CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 87, 14 April 1931, Page 17

CYCLING.

THE CASH RIDERS. CHAMPIONSHIPS CARNIVAL POSTPONED. EASTER FORM REVIEWED. FIXTURES. April IS. —Auckland Cycle Club's Carnival (provincial championships), Western Springs Stadium, 2 p.m. tjlav 2. —Opening of Road Season (Auckland Club). A more wretched day than last Saturday the Auckland Cycle Club officials could not have ordered on which to hold their championships carnival, and the decision to postpone it until next Saturday was wise. In fact, it was the only course open to them, for when they visited the ground in the morning it was raining heavily, and a cold, bleak wind blowing right across the ground. Though the weather cleared a little towards noon, heavy showers continued right through the day, which left the running tracks sodden, the banked track slippery, and pools of water lying on the terraces. Therefore the postponement was decided upon in the best interests of the competitors and public. Maoiy were the disappointed competitors who journeyed to the Stadium, but the ■unfortunate ones were those who had come from all over the province to compete. They took it in the right spirit, however, and intimated they would all be on hand next week, which goes to show what great interest is being taken in this, the initial championship meeting. As much hard work is entailed by the officials in staging such a carnival, it is to be hoped the weather next Saturday will be on its best behaviour. The entries received for the various events are first-class, all the best pedallers in the province having entered for the "champs," which total 13. The handicap, races have also filled well, with an average of 24 a race, while the foot events should see some good contests, as Borne of the best runners from the country have entered. The wrestling bouts by the members of the Leys Institute Club should be exciting, judging by the work-outs witnessed by the writer last week. Anton Koolman, ex-Olympic champion at Paris Games, 1924, and present middle-weight professional champion of the southern hemisphere, will referee the bouts, and give a demonstration of holds.

News From the Track. The cups allotted for the "champs," half, one and two miles, have all beeii donated by Clarke's Cycle Works, Newmarket, and are now ou view there. A. 0. Pilkington (Te Aroha) arrived early last week to get in some good work-outs: This rider is pedalling as well, as anyone at present and must be considered in the "champs." ' 0. Stace (Te Aroha) intended competing in the "champs," but had a bad ; spill at Otorohanga on Easter Monday., breaking his collarbone. This was bad . luck for him, as he rode well at the Opperman carnival at the stadium last year. W. T. .(Frosty) Pollard (Waihi) in!jonned tire writer that they have a club there with 21 members, and for three road races have averaged 19 v. race. There is no mistaking the road sport ' k popular. It is the intention of three or four t°. compete in this year's Cambridge to Auckland. * Alex Ritchie (Christchurch), who, it will be remembered, resided here eight months ago, and competed with the club, is on a visit again. This year he won the quarter, half and three mile New Zealand championships. He is not eligible to compete in the provincial championships, as he has not the three months' residential qualification. "Ritch" rode with outstanding success at Otorohanga on Easter Monday.

Ken Mathieson is making a good recovery from, his accident, and quite likely will be a starter next w,eek in the "champs." |i Next Saturday was to have been the opening of the road season, but now the carnival is being held, the opening •will not take place until May 2, as Anzac Day falls on Saturday week, April 25. The extra week's spell will give riders the time to get road ready after the track. Easter Racing. Great racing was witnessed at the Otorohanga meeting on Easter Monday, all-the star pedallers competing. This meeting, with its large stakes, promisee to become the biggest meeting in the North Island, if not in the Dominion, and though the track, now a banked pumice one, is fast, it is the intention of the club to lay a new tar-sealed one. Alex Ritchie (Christchurch) was the star performer, annexing the half and five-mile handicaps and two-mile invitation scratch race. He also finished fiecQhd in the three-mile, and third in the.one and two. His winnings totalled £30. Jack Whitten was ""the next best rider to Ritchie, winning the three-miler and getting eecond in the five, and third in the two-mile invitation. His winnings totalled £15. Bill Pratney and Jack Wade notched a third each, while Slater Hayes rode unplaced. The thrce-miler, which Whitten won, was a great race, Pratney going out with one of his lap sprints. Whitten and Ritchie just got him on the line, with inches between the trio. At Te Aroba, Norm. Whyte was the only Aucklander to compete, but without success. K. Pilkington {Te Aroha). brother of A. 0., performed-best, winning the one and two-miles, also third in the three. He annexed the points cup. At Whakatane, W. T. (Frosty) Pollard was the outsanding performer, riding off virtual scratch to win the one and half and two miles, also* third in the one mile. His winnings were £20. At To Kuiti the local boys captured all the events, although Whitten, Hayes, Harcourt, Pilkinjrton and Stacc were present. E. J. Peterson, a local lad, performed well, winning twice, and getting second in the other. The track was like the on© experienced at Kumeu, with 6narp bends, consequently the back men could not get up.