CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 226, 23 September 1936, Page 19

CYCLING.

WITH THE AMATEURS

MANUKAU CLUB'S COTTER CUP.

Popularly regarded as a back-marker's race, the eleventh annual for the Cotter Cup proved definitely otherwise. Jim McLaren, old-timer who raced in 1929, furnished the proof when he won from the short limit of 4.30. There was a distinct all-round improvement, which has characterised the riding since the newer and less monotonous course was adopted. Jim's improvement was the most marked, so he won. Keith Clark's second place was a sterling effort, and with the support of such good fellows as Len Beuth and Stewart Baird he was able to clock 45.20, third fastest. Geo. Harrison also performed better. Ron Triner unshipped his chain just when a delay was dangerous, for Johnnie Brown had temporarily got away. However, Lionel Nicholson chased and recaught "Brown, and the pair finished together, with Brown the faster sprinter, liown clocked 45.0, to take fastest time for the third occasion this year. Discarding his gears for the short junior race of 10 2-5 miles, Geo. Grigg used a 79 free to win the President's Cup after an extremely strenuous sprint with Crawford and Caddy. George was delighted with his win after experiencing so much mechanical trouble in previous races. There was a close contest between Ron. Wilson and Charlie Picknell for time. Wilson won, but liis 30.42 was only 13s better. Xext Saturday's championship is the sixth over the 44-mile course. Previous winners are: Chas. Clarke, 1930 and 1934; Allan Robinson, 1931; Joe Gillbanks, 1932; Ernie Andrews, 1933; and Ray Whitley last year. The event always carries a good trophy list, which is even better this year. The first seven to finish, the three fastest, the first junior unplaced, and the fastest junior, will receive a prize. The result should give a fair indication of how the members will fare in the 100-mdler. Thirty have entered for the 100-miler, and if the other clubs pull their weight as well a record entry should result for the race which is scheduled for Saturday week. There are over ten visiting riders this year, and the secretary would like to know if any member will be willing to billet any of the visitors. If any old members motoring through on the day care to help at the Te Kauwhata feeding station their assistance will be welcome. The ladies will be kindly providing refreshments for members and visiting riders at the finish. The race starts at 9.30 a.m., and riders unacquainted with the finishing point are asked to report at the starting point at 9.15 a.m., when they will be shown the exact point. The confusion of previous seasons will thus be avoided. PAPATOETOE CLUB. The main event at Papatoetoe on Saturday was the 21-mile senior championship. Brilliant young Ray Beehre celebrated a twentieth birthday by a great ride, to wrest the title from the former champion Cochrane by 225, and there is similarity in their wins. Like Cochrane's ride of last year, this is the first time Beehre has gained fastest time. To some it may •have been a surprise, but to those who have been watching young Ray, and noticing his riding, it was not unexpected. He rode £ three-speed for the first time. Time, 57.42. Charlie Cochrane suffered his first straight-out defeat of the season. He has previously only been beaten by team work or sprinting. He is a superb rider. Stjll all will be watching to see if he can win the Papatoetoe-Pokeno and return championship next week. Time, 58.4. Norm. Wardell was fastest single-gear rider, taking 58.36, third fastest time. These first three finished within less than a minute of each other; in fact the club is now stronger than it has been throughout the season. The onlycother to clock within-the hour , was R.--o-'Waterman,'though lan Vcfct (60.43), Clarrie "Bubs" Allan (60.47), and the junior crack Fred Glendinning (60.57) were not far out. The ex-junior Noel Gamble disappointed, with 63.14. Lan Vost made his best ride of the season, when he clocked 60.43, and with his liberal time allowance of 5.30 (limit) romped in for fii'st handicap place and the Alexander Cup, which was given last year by an old co-marker of his, R. Alexander. Ray Beehre was second, and the solid W. Ferguson third. When- Peter Knight won the junior race of eight miles it was his second successive win. He rode strongly from the 4.0 mark, and sprinted well to head a bunch of four. Like Des, lie is very tall; 14 years old, yet requiring a 23% in frame. Don Arvidson (3.30) has been very successful this season, and again finished well in second place. C. Brennan must win soon. A good sport, he rides very consistently, and is unlucky to lack in the finishing sprint. . There was a good sprint between the scratch boys for fastest time. Dee. Knight was again too good, beating Jim Middleton by a small margin. • If George Eyre had had the company of Noel Noonan there might have been a different story, for George, riding unpaced, was only one second slower than the back men. Alan Vost rode strongly, and finished in fourth place. He has all the solidity of brother lan. and is a good stayer. Next week's senior race is the Papa-toetoe-Pokeno championship event. It is sure to attract a fair number of starters, for it has distance and incorporates the winning stretch of the "100," the deviation. Charlie Cochrane holds the record for the course, in 2h ,0m 455. The following week the "100". will be raced The annual general meeting will be held in the papatoetoe Town Hall on Tuesday evening.