CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 208, 3 September 1929, Page 11

CYCLING.

THE CASH RIDERS

R. CLARKE TAKES RUDCrE SHIELD. PAPAKURA RIDERS TO THE FORE. FIXTURES. September 7.—19.4 Miles Handicap (three Japs of Mangere Circuit). September 14. —25 Miles Handicap (four laps of Mangere Circuit). Iliis week should see the prize list for the Hamilton-to-Auckland North Island championship road classic issued. A little matter that has been holding up the poster has now been finalised, and when same is issued cash riders will be able to peruse it with some satisfaction, for the prize list is a good one. This year will see the finest list of trophies ofiered for the race since its inception, and the total value of cash and trophies is £150. Four fine cups are being oflered for competition, three of which are appearing for the first time. The John Bull Challenge Cup, valued i at 25gs, has been donated by the John Bull Tyre Company, of England, through their local agents, Skeates and White, Ltd.. for fastest time. It can become the property of any rider winning it three years in succession. Another fine cup for annual competition, valued at £10, has been donated by Hope, Gibbons, Ltd., Auckland, and another, valued at ogs, has been donated by Clarke's Cycle Works, Ltd., Newmarket. With the Dunlop Challenge Cup (already competed for) they should make competition keen. Entries for the race will close somewhere about the 19th or 20th of this month. The road race conducted by the Auckland Cycle Club at Mangere on Saturday <vas for the Rudge Challenge Shield, this *eing the year of its inception. The course was an out-and-home one, to Papakura and back to Mangere Bridge (30 miles), and the 16 competitors raced under ideal conditions, though the stiff westerly wind made the time slow. The winner turned up in E. Clarke, of Papakura, who became the proud possessor of the shield, which was presented to him after the race by Mr. H. Edwards. Papakura riders had a. day out on Saturday, when they filled the first three places, W. Francis being second and C. Slack third. This was a unique performance in the club's races, as they are the only three competing from there, and they went home feeling very pleased with themselves. J. Harcourt, of Hamilton. and J. Lindop provided a splendid finish for fastest time honours, going over the line together, a dead heat beiii" recorded. In the race the only item of note going out was that Rae retired early through cramp. The order of the riders when they turned at Papakura. was:— Slack and Gardiner (7Am), 39.45; Healey, Clarke (6m), Henderson, Francis, Lowndes (sim), 40.25; Potter, Hall (4}m), Storey, Archer (4m), 41.50; Pinfold, Mathieson (3m), 43.20; Harcourt, Lindop (scr), 44.20. At Wiri on the return journey the 6m and s \m men had caught the two leaders, and the race rested with these seven until the finish, having a good lead from the next bunch. Through Mangere three came to grief, and Henderson, Slack, Francis and Clarke came over the hill for the finish in a bunch. In the sprint to the line Clarke came away to beat Francis by one length and a-half, with Slack a length away, third, and Henderson same distance, fourth. Harcourt and Lindop provided a ding-dong finish, going over the line locked together. R. Clarke (6m) scored his second win for the season, and proved by his second the previous week that he was again in form. This rider is a good sprinter when in form, as he showed in the club's track events, held on the Domain, when he went a merry half-mile. He is one of the likely ones in the big event at the end of the month, as he stays on well over a distance. With two firsts and a second he has eight points for the points cup. W. Francis (sim), second man, is riding very consistently at present, being fourth, third, fourth and second in the four last events he has contested. He looked a winner when in front just before the line, but shut up quickly when Clarke tackled him, much to everybody's surprise, as he is noted as a great battler. A win for him is not far off. C. Slack (7Am), third, improved on his previous week's fourth after doing a lot of hard work during the race. He is improving with every race, and a win should be credited to him before the season closes. J. Henderson (s£m), fourth, was.again "knocking at the door." A win for Jim would be popular, as he has been unlucky this season. Winner of the big classic two years ago, he should again go well, as he will be on a handy mark. J. Harcourt (scr.) and 'J. Lindop (scr.), dead-heaters for fastest time honours, provided the titbit of the race, which was easily the best finish of the season between the scratch division. Slater Hayes was indisposed, and could not start, which was a pity, as his stinging laps were much missed by these two. If these three get together in the big event and work well they should liav# a fair say for championship honours, as they are very fit at present. Harcourt should put up the ride of his life. All three will be competing at New Plymouth in the New Zealand championships in October. N. Healey came to grief on Saturday when going well, through touching Slack's back wheel; this was bad luck. Gardiner also came down. R. Gardiner (ex-amateur) had his first ride with the club, and was going well until he came down with Healey. He should do well in the cash ranks'later on. Members will be pleased to hear that '•'Booker" Herring is doing fine in hospital. He wishes to be remembered to all.

KAIKOHE CYCLING CLUB. The Kaikohe Cycling Club held another road race on Saturday. The distance for the seniors "was about twelve miles and a-half, along the Mangakohai road, and for the juniors half that distance. Results:— Senior Race.—F. Eisenhut (1.30), 1; H. Jackson (4.30), 2; L. Roberts (scr), 3; T. Jordan (2.45), 4. Fastest time, L. Roberts, 37.45. Junior Race.—Duncan Mac Lean (4m). 1; Cliff Goodhue (3.30), 2; Colin Fenton 3; D. Mac Lean (scr), 4.