ROAD CYCLING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 July 1939, Page 9

ROAD CYCLING

FORTY MILE RACE. WON BY PALMERSTON RIDER. Palmerston North and Wairarapa riders scooped the prize pool on Saturday when the Wairarapa Amateur Cycling Club held its annual 40-mile road fixture. The 46 competitors, re-j presenting Port Nicholson, Poneke., Petone, Palmerston North, Foxton, Dannevirke and Wairarapa clubs, were faced with bitterly cold weather conditions, heavy rain falling throughout most of the journey making riding very unpleasant. The outstanding feature of the race as' far as the local club was concerned, was the brilliant performance of K. Woollett in securing third fastest time for the course as well as being second man home, just being beaten in the sprint by D. McNab, of Palmerston North, the latter securing time honours off the 3 minutes mark. Second fastest time went to H. Donovan, also of Palmerston North, off the 3 minute mark. The scratch riders, R. Dutton, G. Arney, J. Wilson, of Wellington, and R. Loader, of Palmerston North, failed to make any impression on the field, missing time by some four minutes. The limit riders were sent away at 2.20 p.m.. and the scratch riders twelve minutes later. On the outward journey the riders were fighting into a strong south-westerly gale which, together with the heavy rain, slowed the field considerably. McNab and Donovan on 3 minutes left their co-markers and caught practically all the middle and limit markers before Tauherenikau (the turning point). Here there was a bunch of some fifteen riders which was broken up by several riders making a fast turn and with the following wind were soon averaging 35 m.p.h. These riders were McNab. Donovan. Essex. Copp, Woollett, Kent and Walsh. The scratch riders had gained nothing on the field at the turn. Maintaining a fast pace the former riders caught Campbell and Goodin, oil' 7 minutes Graham (9 minutes), and Dooling and Fish, off 10 minutes. About seven miles from home McNab and Woollett made a fast break and succeeded in maintaining their lead to fill first and second places respectively. Dooling sprinted Fish in to secure 3rd place, while at various intervals came Donovan, Goodin, Campbell. Kent, Graham, Walsh. Dutton, Loader and Amery. Detailed results. —D. McNab (Palmerston North, 3min) 1; K. Woollett i Wairarapa, smin) 2nd; B. Dooling (Wairarapa, lOmin) 3; A. Fish (Palmerston North. lOmin) 4th; H. Donovan (Palmerston North, 3min) sth; G. Goodin (Wairarapa. 7min) 6th, Fastest time honours. —D. McNab (3min) lhr'44min 46sec. Ist: H. Donovan (3min). Ihr 46min llsoc. 2nd; K. Woollett (smin) Ihr 46min 46 2-ssec. 3rd; R. Dutton (scr) Ihr 48min 29sec, 4th.