CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 173, 24 July 1928, Page 12

CYCLING.

THE CASH RIDERS. TWENTY-MILE ROAD RACE. The longest race held tlii? season t>y the Auckland Athletic and Cyciing Club will be staged next Saturday, when the Mangere to Papakura and back, event takes place. The distance roughly is 30 miles, and is sure to draw a big number of starters. The first prize carries with it the Phil O'Shea trophy, a trophy won by him as points prize when he last competed in Auckland, and given to the A.A. and C.C. Saturday's 20-mile race saw the front-markers score an easy victory. With an 8-min. limit, it was a foregone conclusion that they would win. They must, however, be given credit for their systematic pacing, which was a treat to watch. Each rider went through in turn and did his bit, which settled the chances of the middle bunch of catching them; and although they finished flat out, they won with nearly two minutes to spare. Such is the handicapper's luck.

R. Clarke, the winner, was lucky to win. He led Barry by 50 yards over the Mangere Hill top, but when the line was reached there was only a length and a-half between them. This is Clarke's first win and was the first time he had been over a long distance. That he is a heady rider was proved on Saturday when he jumped Barry and Kennellv coming up the Mangere Hill, and gained the lead, which practically won him the race. R. Barry, who finished second, improves with every ride. He made a wonderful finishing effort to get to the winner; but although he. was going two to his one at the finish, he left his effort too late. This rider looks like making good, as his ride over the last mile on Saturday proves him to be a stayer.

T. Kennelly was ridden to a standstill at the finish but struggled gamely into third place. He put in some solid pacing work right through the race, which no doubt told on him when it came to climbing Mangere Hill.

Frank Prior again rode a heartbreaking ride and won fastest time. This game boy has started alone the last three Saturdays owing to his comarker, S. Hayes, not being able to get off his work. It is to be hoped he has a pal for next Saturday's Papakura race, as a lone ride in this would be expecting too much from him. The Dunlop Rubber Co. has presented to the Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club the fine challenge cup that went with the last Hamilton to Auckland road race, and which at the present time is held by J. Henderson. The cup, which is valued at 30 guineas, is a particularly fine one, and comes to the club with uo conditions attached to it.

A meeting will be held at Blandford Park Stadium rooms this week to go into the question of holding this year's Hamilton to Auckland road race. A select committee is to be appointed to organise this classic event, which it is hoped will be staged about the middle of September. If permission can be obtained, it is hoped to hold the finish on the Alexandra Park trotting track. Already inquiries have been had from riders at Whangarei, New Plymouth, and Gisborne, as to when this race will take platee.