CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 302, 21 December 1926, Page 14

CYCLING.

(By SPEEDY.) COMING EVENTS. Boxing Day.—Amateur Track Events, Levin. Boxing Day.—Amateur Track Events, Petone. Boxing Day.—Amateur Track Events, Kaiteratahi (Gisborne)., New Year's Day.—Amateur Track Events, Whatawhata. Kose, Oainsborough and HRowc were the deserving winners of the amateur track events at the Domain on Saturday. All three riders registered outstanding performances, and should be heard of again in the near future. The field in the one-mil© junior was bunched at the bell, and Wade, who was riding in a good position, appeared the likely winner. At the entrance to the straight Rose unwound a lightning sprint, and was never headed. The winner rede the headiest race to date, and with a little more of the steady training he has been undergoing, should be amongst the best of the amateurs. His win on Saturday will probably give him tiie necessary stimulus to continue steady training. 'Wade and' Foubister filled the minor places, and both these riders show promise of winning a race again shortly. Off 8.1 ya,r.ds.;- : Jv; emergediwin-, ncr of the mfjTe senior, his ride being an effort above the average. HRowe rode strongly from the gun, and held his lead throughout. Rowe has been due a -win for some considerable time, and his success on this occasion was popular. Mathieson (50yds) and Galbraith (25yds) were the other placed men. Mathieson sprinted with dash at times on Saturday, and he was unfortunate in striking such a strong rider as Roue in the mile. Galbraith could not head off Mathieson, although he rode up to his usual standard throughout the day. The onlookers were brought to their feet when Gainsborough, Galbraith, Rowc, Mathieson and Casey entered the straight for the last, time in the twomile handicap. The whole race was interesting, Casey (virtual scratch) 1 picking up the field some distance from . home. Gainsborough showed rare speed some yards from the tape, and in leading home such a sprinter as Galbraith has proved himself to be, gives the impression that he will soon be amongst the placed men again. K. Rowe again finished with the placed men. H. McElroy started off the 00yds mark in the open mile on Saturday, this being his first track race in open company! i In the juniors McElroy was easily tiie most outstanding, and even in open company he performed well, but docs not appear to he fit enough just yet. He could not fill a place in tiie final of the mile. At Kaiteratahi (Gisborne) on Boxing day, J. Douglas will occupy the scratch mark in the three amateur events to be . staged. The distances are SSOyds, one . mile and two miles. A backmarker from Auckland has been handicapped as fol- \ lows: 880 yds, scr.; one mile, 20yds; two r miles, scr. Douglas is reported to be a capable performer, who has had a : spell off the track following an accident last year. The secretary of the Levin Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, in the course of a letter to "Speedy." extends to Auckland riders an invitation to compete in that club's one mile and a-hai.' blue riband wheel race at the Levin Sports on Boxing.Day. The first prize for the event is a blue silk sash with gold clasp and gold medal. Handicap races on the programme are half, mile, two and five miles. A ten guinea bowl, to be held for one year, is the trophy for the winner of the five-mile event. The track is an asphalt one, slightly banked, and makes ; for fast riding. The meeting, commencing at 7.30 in the evening, will be held under electric light. Another large athletic gathering is to be held at Petone (Wellington) on Boxing. Day. The competitors in the cycle events will probably include Flett, Robinson, McFrederies, Cars well and other . prominent Wellinton performers, whilst an Auckland entry has been included. The first of a series of electric light sports meetings was staged at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, last week, the main event being the quarter-mile scratch race. The finalists included Robinson, McFrederies and Flett. Through Robinson falling on account of a false start he could not compete. It appeared Flett would have an easy win, but this was not the case, for McFrederies, with ordinary road wheels, gave Flett a "go" for it, and was only a length to the bad when the post was passed. The time put up by the Wellington provincial champion was 33 4-ss, off scratch, standing start. It is estimated that over 4000 people attended these sports. _ _ I