CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 88, 14 April 1927, Page 14

CYCLING.

RIDERS ON THE ROAD

MANUKAU CLUB'S ENTERPRISE. POPULAR NOVELTY PACKS. COMING EVENTS. April ](•'►- Sports nt Hamilton, April IS—Sports at Nj-'ahinepouri. April 2M—Teams Uac<\ 17 miles. Manp'rc. April .\;i>—Time Trial. miles. Manjrerv. I By. SPROCKET.) The enterprising Manukau Club may be congratulated on the holding of three successful road races last Saturday. The programme was as follows, a five and a-half mile novice race, a five and a-half mile junior race and an eleven mile senior race. This is something of an innovation, as this is the first occasion on which three races have been conducted by the club on one afternoon.

It was not expected that the above events would draw large fields, but when 24 novices signified their intention of competing, the handieapper had to step lively in allotting them their various starts. The competitors started off in three divisions. Tomlinson (40s) was all out to win by a length from Bowman (20s), with Davies (20s) and George (20s), close up third and four respectively. Fastest time fell to R. E. Wright (sen), who finished fifth with F. Grcgan (scr.), second fastest sixth. X. Pelham, who gained third fastest time, finished eighth. The winner's time was 10.31 2-os., while 10.9 was the fastest time.

E. Tolley was dispatched 2.30 ahead of the scratch trio in the junior race. Then came A. Rose (1.30), followed by Maxwell (1.15), Ching, Constable and Keane (lm), whilst 30s later G. Rose left the mark. Ching rode well throughout and had always a little in hand, to win by two and a-half lengths from G. Maxwell second, and Steen third. Fastest time was made by Steen, 16.15, the winner's time being 10.46. In the senior event, H. G. Brewin and A. J. Baird (2m) caught J. C. Stewart, 6. Faithful J. Whelan and Titchner (2.20). These riders made things merry all the way and, passing the post on the completion of the first lap, looked like winners. Galbraith (lm), was the next prominent performer, completing the. first lap incompany with Matheson and "Snowy" Baker (1.15), after having dropped-his co-marker, Gainsborough, with comparative ease a short distance from the start. Casey (30s), Wilson (455) and Gainsborough, then passed, having- lost considerably on Galbraith, who, it was evident, was so far making fastest time. The sprint for honours resulted in H. G. Brewin first, J. C. Stewart second, A. J. Baird third and C. FaithfiUl fourth. The winner's time was 32.31, the other placed men finishing l-5s behind each other, with Faithfull some little distance away, fourth. With rare brilliancy Galbraith increased his handicap from Casey and gained fastest time, 32.20, by eleven seconds from Brewin, who, in turn, was 2-5s ahead of Baird, in 32.31 2-ss. Casey, Wilspn and Gainsborough were associated in a sprint, which the first-named won, but these back-markers were hopelessly out of the picture with regard to time honours. Comments on Riders. The riding of the novices was, generally speaking, good, although six riders came to grief. The turn into Robertson Road is worse than a right-angle bend and riders not being quite sure of the way were at a loss as to direction. A rather humorous incident occurred here, one rider finding himself heading for a telegraph pole took an alternative and was seen to charge headlong for a hawthorn hedge. Scratches and bruises were the only injuries received. Clarrie Galbraith followed up his Becond fastest time of last week by annexing time honours in Saturday's senior event. This well-built lad looks every inch a cyclist, and rode like a champion throughout the race. It is mainly due to inexperience that he has not before won this distinction and, stimulated by Saturday's win, he may look forward to further successes. Brewin and Baird have shown good judgment lately, and paced together during the last road race. Their first and third places, as well as second and third fastest time, prove what can be done when two men use their heads and worn together to keep scratch men off. j

■r E. Wright and F. Grogan, who oained first and second time honours in the novice race, are two fine riders, and as this is only the second W they Save competed in a race they w IU a ittte more experience go a long Way SSS -goring the £«" iQr thci < j£*'£sh£* l « ?« i? to be mad, tj

have a special conveyance leave the city for the scene of the sports each Saturday. At times the excitement at Hie finishing line caused the onlookers to converge towards the middle of the road thus slightly marring the finishes. Official Records. Regarding this matter the Manukau Club has been a little las, and there is not one official record existing. Several excellent times have ben registered by well known local wheelmen, but these have not to date been confirmed. It is understood tliat the secretary, Mr. Les. Wilson, intends trying to get the best times recognised, but until then these cannot be held as official records.

SOUTHERN AMATEURS.

CYRIL FLETT IN FORM.

Coming away at the two hundred yards mark and out pacing all opposition. Cyrjl Flett had no difficulty in winning the 1 * mile scr race at the electric light carnival held at the Basin Reserve, Wellington. The finalists for the race were as follows:—Flett. Baker. .Morris, Carswell, Robinson and McFedries. Morris was allowed to lead for the laps, the other competitors being unwilling to relieve him. This practically put Morris out of the running, and when Carswell took the lead at the bell lap with Flett on his wheel, Morris could not stay with them. Flett moved up and won comfortably by three lengths. X. Robinson came fast from the rear of the field, but he could only get third to Carswell. Time, 2.4S •>.',. A novelty event consisting of two tandems, an ordinary cycle and a miniature bike proved to be very popular. The minature cycle was conceded almost a lap start, and there was considerable excitement when he went past the stand pedalling fast, but not showing much speed. The two tandems also received a handicap, and although they made full use of it. Flett, on the solo machine, caught them with half a lap to go. He won fairly easily, the tandems having a real good go for second. Events of this description should prove very attractive to the Auckland public, and efforts should be made to have them promoted. Another electric light gathering wa-j held at Cooks Gardens, Wanganui, when Crose (Canterbury) and lan Ross (local) had three classic encounters. Frang Grose won the half mile from scr, with Ross scr second, and Adam«on 30yds third. Time. (11 !-.">. The mile and a-half scr race carried prizes for the winner of each lap. Cave won the majority of lap points, l, n t in the final circuit Grose jumped in the back stretch and opened up a gap. which, despite a brilliant effort over i]\o last ">ovds, Ross was unable to reduce. Wakeley rode well to finish, a length behind Ross third. Time. 3.30. A limit of 400yd< was set the scr men in the two mile handicap. Ross and Those (scr) took speedy half laps and eatiglit the leaders wHh half-a-lap to go. Ross jumped first, and with Grose rode as one to the line, the judges givine their decision in favour of Grose. Adamson 00yds was third. Grose afterwards said that he thought Ross had won, but the original verdict was adhered to. The time, 4.30 1-5. give* an indication of the speed champions can accomplish on. tis track.