CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 282, 28 November 1929, Page 17

CYCLING.

WITH THE AMATEURS. good mid-week racing. TRACK EVENTS TO COME. FIXTURES. Saturday, November 30—Run to Lynndale track. Sunday, December I—Club run,- meet Domain, 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 4—Three Mile Open Handicap, Domain, 5.45 p.m. Saturday, December 7 —Lynndale Club's sports, New Lynn. Saturday, December 14—Hamilton Club's sports, Steele Park, Hamilton.

On Wednesday of last week the Auckland Domain was once again, after an interval of three weeks occasioned by rains, the scene of intense activity in as far as the cyclists were concerned. The Manukau Amateur Cycling Club held its mid-weekly meeting, when three races were decided. The grass track was very heavy through the soaking received from recent rains, and as the grass had only been cut on the day of the races, the going was made doubly difficult. Under the circumstances the times returned must be regarded as good. The junior race over a distance of one mile—the first track race to be held by the Manukau Club exclusively for the junior division members, did not receive much support. Only five actually competed, although quite a number of the lads were present to witness the race. As small as the field was a keenly contested race- resulted. S. Budge and Sam Sargent, both out for their first track race, featured on the limit mark, 200 yards, whilst the mark of honour was conferred upon G. M. Lethaby and E. Hall. The race was a procession for the first three of the four Japs, with the scratch pair very steadily moving up. At the bell Budge and Sargent had an 80 yards advantage over Lethaby, who set out on his own with over a lap to go in hot pursuit of the leaders. At the time he essayed his attempt his task of making up the 80 yards in one lap looked well nigh impossible. That success accompanied the effort, and that he won by three lengths, goes to prove what a powerful finisher Lethaby is. Such an effort as Lethaby produced invariably meets with the admiration of any sporting gathering, and he thoroughly deserved his victory and the accompanying acclamations. His time of 2m 42 l-55,. especially for a lad under sixteen years of age, must be regarded as excellent.

Lethaby means to lower his school's record for a mile at its. next annual sports, and as his last mentioned time is six seconds inside the present record he confidently anticipates making a further reduction of the old figures. He concludes his career as a Manukau junior next Wednesday evening, when he celebrates the sixteenth anniversary of his birthday, after which he becomes a senior member of the club. One consolation Lethaby is able to enjoy, and that is, that he will be eligible to race as a junior at the Lynndale sports at New Lynn on December 7, for the age limit , there will-be 18. V

A splendid response was received from the senior division. No less than twenty entered for their one mile and a half race. The race was run off in one issue, and as the field had bunched at three and a half laps a fine sight was presented. Yet at no time did the big field look unwieldy, or was an element of danger apparent. The scratch riders, Wade and Mackie, just streaked up on to the field and had same shortly after the half distance. Both moved up to near the head of the field from Where they could get an uninterrupted run over the final lap. At the start of the bell lap L. B. -Roberts, .35yds, J. H. Wade, scr, and F. J, Casey, 25yds, was the order of the leaders.

Down the back straight Wade took the field with -Casey in close attendance. The two last mentioned had a clear break on the rest when they reached the home straight, and a really exciting finish between the pair eventuated. Casey put in a very strong challenge, and just failed to-overtake Wade by inches, the two flashing over the line almost as one. Wade, who had a clear track before him, veered out to the right when making his dash up the straight. Many were of the opinion that Casey otherwise would have been the victor.

Casey had a victory over Wade on November 28, 1928, in a mils race under almost similar circumstances; coming past after letting Wade lead out the sprint. Wade was cautioned last season for going wide when "sprinting, a habit he has formed unconsciously, but which places the rider who wishes to overtake him at a distinct disadvantage. Unintentional as it was it should not have been let go without comment. The time for the race was 3m 43 3-ss.

The most interesting race of the evening was the two miles pursuit race, in which three teams of two riders started at equal distances from each other in an endeavour to overtake one another. None of the teams were successful in the latter. respect, in fact, the difference between the first two teams to finish, Wade and Bird, who took 5m 15, and Casey and Cleaver, who clocked 5m 19 3-ss, at the end of the first mile was hardly perceptible. But Mackie and Whitehouse had lost much ground through poor team work, Mackie at times'pedalling away on his own instead of keeping with his partner as did the other team leaders. Nothing could be gained by such tactics, for the time of the second rider of each team to finish decided the issue. The latter team ran out the two miles in 5m 27 4-ss, and even though they lost considerable ground were a long way off being actually caught. The pacing work of Wade and Baird. ■was splendid. Baird's laps were equally as fast as those of his partner, although his easy style conveyed no impression of such. Baird is without doubt the best stylist among the amateur, riders, and his effortless glide always occasionsfavourable comment, -from, those who, closely watch him racing. Many of the newcomers to the'game, and some of the older riders, too, should ' try. to cultivate an equally free and steady style of riding. Wade" naturally led Baird over the line at the end of the two miles, but he did not sprint away from his partner, the two finishing practically together. A pursuit race between, say six individual riders, on the banked concrete track at Western Springs during the present season, would be a really exciting contest, even more so than a teamed effort. The Lynndale Club's officials must be complimented for the firm stand they are taking in respect to their meeting on December 7, at their pipe clay track at New Lynn. The track has been improved out of all recognition for the forthcoming sports. Even though the counter attraction on December 7 the motor races at the Mangere Speedway —is so strong, the Lynndale officials are

quite confident that their sports will not suffer to any extent .by the clashing of the dates. The cycling events to be decided are a one-mile for junior riders under 18, a one and a three-mile handicap for the seniors, and a, half-mile scratch race, for which the Lynndale Club mean to invite eight of the Manukau members. Entries close next Saturday with the secretary, Mr. 0. Wilkins, Great North Road, Avondale, or may :be handed to Mr. J. Crum at the track next Saturday afternoon. No permission has as yet been granted the cyclists to train upon the banked track at Western Springs, which is in all readiness. The Parks Committee of tie Auckland City Council meet this week and will advise the club of the date. Last Thursday evening there must have been over fifty riders upon the track, tearing round on bicycles of all descriptions. When the big oval is officially opened for training only genuine racing cyclists will be allowed on. The track will be under the strict supervision of a residential caretaker, and special training tickets will be issued at a small fee.