CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 236, 6 October 1930, Page 15

CYCLING.

___— WAIMATE TO CHRISTCHURCH. WATSON GETS BEST TIME. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. M Briggs, of the New Brlghtc/n Cycling Club won the Waimate to Christchurch cycle road race to-day. He began 44 minutes aheadJ of the scratch men, and finished a lap ahead of S. Havill, who was half a lap in front of his brother, J. Havill. These three led from Dunsandel. After reaching" the concrete road at Rolleston they made fast time, and held their lead against the challenge of the scratch men, McCann and Watson. These two did remarkably well in catching up, in spite of deep loose metal and shingle, and hundreds of motor cars between Dunsandel and Rolleston. _ Briggs showed great stamina in a sprint away from the Havill brothers three miles from home. H G. Watson, ex-New Zealand champion, proved himself a great general of the road, and was the brains of the scratch team, his judgment being relied upon for most of the journey. He finished iri six hours 23 minutes 32 seconds, which was the fastest time. The race was the longest road cyc-le race yet held in New Zealand. Sixty-eight riders started the 145-mile journey to Christchurch. ~ _ . The Mayor of Waimate, Mr. George Dash, started the two limit men at 7.15 a.m., in the presence of a large _crowd. The scratch riders started at 8.45. The weather was fine, with no wind, and the road was reported good. . Non-starters were: T. Greig, G. R. Morris, Mv P. Smith, J. Philllpson, C. E. Jones (Christchurch), E. B. Taylor (Temuka), M. B. Munro (Dargaville), E. A. Reiher (Rangiora), and D. Newell (Stoneyhurst). The first six riders through Ashburton, after travelling 87 miles, were Briggs and Dawson (44m), Preen (48m), J. and S. Havill and Blyth (52m). The scratch men reached Ashburton half an hour later, Weir, B. Arnst, McCann, Lukey, Lanjberton and Farmer arriving almost together. With 58 miles to go, it appeared that the scratch men had a good chance. The route was rough in places, but the time was good. MANUKAU AMATEUR CLUB. Showery weather prevailed on Saturday, When the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club continued its programme of weekly road races at Mount Roskill. A high wind accompanied the showers, and made racing conditions severe. The Junior event was over a distance of ten miles —double the usual distance —and attracted a fair field of 11 starters. The riders were sent off as follows: —P. H. Bicknell, 7m; D. L. Porthous, I. C. Bellini, J. W. Bell, sm; G. Bates, L. E. Cox, A. H. Bowen, J. H. Cobb, G. A. Thompson, 3m; S. D. Budge, 455; A. W. Robinson, scratch. Over the second and final lap Bell took tho lead early, and went away to win with lm 8s to spare from Bellini, who also rode the last lap unpaced. Robinson finished fourth, 2m 3s after Bell. The result was: J. W. Bell (sm), actual riding time 32m 58s 1 J. C. Bellini (sm), 34m 6s 2 P H. Bicknell (7m), 36m 48s 5 A. W. Robinson (scratch), 30m Is .... 4 L. E. Cox (3m), 33m 27s 5 Besides finishing , fourth, Robinson recorded the fastest time in 30m Is. The senior race was a 15-mile event for the Cotter Cup, which was presented to the club by an enthusiast who now resides in the "home of cycling," Christchurch. The race was over three laps of the Mount Roskill circuit, and drew a splendid field of 25 starters. The placed seniors were:— E. J. Avery (2m 30s), riding time 41m 48s « 1 M. R. Carter (2m 30s), 42m 5s 2 H. V. Gordon (3m 30s), 43m 36b .... 3 C. A. Clarke (3m), 43m 19s 4 C. Harris (3m 30s), 44m 42s 5 Avery, received a great ovation when it was announced that he had recorded fastest time in addition to winning. Avery's exhibition was one of the finest ever ..witnessed on the circuit.