CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 134, 8 June 1926, Page 9

CYCLING.

(By SPEEDY.) COMING EVENTS. June 12.. —15-mile Professional Road Race, Mangere. June 19.—15-mile Amateur Road Race, Mangere L June 1i6.—10-milo Amateur Road Race, Mangere. July 3.—10-mile Amateur Road Race, Mangere. July 10.—10-mile Amateur Road Race, Mangere (benefit.) "Speedy" is pleased to learn that the notes which have been inserted in Che ".star" during the last few weeks have been of value to the cycling fraternity. He would be glad of any news from riders and others bearing on cycling matters. SATURDAY'S ROAD RACE. About 20 riders competed in the 20----mile amateur road race held at Otahuhu by the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club on Saturday last. The racing conditions were all that could be desired. The ranks of the back-markers were somewhat depleted by the absence of Bill Bray, Frank Casey, E. J. Orr, Con. Gainsborough and Ken Rowe. K. Mathieson (3|m) was forced to retire early in the race owing to chain trouble, and W. McCallum (7m) came to gTief on a corner. This rider also met with disaster in the road race a week previous. Blakeway (scr.) punctured when about seven miles had been covered, but with a couple of applications of a bike pump was able to finish. Nevertheless, the time lost in this way, and the fact that he had to ride unpaced throughout, precluded any possibility wf his annexing fastest time. D. C. Stewart (lm), who rode so brilliantly in the novice event a week previously, when he secured first place and fastest time in that event, met with a mishap about halfway through the race. It is understood Stewart will not be competing again in Auckland.

A rider off the. "Jni mark (C. A. Clarke) proved the victor. This is Clarke's second success in road events this season. Although the rider in question was treated to a liberal handicap, there is no doubt he rode creditably and deserved to win. His success may be attributed to steady training and experience. Clarke should be amongst the middle markers in the next road race.

A comparatively new rider, W. G. Jeeves, rode off the 7m mark, securing second place, and the fact that Clarke was hard pressed to keep this lad at bay augurs well for Jeeves' future success at cycling. It will be noted that the rider under notice gave the winner los start.

Ted Boucher was against amongst the placed men; he rode off the 7m mark with Jeeves and others, and was beaten by a very narrow margin only. Boucher's riding in recent races has been creditable, and the writer will not be surprised if this lad holds his own with the more experienced cyclists in the coming road races. He lacked sprinting power on Saturda3'.

Tom Faithfull was very nearly placed on Saturday. Riding off the 4min mark, Tom quickly made up ground, and deserved a placing. His performance on this occasion is his best to date this season. Faithfull's time was fourth fastest.

The outstanding performance of the day was that of Les Wilson, who won fastest time prize (58m). Les made full use of his handicap (ljm), and soon had Whitten (2m) in hand. Working well together, these two riders made up considerable leeway, and picked up Grant (3m) and Baker (3Jmin) -when 10 miles remained to be ridden. With this strong combination Wilson had a rosy chance of annexing fastest time honours, and he made no mistake about it. Les occupied the scratch mark last year, and put up some creditable performances. He is the secretary of the Manukau Club, and in that capacity posseses even more capabilities than when he is pedalling his "iron steed."

In winning second fastest time, Jerry Whitten repeated his performance in the previous open road race. He was a tower of strength to Wilson on Saturday; in fact, had it not been for a holdup due to a passing train Whitten may have annexed fastest time honours. He was in receipt of 2m start in this event, and "Speedy" is of the opinion he should be given a chance of proving his worth off the back mark.

V. A. Baker's riding on Saturday was no exception to his usual consistent performances on the road. In winning third fastest time and being placed fifth. '■Snowy" proved his worth as a back marker. With steady training Baker should hold his own with practically the best road cyclists in Auckland. AUCKLAND JOTTINGS. "W c regret to learn of the bereavement which necessitated Frank Casey's withdrawal from Saturday's race. The sympathy of all Auckland cyclists is with Frank and his parents.

At the last meeting of the Manukau Club, Messrs. J. Commons, M. P. Byrnes, and C. Gainsborough were elected" as a racing committee for the purpose of investigating protests and general matters. The club hopes the appointment of this committee will ensure the continuance of clean sport in cycle road ra-cing. A club captain and "a deputy club captain were also elected (Messrs Casey and Grant respectively). The matter of a smaller course being adopted was discussed at length, and a new course has now been decided upon. The races will now start at the Mangere Post Office. A number of riders intend gathering at Grafton Bridge at 10 a.m. on Sunday next for the purpose of becoming acquainted with the road. Spectators of future road races will be able to see the riders every five miles covered.

Preliminary arrangements for the holding of a 50 miles amateur road race were made, and everything points to such a race proving a success. A generous donation has already been made, and efforts are now being made to gather more.

The secretary 'of the newly-formed Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club (Mr. Alex. Sutherland) reports that good entries are coming to hand for the club"s fifteen mile road race over the Mangere block on Saturday. The club intends to hold a race every month during the off season, and this" should serve to keep the local cash riders in form for the big £100 road race from Hamilton to Auckland, which comes off in November. The winner of the big race will be sent to represent Auckland in the southern classic of cycledom, the Timaru-Christchurch road race. Saturday's race will start from the Mangere Bridge at 2.30 p.m.

Advice has been received that Frank Carey, the brilliant young Christchureh rider, is coming to this city to take up residence here, and the advent of a performer of his calibre should materially strengthen the ranks of the Auckland riders.