CYCLING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3009, 5 October 1908, Page 5

CYCLING.

WARRNAMBOOL TO MELBOURNE ROAD RACE.

Received October 4, 4.30 p.m. MELBOURNE, October 4. The weather was favourable for the Dunlop Wacrnambool to M.elbourne road race yesterday. Donohue, of New South Wales, was first; Rennie {Victoria), second; and Sargent (Victoria), third. Three hundred and four competitors started. There were several accidents but none of a very serious character. Donohue'a time was 8 hours 38 seconds. The Australasian Road Championship was won by Chappall (Victoria), who started from scratch, and occupied 7 hours 46 min. 27aecs.

A record entry was received for the Dunlop road rqce from Warrnambool to Melbourne (165 miles). The history of this Australian long distance road event has been .one record of big successes, each year's race attracting more entrants, more starters, and more finishers. That the event is popular is apparent by the nominations, this year's Jist clos- ' ing with over 420 entries, as against 347 last year. All the States and New Zealand were represented. The race was first run in 1895, but was abandoned in 18.99 and 1900, after which the Dunlop Company took it ,ever and remodelled the conditions, under which the event has raaade gigantic strides. The first prize shas ocly twice gone out of Victoria, ihe aceasion being J. Artist's great victory from scratch in 1903, and Do&o----hue's win on Satoday. However, in-ter-State riders have generally ren- | dered .a good account oi: themselves, [ and on five occasions the Blue Riband for fa&test time, carrying with it the title of Australasian road champion, has been won by other than Victorian riders, New Zealand carrying oil! the coveted Blue Riband three, times, and New South Wales twice.