CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 244, 15 October 1929, Page 14

CYCLING.

THE GASH RIDERS.

L. PINFOLD'S FIRST CASH

VICTORY.

SPECIAL RACE FOR SATURDAY WEEK.

FIXTURES,

October 19. —19.4 Miles Handicap (Mangere Bridge, three laps). October 26.—Special Cup Handicap (distance to be arranged). (Closing of the season.)

Under ideal racing conditions, the Auckland Cycle Club' held their 19.4 miles handicap last Saturday afternoon over the Mangere circuit, when a good field of 18 riders competed. For the first time this season out of 25 events contested there were no scratch men, S. Hayes being unable to leave his work and J. Lindop's machine being under repair. Consequently the fastest time honours was very open, but the lm 20s virtual scratch men were equal to the task, K. Mathieson beating Hall and Francis in a desperate finish, lengths separating the three. The large gathering of spectators was provided with two thrilling finishes, seven riders being in the first bunch across the line, and seven in the second, 37 seconds later.

The winner, L. G. Pinfold, was responsible for a sterling performance, for he was a "lone-marker," and with Lowndes and Yule, put in some stinging laps during the race. He was a popular winner with his elubmates. K. Mathieson. in securing fastest time, had to do his test over the last bit to stall off Hall and Francis. All three worked well together, and it was Mathieson's sprinting ability that stood to him.

In the race the pace was on from the word go, and at the end of lap one Pratney (6m) had dropped his comarker, H. Whyte, and led the field, passing half a minute in front of Gardiner (4m), Eae (3m 40s), and McDonald (3m 40s). All the. back-markers had moved up, and Jacob and Clarke

retired. The second lap saw many changes, Rae, Gardiner, McDonald and Pratney now being together leading, half a minute ahead of a fast-moving trio in Pinfold, Lowndes and Yule. Green was next, another half a minute, and then came a big bunch of seven backmarkers, 2m in arrears of the leaders and going well. It was now a battle between the seven in front and the seven behind, which looked to favour the front men, as they were 2m ahead. Coming over the hill for the sprint to the line, seven riders were bunched when Pinfold shot to the front 100 yards from the line, and in an exciting finish held off Yule, who came fast to get the decision by three-quarters of a length. Lowndes was only half a length away, third, and Gardiner same distance fourth. The next seven men were only 37 seconds behind the winner, another good finish eventuating, Mathieson being a length in front of Hall in the final dash.

L. G. Pinfold (3m) scored his first success since joining up with the cash riders last July, though he has been placed on two occasions. His first ride to Clevedon and back, 45 miles, produced a third, and he was seventh prize-winner in the Hamilton-to-Auck-land race, being unlucky, for he fell when holding a good position nearing home. His first three rides in the club were splendid efforts, but he then seemed to go off, and it was not until Saturday that he showed his previous best form. He excels at unpaced riding, and proved it when he picked up Lowndes and Yule in the first lap. These three did some fine team work, and they eventually filled the places.

C. T. Yule (3m 20s), second, was in a like. position three Weeks ago, when he had his first ride in the ranks. It says much for this young rider's ability to notch two seconds out of three starts, and was unlucky to strike Pinfold at his best on Saturday. He came very fast over the last bit, but found the winner equal to the occasion. For his first season's racing he has done well, winning many prizes in the juniors of the amateurs. Being a fine sprinter, he may do well this coming track season.

F. Lowndes (3m 20s), third again, has been no less than seven times in this position during the season, thereby scor-

ing half of his 14 points for the Cup, for which he holds the leading position with one race to go. Evidently three is Tim's lucky number. One would like to see this consistent rider score an outright win, as his nearest was a deadheat with Hills early in the season. He holds the key position to the Pardy Cup now, as the nearest riders to him with eleven points have to win to make it a dead-heat.

R. Gardiner (4'rn), fourth man, was third the previous week, and is riding in his best form at present. It is a pity that the season is so near ending, as this rider only joined up with the club at the latter end, which does not give him much chance of securing a Win. He still has two more races, and one never knows.

Ken Mathieson (lm 20s), fastest timewinner, as previously mentioned, took the honour with that well-known sprint of his, but he had, to do his best to bcatG. Hall, the Hamilton-to-Auckland winner, Avho is now in splendid "trim." These two are both good sprinters, and it was a battle royal over the last 100 yards, with Francis only half a length away, too.

Saturday week will see the close of the road season, when a special cup race will be held over a distance to be arranged. Next Saturday was to be the end of the season, but Mr. H. Edwards has secured a special cup, and it has been decided by the officials to carry on another week, which will be a fitting climax to a most successful road season.

Three Auckland riders will be competing in the New Zealand championship round the mountain race at New Plymouth on the 26th, namely, G. Hall, this year's Hamilton-to-Auckland winner, R. Clarke, avlio was fifth, C. Slack, eighth, and probably F. Potter. Jim Harcourt (Hamilton), North Island champion, will also be competing. W. Francis is unable to make the trip, which is a pity, as he should have don© well'.

At an informal meeting of club members last week it was decided to hold another athletic carnival, such as was held last year, the carnival to be held somewhere about the end of November. A general meeting will be held of members later to finalise matters pertaining to this big event.