CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 165, 15 July 1930, Page 16

CYCLING.

THE CASH RIDERS.

LLOYD CUP CONTEST.

W. MATHIESON again in the

LIMELIGHT. FIXTURES. j u ]y in—2oi Miles Handicap (S laps circuit), 2.4". p.m. July 26—25 Miles Handicap (3 laps new course). The Auckland Cycle Club's first cup raco •of the season for the Lloyd Cup, donated by handicapper G. L. Knight, was decided on Saturday over seven laps of the circuit (IS miles). Just before the field was dispatched, a heavy shower fell, which left the. roads very slippery in consequence, otherwise the conditions were good, with no wind to speak of. The officials had the satisfaction of seeing a good field of 16 start, and a still larger number of spectators were present to follow the race. In fact, the large attendance carried one's thoughts back to the old Mangere circuit, where large numbers used to gather every week-end to follow the ever popular road sport. The Mathieson family were again to the fore, Billy capping his previous good efforts with a sterling ride, which was his most important road win to date. His performance can be gauged from the fact that he also went close to gaining fastest time honours as well. The cup was not presented to the winner as in former races, for all the trophies are to be presented at the annual dance at the end of the season. Limit Rider Unlucky. Green and Guy (Cm 15s) were first away, followed by Whyte (5m 455), Potter, Lowndes, Kae (5m 15s), Clarke (4m), Healey, Storey (3m 30s), Taylor, McDonald (3m 20s), Hall, W. Mathieson (2m 455), Gooch (lm 455), K. Mathieson and Hayes (30s). On completion of the second lap (five miles), Green was leading ahead of his co-marker, Guy, with Lowndes and Potter lm behind next, followed by Taylor, McDonald and W. Mathieson (who had done well), 2m behind. Gooch passed 3Jm in arrears, and Iv. Mathieson and Hayes 4im. Whyte punctured in the first lap. At the end of four laps (10 miles), Green, who was riding a good unpaced race, was now 45s ahead of Lowndes, McDonald, Taylor and W. Mathieson, w'ith Gooch (who also had ridden unpaced up to this stage), im ahead of Hayes and Mathieson, 3m behind the leader. Just after passing for the final lap, Green was caught by McDonald, W. Mathieson and Taylor, and barring accidents the winner was in this bunch, for the three back men were now together, 2£m behind. Coming round the corner for the final sprint to the line, W. Mathieson was in front, with Taylor on his wheel" and McDonald likewise (who skidded on the wet surface badly). In a good finish Mathieson did best to score by a length from Taylor, McDonald being one and a half lengths away third, with the unlucky Green close up fourth. In a spirited v finish between the back men for fastest time, Hayes prevailed over K. Mathieson by a length, Gooch half a length away. j

Pedallers' Form Reviewed,

W. Mathieson (2m 455), by his cup win on Saturday also improved his position for the'points cup, and is now in the lead with Ritchie, both having nine points. The Mathieson brothers are riding splendidly this season, and have won the last three events, Bill two and Ken one. It was early apparent in the race that the winner was goipg to be one of the hardest to beat, for at the end of the second lap he had left his co-marker, Hall, and was up with the 3m 20s men, whom he remained with to the finish. Mathieson's laps were real ■ "stingers" from now on, Taylor and McDonald also giving of their best, which eventually gave him the lead with two and a half miles to go, and also having a chance of fastest time. Noted for his sprinting ability he tfas given the best chance of winning barring accident, which he did nicely. His presence from now on among the back-markers will make the racing more interesting, and taking a line from Saturday's performance, should have no difficulty in holding his own. > Frank Taylor (3m 20s), in gaining second place, rode exceptionally well considering he had a heavy cold, and remarked after the race that he even surprised himself. For three rides he has been fourth and second, Saturday's performance showing him to be nearly back to his true form. In the next distance event, at which he excels, this rider should be near the front. 'Jim McDonald (3m 20s), seems destined not to get a win, being third again, and in the two previous events third and second. He was a trifle unlucky when rounding the bend to straighten up for the final sprint to the line, his machine skidding on the wet surface, into the grass. Jim must have thought, he was "broadsiding." Consistent riding as his must soon be rewarded. R. Green (6m 15s), -fourth, must be considered decidedly unfortunate to be overhauled in the closing stages after a good exhibition of unpaced riding. After the first lap, Guy, his co-marker, could not go with him, and Whyte, when going well, punctured, leaving him on his own. Thus, with no one to help him, he was set a hard task of holding off the three men who finished in front of him, and was by no means disgraced. It will be remembered that this rider last season won a 13 miles event at his first attempt off 6Jm, riding the entire distance unpaced and winning easily. Slater Hayes (30s) again returned fastest time, but did not have much to spare at the finish with the winner. Whereby it appeared in the report of the race that 46s was the margin, this was an error, and should have been 16s. Hayes and-Mathieson paced it out well, but could, not make any impression on the placed men.

General Comment. S. Gooch had a hard ride on his own, and may have been closer at the finish with someone to help him in the early stages. Hayes and Mathieson only caught him with a lap and a half to go, at a difference of lm 15s in the handicap, which speaks volumes for his ride. Of small build, he has a nice action, with plenty of "pep" in it. Ken Eae was awheel again after his illness, which is pleasing to chronicle. He rode as one would only expect him to. Norm Healey, Dave Strong and Bob Clarke also competed for the first time since leaving Mangere. They also were not in the right condition to see out the full journey. H. Clay was an onlooker this week, having strained a muscle in his leg when training through the week. He should be a lot better with hie new machine. I S. Litchfield was also present, recovering I from a bad attack of "flu." °

Congratulations. Jim Lindop, the popular scratch rider of the club, was also an onlooker, and was congratulated by liis clubmates on joining the ranks of the Benedicts. The writer wishes him the best of luck. Jim stated that his first race will be the championship, which he has annexed for the past two seasons. Next week's event will be a 20J miles handicap over eight laps of the circuit, and the following week a 25 miles handicap, which will be held over a new course. This course, which is 7J miles round, is to be given a try-out in view of the longer races appearing on the programme at a later date.