ROAD CYCLING.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1926, Page 6

ROAD CYCLING.

■ NEXT WEEK'S RACES. I THE PROSPECTS DISCUSSED. I (By “Wheel.”) The road season will be practically finished next Saturday. On November 18 a hundred mile cycle race from Hamilton to Auckland will be decided* New Plymouth will be represented by C. Heliier, W. Brewster and A. Putt, and they seem certain to give a good account of themselves. On November 20 a 25 mile race will be decided .at Wanganui, for the North Island 25 mile road championship, as well as the junior road championship. New Plymouth riders nominated are: R. Johnstone, R. Yardley, N. Bellringer, E Knofflock, C. Aroa, C. Tippens, and kcal enthusiasts expect them to bring home both championships. At last Sid McCann and C. Parker have met on equal terms. McCann has r.idoubtedly come out on top by decisively defeating Parker in the two miles and three mile handicaps, and also the two mile scratch race at the Labour Day sports. McCann showed a wonderful burst of speed in the last laps of the wheel race and scratch raee.

The feature of the postponed Labour Day sports last Saturday was the absence of spills, which often occur, the principal reason for this being the fact that the majority of the riders were local and could manage the track pretty well.

Negotiations are at present in hand to have the elay track at Park considerably improved. This is badly needed and with a good track there the park’s future prospects should be bright.

Alec. Gable is a good rider, but persists in losing winning chances by doing much more than his share of the pacemaking in all his '■races. Every rider . ' expected to do his share at pacemaking. but to overdo it is fatal to a winning chance for the majority of riders.

The surprise of the Labour Day sports was R. Johnstone’s win in the two mile scratch race. It was a well-merited win and was a case of a little more brains than brawn. Parker and McCann were both a little afraid of each other, and dwelt in the race instead of riding hard. Meanwhile Johns! nc -gained a hundred

yard lead and at the finish McCann could not quite catch John.<one, who led for the last five laps and won by half a kngth. Johnstone may have won mor® easily but the race was run one lap too many. W. Brewster showed great improvement and his finishing effort in the three mile event was his best to date. If he goes on improving like this he is going to be McCann’s most serious rival. C. Hellier will win races on the track when a little more experienced, as be has a very solitl finishing effort, which counts for everything. H. Blackwell, the mountain race winner from Kaponga, rode bis first track races- last Saturday. He was on halflimits, and though he did not llnish in the money he will be heard of with a little more track experience. He rode well, and showed great heart in sticking to his co-markcrs as he did. An innovation for the New Plymouth I eague Cycle Club will be a “club run” <r Sunday. November 28. All members of the club, honorary and active, and any friends are asked to join in a club nn to the Waitoitoi beach, a distance of about 26 miles along the coa t. They will leave New Plymouth on their cycles about 8.30 a.m and ride steadily together to Waitoitoi. where a picnic, swimming, sports, etc., will occupy the day’s fun, and all will ride home together again v rundown. Through a slight injury to his elbow S will not be able to coinpetr in the Hamilton-Auckland road race nexi Thursday. KAPONGA CLUB RACE. The Kaponga Cycle Club held another road race on Saturday over a 30-mill course. The weather was far from favourable, the riders experiencing a very heavy head and side wind for a good part of the journey. The following is the result:E. Lines ( —), 48min. 25sec 1 J. Blackwell (sen), 45min. 20sec. .... 2 H. Bocoek (scr.). 45min. 2<Hsec. ....- 2 Black well also" secured fastest time.