be followed in less than a minute by Bains, of Christchurch. Nearly a couple more minutes elapsed before Herbert who had led practically all the way to Stratford, appeared on the scene. Coleman was sevehth, with Moles a minute later. Others followed at frequent intervals, the youthful Mackie, who recently won the Timaxu-Chrifetchurch road-race, finishing in fourteenth position after a close race to the post with D. Welsh and Coulter, one of the backmarkers. Details: L. R. MOORE (Hastings), 40 minutes. (Britannia Tyre Challenge Cup, £5O cash, and gold medal); time 5 hours 11 min. 30secs 1 A. E. 'EPPING (New Plymouth), 40 minutes ( £l5 cash and bicycle valued at 15gns.); time, 5 hours 17min 2 J. G. ALLAN (Hastings), 27 minutes ( £lO cash and bicycle valued at 15gns.), time, 5 hrs. 14min. 2 sec. 3 J. CROSS (New Plymouth), 28 minutes ( £5 cash and bicycle valued at 15 guineas); time, ishrs. 15min. 3secs 4 A. BONIS (Christchurch), 25 minutes ( £2 2s cash and bicycle valued at 15 guineas); time, shrs. 13 min. 15secs 5 H. S. HERBERT (Inaha), 40 minutes (bicycle valued at logns.), shrs 30min ' 6 A. J. COLEMAN (Ngaere), 25 minutes (prize not awarded); time, shrs. 17m in 7 H. L. MOLES (New Plymouth), 37 minutes (prize not awarded); time, shrs. 30min. 21sees .8 G. WYLIE (Christchurch), 28 minutes (prize not awarded); time, shrs. 24min. 27secs 9 J. WELSH (Christchurch),2s minutes (prize not awarded); time, shrs. 22min. 48secs 10 A. CHRISTIANSEN (Woodville), 30 minutes; time, shrs. 29min. 55 secs 11 D. GEORGE (New Plymouth), 30 minutes; time, shrs. 33min. lOsece. 12 D, FITZHERBERT (Inglewood), 40 minutes; time, shrs. 43min. 12 secs 13 W. MACKIE (Christchurch), 22 minutes; time, shrs. 25min. 31sec. 15 W. WELSH (Christchurch), 22 minutes; time. 51u*6. 25min. 31secs. 15 J. COULTER (Woodville), 16 minutes; time, s'hrs. 19 min. 33secs. 16 FASTEST TIMES: L. R. MOORE (Hastings), £2O cash shrs. 11 min. 30secs 1 A. BONIS (Christchurch), £5 cash, shrs. 13min. lusecs 2 FASTEST TARANAKI RIDER: J. CROSS (New Plymouth), gold medal, shrs. 15min. 3secs 1 FASTEST RIDER UNDER 21: J. G. ALLAN (Hastings), gold medal, shrs. 14min. 2secs 1 A CHAT WITH THE WINNERS. Moore, the winner of the race and of the fastest time, is a tall slim fellow who seems built for speed. He hails from Hastings, and is 23 years of age. Clad in a ulue uniform, and with a spare tube slung over his shoulder, he soon became the centre of a knot of interested spectators on dismounting. Interviewed by a Daily News representative, he said he had been jogging along on his own most of the while. He kept company with Wheeler Some of th? way, but left him at Eltham, and sot out ” after the two men in front, succeeding in catching up and passing Herbert, the leader, right in Stratford. After that he kept plugging away, having a drink, a chat and a short rest at the Waipuku tollgate till he saw the next man coming, and shoved off again. Moore described the roads as fair. He had the wind behind him for most of the way after Opunake, except for a few stretches at various places afterwards Moore gives one the impression of being a thoroughgoing sportsman, and was in no way anxious to boast about his achievement that day. He said he had been in five cycling races during the last twelve months, including the recent TimaruChristchurcli eVent, in which he did no good. Cycling is his favorite sport, though he plays football in the winter. Epping, the second rider home, is a Westown (New Plymouth) man. and is 25 years of age. Describing the journey, he said he had to ride most of the way on his own owing to an incident which

occurred early in the trip. He was ridI ing behind another man, whose spare in--1 ner tube fell off and became entangled | in 'Epping’s wheel. That mishap, lie said', ; lost him quite half a mile. It was a hard race, but lie was satisfied that he had ridden his best. The road was practically all up grade to Okato, being flat then to Rahotu, after which the grade steepened again. From then on to Eltham the going was good, being on the down grade. Eltham to Waipuku was over rising ground again, and then there was a down grade home. The worst part of • the road, he considered, was the last bit l between Inglewood and New Plymouth. ; ‘T was horn on a bicycle,” said Epping, ! in explaining that this had always been his favorite sport. He had competed in : various cycling meetings previously, but i yesterday was the first time he had rid- : den in the round-the-mountain race. I A very meritorious performance was put up by Allan (Hastings), who challenged Epping in the last stage of the | journey, and was just beaten on the [ post. Allan is quite a young rider, being • 18 years of age, and to him falls the trophy for the fastest time by a rider under 21 years. He said he was with Bonis and Coleman for a fair part of the journey. During the last nine months cycling has been the sport par excellence with him. He has competed in several cycling events round about Hastings, meeting with a good measure | of success, and being only once unplaced. He competed in the cycling events at the last Waitara sports about six months ago, when he gained a. couple of seconds. Cross, the fourth man, is well-known in New Plymouth. He rode a good steady race, and annexes the trophy for the fastest Taranaki rider. A PROTEST LODGED. The prize-giving ceremony was carried out at 8.30 p.m., at 'Everybody’s Theatre. The road race committee and prize-winners assembled on the stage during a- short interval in the picture programme, when Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., distributed the prizes. In so doing. Mr. Smith expressed pleasure at the privilege. He took the opportunity to thank those who had taken part in the road race that day. He was sure those present had followed with interest the unique and important road race, and the committee was to be congratulated for reviving the event, which was probably unique in the world in that it started and finished at the same town, whilst the journey was made over what were commonly called the best roads in New Zealand. It was good for a town that such an event should be held, as it brought sports into their midst and fostered the growth of healthy sport. Presentations were then made to the first six place-fillers and to the four whiners of fastest time trophies in the various sections, it being announced that the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth prize monies were not being then awarded, pending an inquiry into a protest that had been lodged. All the prize-winners were enthusiastically received on coming forward, Moore especially receiving a very cordial ovation. Mr. Smith said Moore’s time was a record for the race. PREVIOUS WINNERS. 1911 — J. Clarke (Palmerston North), 6 hrs. 17min. 1912 T. G. Gollins (Greymouth), Ghrs. 2piin. ssec. 1913 T. J. Sheppard (Kaponga), shrs. 50min. lOsec. PREVIOUS FASTEST TIME WINNERS 1911 — J. Clarke (Palmerston North), 6 hrs. 17m in. 1912 N. Wadham (Onehunga), shrs. 54 min. 26sec. 1913 — P. O’Shea (Christchurch), shrs. 25min. Msec. It will be seen that Saturday’s times have improved considerably on those of previous years. This may be accounted for by better roads and the fact that on all three previous occasions the road race was ridden in the rain. THE OFFICIALS. Following are the names of the officials: —President, Mr. E. Whittle; vicepresidents, Messrs. L. A. Edwards. W. C. Weston, H. Weston. J. McLeod, R. Barlow, S. G. Smith, M.P., W. T. Jennings, M.P., W. Graham, A. Webster, L. A. Nolan, T. C. List; committee, Messrs. E. Andrews, J. Bennett, C. Bond, C. Christensen, P. Douglass, C. Fairbrother, P. J. Flannagan, A. George, O. George, D. George, J. Garcia, A. Hansen, J. Hawkins, M. Julian, W. Johnson, E. Jackson, 11. Moon, G. Mclsaaes. W. Roebuck, C. Roebuck, H. Rowe, C. Sadler, F. Sykes, F. Tribe, H. Townsley, J. Utiger, W. Way, R. Whale; judges, Messrs. E. Whittle and C. H. Weston; starters, Messrs. A.'Hansen and L. B. Webster; handicappers, Messrs. A. Hansen and A. Barley; timekeeper, Mr. J. Bennet; secretary, Mr. E. L. Humphries. TH'E SPORIS PROGRAMME. While waiting for the finish of the cycle race, a very interesting sports programme, consisting of motor cycle races and steeplechases, was run off on the racecourse. The motor cycle races were in charge of a committee consisting of Messrs. Douglass. Townsley, Julian and George, who got the events through expeditiously, whilst the athletic events were under the supervision of the High School masters and Mr. Stephenson. Mr. L. B. Webster acted as starter, Messrs. E. Whittle and C. H. Weston as judge?, and Mr. J. Bennett as timekeeper, all carrying out their duties ably. During the afternoon the New Plymouth Caledonian Pipe Band made its first public appearance and rendered a programme that was appreciated. Mr. Sheppard, of the Hygienic Tea Rooms, had charge of the tea kiosk. Mr. J. Blewman had the course in splendid order, the track, despite the recent heavy rains, showing little effect of the racing. Mr. E. L. Humphries, as secretary, had his department up to the moment, whilst the committee, under Mr. J. McLeod as chairman, all did their share. Detailed results: MOTOR CYCLE EVENTS. NOVICE HANDICAP, of 5 laps, any power machine. First, gold imedal; second, trophy value £3 10s. T. W. ROWE (7-9 Indian), scr 1 HUGH ROWE (3 A.8.C.), 40sec. 2 D. LOBB (4 8.5. A.), 25sec 3 Also started: L. Banks (7-9 Indian) scr., P. Dodunski (4 8.5. A.) 25sec, J. E. Crockett (3% Royal Ruby) 30sec., J. Cliff (2% Douglas) 50sec. In the second lap, Crockett overhauled Cliff, who pulled out, Hugh Rowe running into second position. There was little alteration until the fourth lap, where T. W. Rowje, who had been making up ground fast, took the I lead, and, going on, won comfortably by about 300 yards, with L. Banks a similar distance away third, and D. Lobb fourth. Crockett pulled out in the third round. Time, 7min. 16 sec. OPEN HANDICAP, of five laps, 4 h.p. mach- . ines and under. First, gold medal; second, trophy value £3 10s. HUGH ROWE (3 A.8.C.), I'sec 1 P. DODUNSKI (-1 8.5. A.), 20sec. ...... 2 Also started: F. Smith (3% Triumph) ssec., and J. Cliff (2% Douglas) 25secs. F. Smith was unable to set going. H. Bowe

went to the front, and was never headed, win- , ning comfortably from P. Dodunski, who was the only other to finish. Time, 7min. 19see. OPE'N HANDICAP, of 6 laps, 5-6 h.p. and over. First prize trophy valued £5; second trophy value £3. J. T. BUTLER (8 Reading Standard), 15sec. 1 T. W. ROWE (7-9 Indian), 25sec 2 P. DODUNSKI (4 8.5. A.), 50sec 3 Also started: L. Banks (7-9 Indian) 25sec., D. Lobb (4 8.5. A.) 30sec, Hugh Rowe (3 A.8.C.) 30scc„ and Harold Rowe (3 A.8.C.) 40sec. J. T. Butler went to the lead in the third lap, and won comfortably by 300 yards from T. W. Rowe, who beat Dodunski for second position in the lasi lap. Time, Smin. 19sec. ATHLETIC EVENTS. HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' JUNIOR STEEPLECHASE, boys under 15: Godfrey (lOsec.) 1, D. Robertson (scr.) 2, Sutherland (scr.) 3, Anthony (26sec.) 4. About 29 started. This provided a good finish. Godfrey and Robertson took the last obstacle together, but the former proved too fast over the concluding bit, and won by three or four yards. HIGH SCHOOL BOYS’ SENIOR STEEPLECHASE': Brewster (ssec.) 1, Brown (lOsec.) 2, Mackay (ssec.) 3, Mason (15sec.) 4. Twentyone started. Brown and Mackay put in a strong challenge, but failed to get within four yards of Brewster, who ran strongly. TERRITORIAL AND SCOUTS’ STEEPLECHASE: E. H. ’White 1, P. R. Kidd 2, J. Robinson 3. About 15 entered. Won with a little to spare,