CASH RIDERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 151, 29 June 1927, Page 14

CASH RIDERS.

COMING BIG RACE. IS WHITE SUITABLE FOR CHRISTCHUECH ? REPLY TO ENTHUSIAST. (By "PEDAL.") The road season was advanced a further stage on Saturday with a 25mile handicap. A good field faced the starter, the only absentees being Mathison, Prior and Hills. New riders are joining up each week, and by the end of the season there should be close on 60 competitors. No doubt the big Dunlop race is enticing the new riders along, and it is pleasing to see the good spirit shown among the club members. Great credit is due to the club's handicapper, S. Oakes, who has the handicaps down to a fine art for the good racing. On Saturday the scratch men did not catch the field till a mile from home. The other officials, Messrs. Tonkin, Marriott, Knight and the genial Joe, who have carried the club from a low ebb to a very prosperous standing, deserve nothing but praise for their organising abilities. The big race of the year in Auckland is down for decision on October I. This will carry with it the North Island road championship, besides a substantial cash prize, and will be eagerly looked forward to by all noted wheelmen in New Zealand. The course from Hamilton to Auckland is easily the hardest in £ew Zealand and perhaps Australasia. rhe . Tunaru-Christchureh route, although; .the roads are not of the best, Js practHially-.flat, and lhe Mount k 3p?? nt race " like "ding on an aehI the whole JOB ?£, «•

cept for a few hills. Last year the course was ridden in -Ihrs 38min, or an average of 2-1 milea an hour. Anvone who can., average 15 miles an hour from Hamilton has the race in his kit.

"Putty" White is riding at the top of his form at present, having won the last two events from scratch. Hia time on Saturday was lhr 3imin for the 25 miles. This will take a little beating. A welcome reappearance in Auckland is Slater Hayes; he is not yet in form, but was only headed off by White in the last few yard?. Saturday's hard race will do him the world of good. Henderson was iOyds back, a good third. "Hendie," although a good hard rider who always does the '''lion's" ?hare of the pacing, would often do better if he let his co-markers do a little of the hard work, as he will always find riders quite content to sit on and lick him when near the line. The Pelham brothers rode well on Saturday. There does not appear to be much between them. Riekman. Lownes and Rae found the distance too far and retired. Dave Storey finished fourth, just being beaten by inches for third place by Henderson. Ken Rae also started after his recent illness, but was not near his usual form.

'"Pedal" would like to draw attention to an article in Friday's "Star" by '"Cycling Enthusiast" concerning sending White to Christchureh. Although "Pedal" fully appreciates White's ability a3 shown in the last two races, it must be borne in mind that the=e races are held on the best of roads with practically no hills, and that there is a vast differ ence riding under these conditions and being paced by riders all along the course, to the conditions govering the big Christchurch event. Another factor in the case is: Who would pay his expense s? The Northern Athletic Union, under whose control cycling jg run in Auckland,

aro not in such a big financial -way to undertake this, and the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union have never come forward or offered to help the sport in this city. Furthermore, White has not yet proved himself a good distance rider. Before he could represent Auckland he would have to beat such men as Harcourt, Henderson, S. Hayes, Taylor, M. Hayes, all of these having been placed in "the two 100 miles events held here last season.

Cycling is booming In Wellington. They are at present busy constructing a broad track. The building is bein<* constructed by the Winter Show authorfties, and the track will be absolutely covered in, and about six laps to the mile. It will be the first board track in >iew Zealand, and hopes are held out of having it finished by the end of September. It is situated close to the Basin Reserve, and, therefore, handy to the city. Faint hopes are held "out that our local stadium will get going this year, and with such well-known sports behind it as Messrs. A. Menzies T Pardington, E. V. Sutherland, W. Coldiputt, and G. McMillan it is hoped they will get busy and open the track early in the season. Jim Crombie, who will manage it, is at present in Christchurch, but expects to return here shortly. He knows the cycling game backwards, and is well liked by everybody. The Auckland Cycle Club are holding a 14-mile event next week over the usual course.