CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 96, 24 April 1928, Page 17

CYCLING.

THE CASH RIDERS.

ROAD RACING THIS WEEK

Next Saturday the Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club will open the professional road racing season of 1928 at Mangere, with a 14-mile open handicap event. The club intends to carry on this season's races very much on the lines of last. The shorter races up to fourteen miles will be held at Mangere, and the longer distances on out-and-home courses. Saturday's event will see a full muster of old and new riders, and as there is every possibility of two longdistance events being decided during the season—both with big money attached— riders should provide a big muster on Saturday. The race is timed to start sharp at 2.30 p.m.

The Te Aroha Athletic and Cycling Club have impounded the whole of the cycling events' prise money, and are asking several riders—some top-notchers— to show cause why they should not be dealt with under certain rules. In conversation with one of the leading riders who rode at this meeting, I was informed that the trouble was caused principally by the lap scorers failing to correctly check the laps. This left some riders in a dilemma, and the result was they became argumentive with the officials. It is most unfortunate that this unpleasantness should have occurred, as this old-established club has always treated cash cyclists particularly well. The committee met on Monday evening to discuss the whole matter.

Casli riders are reminded that there are two fine challenge trophies to be won this year. Both were presented to the club by Mr. Tom Partington, Onehunga, and are for the two riders who score the greatest number of points in all road races held by the club during the road racing season. The first prize is the Pardiligton Silver Cup and the second is the Partington Shield. The former is held by A. "Putty" White, while the latter is held by' H. Pelham.

Gerry Jdathieson, though severing his connection with the actual riding of a bicycle in road races, still intends to take an active interest in the sport of road racing. He has been appointed referee at all the Auckland Club's road racing fixtures, and is the right man in the right place. He also has promised that later in the season, when he sees how the road racing takes on, that he will give the club a fine trophy for a road race, which will be open to all cash riders. It is pleasing to see a rider like Mathieson taking such a practical interest in the sport of cash cycling. It is to be hoped others will do likewise.

Amateur riders who have turned in their lot with the cash riders have in many cases made good, but J. R. I'Anson, Christchurch, seems to have improved remarkably since his turning over. Recently at the Sefton Cycling Club's sports meeting he beat a first-class field of Canterbury riders in very decisive fashion in the big event of the day, the Sept on Wheel Race. I'Anson has been in the money regularly since turning pro., but judging by his recent performances. he will be amongst the championship medals very soon.