CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 158, 6 July 1926, Page 9

CYCLING.

•(By "SPEEDY.";

COMING FIXTURES: July 10.—Eleven-mile amateur road race, Mengerp. July professional road race, Mangere. July 17.—Fire ahd a-half-mile junior amateur road race, Manptrr. July 17.'—Seventeen-mlio amateur road race, Mango re. July 24.—Twonty-two-mile amateur road raw, Mangere. September 4.—Fifty-milo amateur road race, Mangere. September 11. —Pulai«?rs ton North-Fetone amntpur road rape (about 100 miles). September IS. —Rangiora fitty-mlle road race (professional). Canterbury. October 2.—Timaru-Christehureh, 112-mile road race. Octob»r r>—Warrnanibool-Melbourne and Colas-Melbourne road races. \ numlxT of interested spectators witnessed the 11-mile amateur road race at Mangere last .Saturday afternoon. Apart from the report of this event, contained in Saturday night's "Star," little can be said regarding the event. In winning. J. Whelan (the limit rider) showed his ability as a rider. This was his initial appearance in road competition, and his performance suggests future success on the road. Whelan is IS years of age. The fart that he won the race on a borrowed machine increases the credit due to him. Los. Wilson rode his usual consistent race. Off the 45s mark, Les. led home a field of about 10 riders, and secured second place, and third fastest time. Despite this rider's consistent performances, including a fastest time, on the road this season, he has been given a place on the scratch mark on one occasion only this year. The writer is of opinion he should be given another opportunity of proving his worth off the back mark. His time was only o= slower than Casov's.

Tom Faithfull (aUo off the 45s mark), rode his last race in Auckland, and marked the occasion by finishing third. The sprint between Wilson and Faithfull >va= one of the most exciting this season, the difference when the line was crossed being inches only. Faithfull also won fourth fastest time, for the third time in succession.

D. Stewart. K. Mathieson and A. C. Newth finished up close behind the placeu riders. Xonc of these three riders competed in the last road race (17 miles).

V. Baker and TV. T. Bray were in receipt of a handicap of 15s, and Casey and Blakeway made up the leeway early in the race. Grant had by this time been caught by Baker and Bray, and these five riders were together when the first lap had been covered. Baker was left behind with three miles to go, and thereafter the back markers gained much ground on che remainder of the field. In a close finish, Casey gained the over Blakeway, with Bray and Grant in immediate attendance.

Owing to a slight mishap to his bicycle Baker was forced to ride on a borrowed' machine, which was distinctly to his disIn any ease, he was handicapped oil too difficult a mark. This rider has shown marked improvement in road events this s:ason, and in the last race was only Is slower than the fastest time winper -(W. T. Bray). Baker has figured prominently in practically every race this year. .

Depite the fact that Casey, has proved victorious over Blakeway on more than one occasion, the latter is still being handicapped on the scratch mark. Perhaps, however, he will be in receipt o£ a handicap in the next road race (11 mileg, .Saturday next). -

A ritler who should be given an opportunity of showing his worth off the scratch mark is W. T. Bray, who secured fastest ti-rae honours recently. Bray has improved considerably during the" last twelve months, and during that time has been amongst the winners on the track a fair number of times. He was unfortunate in being placed on the 15 second mark on Saturday last, as this mark practically made him pacemaker for the scratch markers.

O. Mathieson. who was unfortunate enough lo fall in the last professional race, wa s able to rids out to Mangrre to witness the amateur race on Saturday. Mathieson sustained injuries to his leg. necessitating attention at the hospital, and two days' absence from his work. It will probably be a week or so before this rider can compete again. It is understood a 40-mile event will be staged by the Auckland professionals next Saturday -week. This race should tend to prepare the majority of intending competitors in the lOd-mile race from Hamilton to Auckland shortly to be held. Hayes, Hills and Storey should ride well in this event.

The Manukau Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club is losing the services of its energetic assistant secretary and treasurer (Mr. Tom Faithful), due to his removal to Wellington. Tom was amongst the originators of the clvi. and hns always given his best in its interests. The Manukau Club's loss will be Wellington's gain. Mr. C. Gainsborough has been elected to the \acancv.

The annual meeting of the Manuk.iu Club is being held at the Auckland Domain on Sunday next at 10 a.m. The amateur riders are very enthusiastic this

Endeavour is being made to have the coming 30-mile amateur road race classed as a championship event for the Auckland Province. The Christchurch Club staged a 50-mile championship a coupip of years ago. and it drew a field of over 7<l riders. Last year the event was apain held, when 132 riders out of 13.S entries faced the starter, over 50 of these winning a certificate for completing the cour»e in le«s than three hours.

Everything i- well in hand for the !7-n-.i!>' roail race to lie held next JyUurday at Mangere, starting at 2.30 p.m. That cycling is growing in popularity in Auckland is proved by the loner y ine o f private cars that are drawn up at the start each race day. and last week the officials (Messrs. Moo. Marriott. Copas. Po-.vell and Browning) had a difficult job in keeping t'ue crowd back. That popular little rider. Teddy Bowes, rode well in the last event, and should soon be in ihe money. Jcriy Mathieson is about again after his spill, and should soon be in rrood nick a gram. Rill Hills did not ride up to his us-.ia! form. The short distance is no (rood to Bill. The lonsrer and harder the ra c the bettor he like? it. •J. Adiam"j name figures amoin.-t the starters for ne\-t week, and also Putty White, who rode with success at the recent Blandford Park carnivais. Ciders in future should form th° habit of being on time.co that punctual starts wiii be possible in race.-. It might he a good idea for the Auckland Centre to send a representative direct to Australia for the big Melbourne to Warrnambool race, instead of goin; to the of .-rrrlin:: a man down to the South Teland for the Ti-i-aru to Christchiirch road race. The h\z Victorian event is the blue riband of cy-'lin-j in Australasia, and it would ' f a «plr>ndi.l thine if Auckland wore d!re-. , ti\ represented.