CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 119, 22 May 1928, Page 14

CYCLING.

THE CASH RIDERS. MATHLESUN'S SUCCESS. HAYES STANDING DOWN.

The Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club's riders came to the conclusion on Saturday that amateur riders can go faster than they thought. K. J. Mathieson, who competed for the second time in the ca«h ranks, and who was one of the backmarkers in recent amateur races, scored a comfortable win from D. Storey and W. Archer in that order. Mathieson, though liberally treated by the handicapper, rode well, putting in good pacing work with the others. His finishing sprint was a very fine effort, as he had a good rider to beat in D. Storey. This he did in good style, winning by half a length.

Saturday's race was robbed of much interest by the scratching of S. HayesHe was advised by his doctor to have a spell for a week or two. This should do him good, as he ha« had a very hard track racing season. He was an interested spectator on Saturday.

With four good riders in W. Archer, R. Pelham, J. Blyth and F. Lowndes, on the limit in Saturday's race, it looked a good thing for one of them if they worked together. At no stage of the journey did they appear to be putting any sting into their work, consequently the backmarkers got up, and smothered them out of first and second places. D. Storey rode his best race so far this season in running second. He looked to have an excellent chance a mile from the finish, but took on too long a sprint, tired, and got beat in thr> last ten ,vard<?. after giving the winner (Mathieson) ljm *tart. This was the best individual j>orformance during the afternoon. Frank Prior, off scratch, in winning time, put up a <rrcat unpaced ride. Starting alone and giving his it..rose n~r: - • i, .1 pedalling in splendid style, gradually improved his position, though at no " t!"> '"St lu>. lie ing the strain of the strong cold wind blowing, but he stuck to it, and, finishing full of running, secured the time prize by seconds only. This was easily his best ride this 'year and was also hie hardest. W. Ardier, who finished third, came fast over the last thirty yards. He beat two good riders in Blyth and Lowndes. As a supporter of cash racing, Archer is a very consistent one, and every Saturday when he can get t„ langere he is a starter. Archer's finish 011 Saturday was a big improvement o- anything that he has shown so far this season, and there now seems every chance of him being in the prize money vefry soon again. Handicapper Oakes was present on Saturday to see how his adjustments worked; It is to be hoped he will lessen the gap between scratch and the next riders. To ask any rider, no matter how good he is, to pick up even 60 seconds on two other good riders, is asking him to do the impossible. When S. Haves pulled out on Saturday F. Prior had 70 seconds on to G. Hall and D. Storey; this should have been adjusted immediately the former scratched. The dispute over the prize money won by riders at Te Aroha on Easter Monday is likely to have a far-reaching effect. A special meeting of the Northern Athletic Union is to be held in Te Aroha at an early date to go fully into the matter. In the meantime all available information is being collected, and when the matter has been fnally settled, some very interesting evidence will have been produced.