WHEELMEN AND THEIR FORM.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 304, 24 December 1929, Page 15

WHEELMEN AND THEIR FORM.

THE cash riders. w MATHIESOK'S comeback. D. FLETCHER CONSISTENT. FIXTURES. December 23,-Four-lap Handicap, Western Sprinss Stadium. December 26,-Springdale Athletic Meetin£> January 1.-Te Arolia Fire Brigade Meeting. With the advent of the Christmas vacation, cash riders will be experiencing a busy time within the next fortD i°ht. The Springdale meeting is first ou the list on Boxing Day. Then sandwiched in between this and the le Aroha meeting, on New Year's Day, will be the two races at the Manukau Amateur Club's carnival at Western Springs Stadium on December 30. Three weeks later, January 25, there will be the Auckland Club's carnival at St urges Park, Otahuhn. The writer wishes all cash cyclists a me rry Christmas and a successful comijjtr year, and may the best man win. Within the past fortnight the Auckland Cycle Club have held two evening meetings, one on the Domain, and the other at the new Springs Stadium., The mile handicap held last Wednesday week at the Domain drew another good field 0 f 17 riders, when two heats and a final were decided. In the first heat Archer (100 yds) was the leader at the bell from Yule* (50 yds) and W. Mathieson (80yds). Mathieson shot to the front entering the straight to win fairly easily from Yule and Archer. The second heat proved the best race oi the evening, the pace being on from the gun. N. Whyte (140vdsj held the lead until entering the straight, when the field caught him. In a dingdong finish A. Hose. (120 yds) rained the decision by half a length irom Sercombe (100 yds), with Hall (SOvds) half a wheel away third. The time for this heat was splendid, being 2.24 3-5.

In the final the six riders bunched early; consequently the pace was slow, each man waiting for the bell lap to make a sprint of it. "Billy" Mathieson proved tlie best sprinter, and won fairly easilv again from Yule, with Hall right on "his wheel third, and Rose fourth. Ouathieson staged a comeback after being away from the sport for four years, his last race being on the Blandiord Park Stadium, where he put up some splendid performances. He was naturally delighted again to appear on the winning list. Xow that tho banked track racing is again in full swing, '"Billy" should make his presence felt, as he is a top-notcher on this sort of track.

"Col" Yule, second, rode well in both Ms heat and final, but when it came to sprinting with the winner, was just not quite good enough. Being only a lad, his cycle looks to be a bit too heavy for him, r.nd he would do better with a lighter machine. G. HalL (80yds), third, is beginning to show some of his oldtime iform on the track at last. It takes a rider a while to get into form for short races on the track, after he has keen specialising in long-distance riding on the road. When rights Hall can sprint with the next best.

At Western Springs. The initial event held, on the Western Springs Stadium last "Wednesday was not as largely attended as the previous events on the Domain, but this was to he expected, as a misunderstanding took place among members as to where the race was to be held. Still, the twelve starters provided a good, race and. finish, considering it was their first attempt on the banked circuit. When they become more accustomed to this class of racing, some spectacular riding and fast times should be recorded. The race under f review "was a twomile handicap, and from the gun the field started to bunch after four laps. Lindop (scr) got up early, but could not go on with it. Over the latter stages the pace was slow, Fletcher, Yule and Archer being out in front most of the time. At the bell it was a case of positions for the final spurt. D. Fletcher (50yds) was nicely placed on the inside from Yule and Archer, while Francis went fast on the outside but was "snowed" out on the bend entering the straight. Fletcher, riding well within himself, came on to win fairly easily, the rest going over in a bunch, Archer being placed second, Yule third and Sercombe fourth. Fletcher well deserved his win, for he has been a model of consistcncv since the track season opened, his record being one win, and three seconds for five starts. He is a fine little rider, and •before long will find himself on the honour mark. He would do well not to look around at the finish of a race, as the officials are watching closely. W. Archer, second, is improving with every race. He held a good position right through the event, covering no' unnecessary ground, and came home fairly well. C. T. Yule managed to gain another placing, after trying very hard to win the race out in front. "When '"Col" does salute the judge it will be well earned, for since joining the cash ranks he has been placed on numerous occasions, both on the road and track. J. Lindop was a starter again, and went fast in the early stages, while his condition lasted. One got a fair idea what this good rider can do on the hanked track, and when right will be one of the stars among the cash men. The two events on the amateur club's programme to be held at the Stadium on December 30 will be a four-lap handicap (just short of li miles) and a miss-and-out scratch race. The two races have drawn a good entry of 25 riders, proving that the Manukau Club officials' action in providing races for cash riders was a wise one. Just as these notes go to press the handicaps for Springdale have made their appearance, and judging by the nominations there should be some excellent racing. With Sid ilcCann and Jim Harcourt riding off scratch, not to mention other good ones in A. Pilkington. C. Stace, IL Caulton, W. Francis and W. Pratney off middle marks, the sectators should get plenty of thrills on Boxing Day. W. Francis and W. Pratney look the best handicapped of the Auckland riders, Francis being in -splendid trim, but they will not have to adopt loafing tactics, as the two back men are brilliant, a ract which they proved at New Plymouth last Labour Dajc. _ _

WITH THiE AMATEURS. RACING ON CONCRETE. MANUKAU CLUB'S "SPLIT" WITH X.Z.A.A.A. FIXTURES. Monday, December 30. —Cycling Carnival, Western Springs. S p.m. Wednesday, January 1. —Whatawhata Club's Sports, Whatawhata. Wednesday, January S. —Two-lap Junior and eight-lap Senior, Western Springs, 5.45 p.m. Members of the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club were given their first opportunity to race 011 the new concrete surfaced banked track at the Western Springs Stadium last Wednesday evening, when the club conducted a race over half a mile for the juniors and over two miles for the seniors. The new track naturally found favour with the cyclists. The safety of the banked track was exemplified when, in the senior race, the middle and front markers, IS in all, bunched early, and for over three laps raced around the big circuit of 512 yards without any appearance of placing themselves in a dangerous position. There was a noteworthy steadiness about each rider not associated with the majority of them when racing upon a grass track, which takes a deal of hard heavy work to progress over. Had the races last Wednesday been set down for decision on the grass track at the Domain they would have had to b& cancelled 011 account of the showers during the afternoon. Both races terminated with an exceptionally close finish. Especially so was this the case in the junior event, when C. C. Beart, 25yds, and J. Colman, 40yds, crossed the line almost simultaneously. Only hte judges were in a position to separate the pair and Beart was awarded first place in the best junior contest yet decided. His time? lm Ss, .can be regarded as excellent for a lad under sixteen, the junior age limit. A Record Entry. The record entry of 23 starters for a senior track race was equalised last V\ ednesday, when that number competed in the two-miler. The race was characterised by the riding of J. Wliitten off 90yds. The limit riders were in receipt of 280 yds from J. H. Wade, who had a hard ride off scratch with his nearest opponent, A. Mackie, on 40yds. Although he overhauled Mackie and paced along with the latter rider, he made no impression upon the field. Despite the fairly liberal handicaps, Whitten was at the head of the field before three laps had been traversed by the leaders. At the bell L. B. Roberts (/oyds), who also rode conspicuously, led out, with Whitten in second position. Whitten came out in the back 'straight and many thought he had made a great mistake by going out so early. Even though he had forced the pace from the start, he still had sufficient in reserve to keep off a. pack of eight _ and win by a length from K. Nankivell (140 yds), who has had many successes on banked tracks in the South Island. Whitten's time was 4m 21 2-ss. and as he was by no means extended some sensational times can be expected ou the new track before the present tiack season, which has every appearance of being a record one as far as competition is concerned, concludes.

Big Event Coming. The cycling carnival to be held on c^ e a t the Western Springs Stadium on the evening of December 30, •P™ mise3 to be the biggest event in the history of cycle racing in Auckand. Already widespread interest has been shown in the event. Practically all of the Manukau amateurs and members of the professional club, the Auckland Cycle Club, will be seen in competition. To have both codes represented at the one meeting is no infringement of the rules of the International Cyclists' Union, under which the Manuwheelmen will be competing. The professionals will race under the rules of the Northern Athletic Union, a body which, under the able secretarvship of Mr. J. L. Harris, of Otaliuhu," can be highly commended for the fine manner in which it looks after the interest of its The meeting of Angus Mackie, the 17-year-old Canterbury three-mile champion (he won the title at Christchurch on February 9 last in the time of 6.45 3-5) and 19-year-old Jack Wade, Auckland's popular scratch rider and champion half-miler of the Dominion (Wade won his title at Wellington on Eebruary 23 last, when he defeated Tom Oakley, of Masterton, by a length in 1.10 behind motor cycle pacers will, in itself, lend considerable interest to the carnival. Mackie, even though he has previously raced behind the roller, will find a hard nut to crack in Wade, for the Aucklander, in the little time he has had to accustom himself to the sport, has already shown promise of excelling himself at this thrilling phase of the sport. Then the five miles scratch race, for which 32 have nominated, will not be lacking as a spectacle. To avoid any likelihood of a slow-run race, prizes are offered to the leader at the conclusion of each half-lap. If this doe 3 not tend to make the pace a "crack-a-jack" then nothing else will. This race carries the best trophies of any event, £15 in all being devoted to it. There is every promise of a record gathering of Manukau Club riders at the Whatawhata Club's annual sports gathering at Whatawhata on New Year's Day. The officials of this club alwavs give the visitors a hearty welcome. On this occasion six cycle events will be decided. All events are handicap races, and the track lends itself admirably to long markers—the riders who really need the encouragement offered them. To many the meeting has become an annual picnic, and F. J. Casey in particular rejoices over the fact that he has competed there for the last three New Year Days, and each time has come away with one victory to his credit. J. H. Wade will be a competitor this time. For the benefit of those who do not know the location of Whatawhata, it may be stated that the sports ground is on the main road from Hamilton and about six miles west of Frankton Junction.

Manukau Wheelmen Unperturbed. The 2ST.Z.A.A.A.'s letter which appeared in the Press last week is not likely to have any effect upon the amateur cyclists of Auckland. It is regarded by many as r. serious attempt to prevent the Manukau Club's meeting on Dec-em-ber 30 from achieving the success which it merits and only a move to try and frighten the amateur riders here from competing. The association is in no position to dictate to members of the club, for the club is not, as wa« erroneously stated in the association 5 letter to the Press, affiliated to the X.Z.A.A.A. The Manukau Club resigned from the association last April. Since that particular date the Manukau Club affiliated 1 to the New Zealand .Union pi Cyclists,

which body is under the direct jurisdiction of the International Cyclists' Union, which controls cycle racing throughout all countries. Much depends ou the success of the first meeting at the Western Springs Stadium, and 110 body realises this fact more than the N.Z.A.A.A. Other amateur cycling clubs throughout New Zealand who are wary of severing connection with the association, and whole-heartedly turning over, are closely watching the stand taken by the Auckland amateurs. All that remains to gain the confidence of the Southern clubs is tiie success of the stadium meeting. The public in general have not as yet been acquainted with the full facts relating to the Manrkau Club's breakaway from the association. The Manukau Club, it is said, had every justification in ignoring the association, which still has to meet its obligations to several members regarding the non-presentation of trophies won at meetings held, in some cases over two seasons ago. There is nothing more discouraging to an athlete than to win an event and then have to wait indefinitely for a trophy he has trained hard and conscientiously to win. Then, again, it is alleged instances of lax administration occurred during the club's association with the X.Z.A.A.A. Eventually the club decided to resign.