ROAD CYCLING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 June 1940, Page 3

ROAD CYCLING

WAIRARAPA CLUB TWENTY-FIVE MILE RACE WON BY K. WOOLLETT. The Wairarapa Cycling Club held a road race on Saturday from Masterton to Greytown and back, a distance of 25 miles. The result was as follow: —K. Woollett, scr, (time 66.54). 1: J. Heaven, handicap 2.30 (69.25), 2; G. Simpson. 2 min (71.36), 3. The race was marred somewhat by a crash which involved three of the riders about 3 miles from home. There were five starters, N. Norris being the first away, riding with a handicap of three minutes. He was followed half a minute later by J. Heaven. 30secs later by G. Simpson, lmin later by D. Birnie and lmin later by K. Woollett. Norris, Simpson and Heaven were bunched at- the turn,. Birnie and Woollett turning about 20secs later. These two caught the leaders just before coming into Carterton. The riders stayed bunched until about three miles from home. At this point K. Woollett had just taken the pace from. Heaven and was followed by D. Birnie, N. Norris and G. Simpson in that order. While adjusting himself to the new pace Birnie struck a small rock and losing control of his machine crashed heavily. Norris and Simpson also crashed, but were able to finish the race, while Heaven rode clear. Woollett and Heaven fought out a close finish, the former rider prevailing, while Simpson narrowly defeated Norris in the sprint home a minute or so later. Fastest time honours went to Woollett. Heaven and Simpson in that order. Fellow riders wish Don Birnie a speedy recovery from his injuries and hope to see him out again shortly.