ROAD CYCLING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 June 1938, Page 2

ROAD CYCLING

WAIRARAPA CLUB’S ACTIVITIES. (Notes by “Sprocket.”) J. Duckett off 2min was the winner of Saturday’s 14 mile race. He has been riding consistently and deserved his win. J. Brader (Imin) was again in a place, finishing second. He also recorded the fastest time and this was a very fine effort. If he keeps on improving he will soon be back on the scratch mark.

R. Copp was Brader’s co-marker and finished third, securing the second fastest time. He is riding very well and should now concentrate on sprinting.

Seven of the local riders took part in the Manawatu Amateur Cycling Club’s 38 miles event on the King’s Birthday and made a very fine showing against a high class field of 64 riders. R. Copp (9min) rode a brilliant race to secure third place. He is to be congratulated on his very fine effort. It is a pity he lacks that finishing sprint. However, with a bit more experience and practice he should overcome that handicap. More should be heard of this lad in the future as he has years of cycling ahead of him. J. Duckett, off 7min, gave another very fine performance to finish in a handy position. He was up against strong opposition on the 7min mark and he finished with his bunch in about 9th place. This was really a very fine effort for a first-year rider. E. Lefort, off 12min, rode a fine race, being with the leaders until about 10 miles from home. He found the going a bit too tough. He made a fine effort and finished in a handy position. With a bit more training he will do well in later events.

M. Graham (9min) was also in a handy position and rode a good race. He is the youngest rider in the club and has years of cycling ahead of him. More, should be heard of him in the future.

B. Harman (Bmin) was going well but was unfortunate in having chain trouble about nine miles out. A. Morris (lOmiri) was dropped early and if he was to try riding with his saddle lower he would find it a big improvement.

C. Dykes was up against classy opposition on the smin mark and found the going too fast, being dropped after about 12 miles. However, he completed the course and would have been in a handy position had he had 2 or 3 minutes more handicap.

The local riders must be congratulated on their fine performance, and by the end of the road racing season Wairarapa should be well on the map with such riders as R. Copp, J. Duckett, K. .Woollett and J. Brader, who are all first-season riders and are improving fast with every race.

The prospects look bright and the season should prove a very interesting and ■ successful one.