CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 260, 3 November 1931, Page 13

CYCLING.

THE CASH RIDERS.

END OF ROAD-RACING SEASON

LADIES' CUP CONTEST. FIXTURES. J November 7.—Special 20-Mile Handicap ] (Mr W. A. Newdick's trophy), 2.4 a p.m. November 25.—Annual Presentation bociai and Dance. The Auckland Cycle Clu'b officially concluded their 1931 road eeason at Tamaki last Saturday with a 25-mile handicap over hve and a half laps of the circuit, for a. special cup donated iby two keen lady folio'vv ers of the club, Misses J. Edwards and O. Herring. There was also another trophy donated 'by Mr. O. Melvern an old-time cyclist, for the fastest married rider. WiUi these trophies, and competition keen foi the "Pardy" aggregate points cup, it -was only to be expected that a _ good lield would lino lip, as racing conditions were ideal, although the heat of the day somewhat affected the riders. Iwenty-one were dispatched, and the race, (proving a good one and full of interest, it was a filling wind-up to a imost euccessiul SC At the end of 18 aniles G. Pollers on, off 8.30, who eventually proved the winner, led Lowndes, off limit, by 48s, while 1.0 later came Haigh, Clay and Willcox, followed closely <by Hibburt, with the back men making up their leeway Whitten, whilst riding with Wade had bad luck in his chain coming off just before clocks in, losing 40s. With.2% miles to go Rollerson was still well in front of a now broken-up field, which had been bunched prior to this, and lie lea Haigh by 1.30, the latter being 22s ahead of the next man, Willcox, with Putney 21s behind him. Then followed at 10s intervals Hi'bburt, Lowndes, Mathieson and Wade together, Hayes and Whitten. Rollerson, pedalling well, came on to the line to win by 1.5 from Haigh, who in turn was 1.1 ahead of Willcox. lv. Mathieson headed Pratney and Wade over the line for fourth place, 10s after Willcox. Then came Whitten and Hayes. Rollerson's Initial Success. George Rollerson (8.30) in gaining his initial success in the cash ranks, scored convincingly, and was pedalling that well with over half the journey completed, that his win was assured, barring a mishap. He joined the club last year from the amateurs, but did not do much racing. Coming out half-way through this season lie has gradually ridden himseli into form, and his ride in the mountain raco at New Plymouth last week left mm a very fit man. In this race, of? 30.0, n3 was one of the leaders to within 15 mace of the finish, where he fell over three Others who came down, leaving him a. sore man, although he continued. His riding time on Saturday was 76.52. Jack Haigh (5.15) went a good race, to again find himself in second position in a cup contest, and has been a trifle unlucky in not securing one this season. He has one consolation in being runner-up for the points aggregate, to secure the Pardy Shield. This rider has made rapid advancement in the sport and only for being a sick man in the 100-miler at New Plymouth would have been much harder to beat. His condition gave out 10 miles from the finish, when leading with his co-markers off 23.0, who eventually filled first and second places. He finished 15tli. The club is losing a promising member, as this was his last race, prior to leaving for his home in Southland. May he have the best of luck. His time was 74.42. Cec. Willcox (5.15) notched his fourth third iu succession, and another point to consolidate his position as winner of the Pardv Points Cup, and miniature. His win for this trophy was a popular one, members giving him a rousing reception. He lias only missed one race during the season, a great record. His time was 75.53. Ken. Mathieson (2.30) finished on in fourth position, heading Pratney and Wade over the line in the sprint. His ride was good, considering he had had a bad attack of the 'flu. His time was 73 18 Jack Wade and Jack Whitten (scr) stepped on it from the word "go," for the first named to cross the line 13s ahead j of his mate and gain time honours. Whit- j ten had bad luck when his chain came on nearing the end of lap four, and only for this they may have been closer at the finish. It spoilt what would have been a good finish between the pair, too. Wade is the winner of the club's fastest time points cup and miniature easily, while Whitten won the trophy for the fastest married rider. The latter rode well at Tc Aroha Labour Day to gain third and first places in the mile and tliree-mile events. Wade's time on Saturday equalled his own record, 70.52. Whitten, 71.5. Final positions for the points cups are as follow:—C. Willcox 13, J. Haigh 12, W. Archer 11, J. Wade. K. Rae, F. Lowndes, N. Healey 10, D. Storey 0. J. 'Wade won the fastest time cup, registering 17 Although the road season officially closed last Saturday, there will be one more race next week over 20 miles. This has been arranged, as Mr. Alf. Newdick, vice-presi-dent "of the club, has donated a very fine trophy for competition, to go to the winner. Whakatane Notes. Labour Day saw the Whakatane Cycle Club stage their 45-mile road championship from Tc Puke to Whakatane, which proved most successful. The winner proved to be A. Lander, a young rider of Awakeri, riding off a 35.0 mark. He sprung a big surprise on the crowd by winning with a 5.0 margin. It was his first attempt at racing, and with experience should develop into a first-class rider. W. Green (20.0) rode a good race to get second, but had all lie could do to keep ahead of the scratch bunch. W. Hansen (scr) was third, and in gaining the blue riband also created a surprise in. beating E. Nowland (scr) for the honours, by over a minute. Although only of small ; build this rider is one of the best sprinters'in the district and proved that lie also is good over long distances. Hansen s . time was 21i 14m. It is the intention of this club to endeavour to arrange a Bay of Plenty road race from Tauranga to Whakatane for allI comers next year. Road cycling is ceitainly going ahead in this district.