CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 292, 10 December 1929, Page 13

CYCLING.

THE CASH RIDERS. W. FRANCIS SURPRISES. TRACK IN THE BOOM. ' FIXTURES: December 11,—One Mile Handicap, Domain, 3.43 p.m. December 18.—Two Miles Handicap, Domain. January 25.—Auckland Club Carnival, Otanuhu. The popularity of the Wednesday evening track events of the Auckland Cycle Club was again in evidence last week, when a good field of 17 riders lined up before the starter. The week previous being again wet riders were naturally keen for a race in preparation for the Christmas meetings. They are showing good form now, and a marked improvement can be noticed every week. Quite a good crowd gathers. at the Domain of an evening to see the two events conducted by the amateur and cash clubs, proving that the sport of cycling is as popular as ever. Last week's event was a mile and a half handicap, and wjth such a big field the officials decided to make two heats and a final, nine being in the first and eight in the second. Owing to the backmarkers catching their field early in the three events, the times were very slow in consequence. This was most pronounced in-the'final, when five of the six finalists were off 70 yards and 100 yards, the other being on 170 yards. In the first heat six riders were bunched at the bell, Healey being in front with Fletcher next and the ultimate winner, Francis, in the rear. From the bell to the line it was a sprint all the way, Francis going through very fast to assume the lead at the head of the straight, and win from Healey by two lengths, Fletcher going easily third. In the second heat Rose, 170 yards, led for four laps where the field gathered him in, and at the bell five were in a bunch with Pinfold leading from Rose and Taylor together. These three had a good race to the line, Taylor squeezing home by six inches from Pinfold, with Rose half a length away third. The finalists were IX Fletcher, W. Francis, F. Taylor (70 yards), N. Healey, L. Pinfold (100 yards), and R. Rose (170 yards). The pace was slow from the gun, the back men being content to let Rose hold the lead for four laps, and then moved up smartly. The pace was now on, Fletcher and Healey taking turns in the lead with Francis again in the rear as in his heat. At the bell Francis repeated his tactics sprinting around the field to come on and win easily from Fletcher, with Taylor half a wheel away, and Healey a further length back fourth. ' ■ _ W. Francis (-70 yards) surprised the writer with his two fast sprints from the bell, and has evidently looked to this department in his training work. Certainly he never took a lap in the twelve he contested, but he had to go around his field in each instance. to Win. He was unlucky to fall in the previous week's events, a three-mile handicap, when going up fast. Francis is in splendid form now and should be , in the money at Springdale and Te Aroha where he intends competing at Christmas. D. Fletcher (70 yards) is a model of consistency with three seconds in as many races, so far contested. Again he lected to be out in front ae previously^

and always seems to get just "topped" off for first money. This rider would do well to take note that he has a tendency to crowd his 'fellow riders in on the inside, especially on the bends, and would do well to desist as it may lead to a serious accident. F. Taylor (70 yards) was third again and looked a likely winner when he went to the front in the final lap, but died away on reaching the straight. A very determined rider is Taylor. N.' Healey (100 yards), fourth, rode well, but lacked a final sprint, while L. Pinfold did not seem to ride as well in the final as in his heat. A. Eose (ex-amateur) was having his first ride in the cash ranks, and rode exceptionally well considering it was his first ride on the track for a long time. This rider was scratch man in the juniors when riding with the amateurs, and before very long will make hie presence felt, taking a line on hie performance. He did best in his heat to get third, but in the final faded away, proving he is a bit "green" yet. S. Hayes (scr.) and K. Mathieson (10 yards), the two back men, retired after three laps in their heats, Mathieson just failing to get up by 15 yards to Yule, Taylor and Pinfold, a *Tiot" bunch. Hayes ie out of form at present his work preventing him from doing the necessary training. He does not intend competing this year at the Christmas meetings, as he will be visiting hie parents at Palmerston North. Everything in connection with the Auckland Club's carnival at Otahuhu on January 25 ie going along splendidly, and given a fine day a good meeting should eventuate. A "working bee" to lay down the track at Sturges Park has been formed, and in a few weeks the track should be available for riders to train on. With the advent of thie meeting and the proposed big carnival at Western Springs Stadium next year many of the riders who have been out of the sport for a while are awheel again in steady training. They are Jack Adlam, one of Auckland's best a few years ago; "Putty" White, another good one, who has been in retirement for u couple of seasons; and the Pelham brothers, Harry and Hoy. With these men awheel again some interesting racing should be witnessed on the. track this season. J. Lindop has decided not to compete on the grass this season, he being content to wait for the banked track as he much prefers it having done all his riding on same in the South/before coming to reside in Auckland. Riders still have the bad habit of looking around and there were cases of cutting In and crowding last week. These practises will not be tolerated by the officials in future and any infringement of the rules will be severely dealt with. Eiders take heed! ' To-morrow night's event will be a one mile handicap, when there will be two heats and final. Provided there are sufficient starters the oflicials propose to give heat prizes. i