CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 32, 8 February 1928, Page 16

CYCLING.

THE AMATEUR RIDERS.

SOME COMING EVENTS,

VISIT OF CRACK AUSTRALIANS.

(By "WHEELMAN.")

Subject to permission being received from the Blandford Park Stadium Co., the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club will hold a one and a two mile open handicap at Blandford Park on Saturday afternoon. The club intends to give its racing members a tryout on the six-lap track at the Stadium, and if suitable will stage other events there.

The jubilee meeting of the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club will be held on Saturday, February 2;>, at the Auckland Cricket Ground. The programme to be submitted is a remarkably fine one, comprising in all 23 events, besides novelty events, athletic display i / ladies, and dancing. The cycling events on the programme are one mile novice; half, one, and two mile open handicap events; and a "De'il tak' tli' hin'maist" scratch race. The winner of each race will receive a jubilee cup, and points cups for runners, cyclists, and field games exponents will be given as special prizes. As this is the jubilee of probably the oldest amateur club in the Dominion, the committee, in deciding to give jubilee cups to all winners, hit iTpon a happy idea.

Amateur riders are in for a busy time shortly. This week-end will see two events decided at Blandford Park, the following Wednesday the Manukau Club propose to put on two races at the Domain, while on the Saturday following the jubilee meeting of the Auckland Amateur Club will he held. Almost on top of these meetings comes the proposed visit of the two Australian fliers, J. Standen and D. Gray.

Amateur riders complain strongly about not being allowed to train on the Domain. Surely it would be possible to allow riders on twice weekly, in view of the approaching meetings. It not only would give them a good chance of getting into form, but what is of more importance, it would get them used to the track.

J. Standen and D. Gray, the two New South Wales amateur riders who are touring the Dominion, in the interests of amateur cycling, are likely to go through the tour without a defeat, particularly ill scratch races. So far they are enjoying an uninterrupted run of success. In handicaps and in scratch events they work together, and to any one that knows the sport of cycle racing they must know that two good riders teaming are an almost impossible combination to beat. What attitude the officials of the Amateur Athletic Association are going to take in this matter is being awaited with interest in certain circles.

In conversation with the Paeroa Athletic Club's officials, "Wheelman" learned that there was a chance of amateur events being applied for for the club's next season's programme. They pointed out that a mixed programme would cater for the class of country rider who does not want to compete with professionals. This should meet with the approval of the Auckland Centre, who are so far not represented there, and also of riders, who would then have a first-class meeting to look forward to every year.

F. J. Grose, the New Zealand champion amateur, was again beaten by T. Oakley (Masterton) at Wellington last Saturday. Oakley led Grose home in the mile handicap, and in the three mile event finished first, with Grose out of a place. Oakley has evidently got into his best form, as he defeated Grose at Masterton last month. It was rumoured that the Masterton flier intended to give up cycling some two months back, but at the present time there is no sign of that taking place. It will be interesting to see how Oakley fares when he meets the two Australians, Standen and Gray.