EXCITING FINISH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 July 1938, Page 7

EXCITING FINISH

BIG ROAD CYCLING RACE. ABOUT SEVENTY RIDERS COMPETE. L. Barlow, Petone, won the Wairarapa Amateur Cycling Club’s 40 mile race on Saturday after an exciting finish with twenty other riders. Barlow rode off the 10-minute mark and just beat K. Wilson, Port Nicholson,'off the 6-minute mark. About 70/riders from clubs throughout the Wellington province took part in the event, which was from Masterton' to Tauherenikau and back. Weather conditions were good and the riders made fast time over the long journey. At the turn at Tauherenikau, N. Andrews (Poneke), a 13-minute man, led from his clubmade S. Tong. A minute later came H. Laurie (Petone), who finished third, and the winner, L. Barlow, both starting off the 10-minute mark. In the same bunch were L. King (Levin) and D. Blair (Poneke). Further back came J. Wills and T. Walsh (Poneke) and B. Harman (Wairarapa), followed by I. Little (Manawatu) and another Poneke rider, F. Alexander. The scratch men turned six minutes later, the order being R. Dutton (Pon-"

eke), G. Wilson (Port Nicholson), R. Loader (Poneke), O. Disley (Port Nicholson) and G. Amey (Port Nicholson).

Six miles from home Cook (Petone) and Harman (Wairarapa) were fighting for the lead and setting a hot pace. One hour 44 minutes 33 seconds was the time of the winner, Barlow, who won by a fraction of a second from Wilson. H. Laurie (Petone), a 10-min-ute man, was third, and R. Hobbs (Manawatu), 9 minutes, was fourth.

The winner receives the Harman Cup, second man the L. J. Taylor Cup, and third the Wairarapa Amateur Cycling Club’s cup. Fastest time was returned by K. Wilson (Port Nicholson), 1.35.58, and second fastest by R. Dutton (Poneke), 1.35.58 1-5. Wilson receives the Copp gold medal and Dutton the club’s gold medal. A cup donated by Mrs Allison for the first Wairarapa rider to finish was won by R. Copp. N. Andrews (Poneke) was the first rider to turn for home. The race was capably controlled by officials of the Wairarapa Club and its success was a fitting reward for their efforts. . After the race riders and their friends werg> entertained at afternoon tea served by a ladies’ committee consisting of Mesdame Copp, J. Harman, Dooling, Graham, Doggett, Brader, Woollett, O’Donnell and Taylor. Mr L. J. Taylor, president of the club thanked the visitors for competing in the race and said that the club was a “baby” club, having been in existence only five months. However, when they commenced activities there were only four amateur cyclists in the Wairarapa. Today the club had over 20 active members (applause). He congratulated Mr O’Donnell on the excellent handicapping of the club’s first open race. The secretary (Mr C. Dykes) was also to be congratulated on his untiring efforts which resulted in the race being run off without a hitch. The club was fortunate in having such an energetic body of officials. The successful competitors were presented with their trophies by Mrs Taylor.