CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 194, 18 August 1931, Page 13

CYCLING.

THE CASH RIDERS. WADE AND STOREY GRADE CHAMPIONS. CLARKE CUP NEXT WEEK. FIXTURES. August 22—Clarke Cup and Miniature, 30 August's®—21 P i-Mile Sealed Handicap (Continental stylo). Although the riders had to contend with a strong, bleak wind on Saturday, the conditions otherwise were good for racing, when the Auckland Cycle Club's A and B grade championships were decided at Tamaki. The usual circuits were used, the distance being 18& miles ihe "champs." this year were decided for the first time under unpaced conditions, each rider being dispatched at one-minute intervals to ride against the watch and the riders in each grade clocking fastest time became champions. A sealed handicap was also run in conjunction. Much interest was taken in the events this year, especially by the riders themselves, as they were riding on their own merits, and during the past week some solid training had been indulged in. It was therefore anticipated that some brilliant pedalling would be witnessed, and this eventuated, as evidenced by the times and the small margins between the contestants. Another pleasing feature was the number of starters tor this class of event, 18, the best since the club's inception. The new champion of the club, Jack Wade, again rode brilliantly, and has fully earned the 1931 title after his splendid performances, in the B grade Dave Storey annexed the title, which was very popular with his club mates. Norm. Healey showed a return to form by winning the sealed handicap.

A Grade. The starters in this grade left in the following order: — S. Litchfield, S. Hayes, W.. Mathioeon, K. Mathieson, W. Archer, K Kac H. Clay, C. Willcox, R. Watson and J. Wade. Archer punctured in lap two and Kae retired in the third. The riders lap times, appended, were clocked tor 9, 4/ 2 and 5-mile laps:-Litchfield, 25.28 12 57, 16.35; Hayes, 25.52, 13.13, 18.8; W Mathieson 24 53, 12.37, 16.26; X. Mathieson, 26 30, 12 52, 17.16; Clay, 25.45, 13.8, 17 22; Willcox, 27.21. 14.10, 17.57; Watson, 28.9, 14 43, 20.25; Wade, 24.46. 12.35, 16.0. Appended are the actual times for both events: —

Riding Sealed Time. Hdcp. Hricp. J. Wade 53.21 scr 53.21 W. Mathieson .. u::.sli 1.30 W.Jg S. Litchfield 55.0 2.10 u2.40 11. Clay 56.15 4.15 52.0 K. Mathieson ... 50.37 2.0 54.J7 S. Hayes 57.K'. scr 0T.1.i C. Willcox ...... 59.2S 4.30 54.38 R. Watson 63.17 3.J0 o'J.4i

Jack Wade, the new champion, thoroughly deserved the honour ho attained, for, without any doubt, he has proved himself thua by his brilliant performances and pedalling right throughout the season. He thus adds his first cash championship success to his already lengthy amateur list. To secure the coveted title, Jack had to ride very inch of the way, for he had a strong contender in Bill Mathieson.. who registered a good performance in the previous time trial. At the end of nine miles, Wade had only gained 7s on him, and another two at 13% miles, and it looked as if it would be a close finish, but over the last five miles Wade gained another 265, to win by the margin of 355. The writer offers his congratulations. Bill Mathieson registered another sterling ride, and to get within 35s of Wade was a splendid effort, proving that under unpaced conditions he will always have to be reckoned with. He seems to _ register his best rides unpaced, and is riding so solidly at present that his prospects hl the distance events appear bright. He is a trifle unlucky to be meeting such an outstanding performer as Wade is proving to be this season. Sid. Litchfield's performance was a creditable one, considering he drew number one at the post, a position which most riders do not care about, as they have nobody in sight to pick up the entire distance. This rider is improving each week now, and in next week's 30-miler the writer is prepared for a good performance from him. Harry Clay also gave a creditable display. He generally goes well unpaced. This time he managed to get second in the sealed handicap, his best placing to date. Ken Mathieson did fairly well. He never shines much unpaced, while Hayes is out of form. B Grade. In this grade the riders went away thus: G. Hall, F. Lowndes, N. Healey, D. Storey, L. Tomkins, O. Porter, M. Hibburt, J. Haigh. They were clocked in at 9, 4%, and 5-mile laps as under:— Hall, 27.15, 14.22, 17 58- Lowndes, 28.25, 14.50, 19.54; Healey, 2e!51, 13.59, 17.50; Storey, 26.37, 13.30, 17 38; Tomkins, 27.7, 13.53, 17.20; Porter, 27.32, 14.10, 18.38; Hibburt, 27.50, 13.52, 18.40; Haigh, 27.6, 13.58, 18.13. Biding Handi- Sealed time. cap. handicap. D. Storey .. 57.45 5.30 52.15 L. Tomkins .. 58.20 6.0 52.20 N. Healey .. 58.40 7.15 51.25 J. Haigh ... 59.17 7.15 52.2 G. Hall .... 59.35 6.45 52.50 O. Porter ... 60.20 7.15 53.5 M. Hibburt .. 60.22 7.0 53.22 F. Lowndes.. 63.9 6.30 56.39 Dave Storey, in annexing the B grade title, scored a popular victory, for generally in important events he is dogged by bad luck of some kind. As an unpaced rider he has proved himself on numerous occasions, so his win in this grade was not unexpecteed. In fact, it was a very open race, as shown by the times between the contestants. By a strange coincidence, Storey and Wade, in. both grades, beat the second man by the same margin, viz., 355. Congratulations, Dave. Lou Tomkins, the second man, is another partial to the unpaced conditions, as shown when he won t.he Patron s Cup over 25 miles a month ago. This rider is going to be good over a distance. Norm. Healey evidently took notice of the writer's little paragraph last week about making hacks of the field off his present mark, if he struck form. This he did all right on Saturday, for he rode well to get third in the " champ." and win the handicap also. He, like Storey and Wade, was 35s ahead of Clay in the seated handicap. Truly this is a most remarkable happening, and unheard of before by the writer. Jack Haigh again went well unpaced to get fourth, and also third in the handicap. It will be remembered he won the Saturday previous under these conditions. Next Saturday the contest for the Clarke Cup and miniature, donated by Clarke's Cycle Works for'annual competition, will be decided over five laps of the large 5%mile circuit and one of the 2%, total 30 miles. This will be the longest race to date, and should be a good one.