CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 93, 20 April 1932, Page 13

CYCLING.

WITH THE AMATEURS. MANUKAU CLUB. FIXTURES. Saturday, April 23. —10-Milcs Junior and -O-Miles Senior, at Avoudale South, at '■£ p.m. Sunday, April 24. —Kun to Duder's Beach, Clevedon, leaving Newmarket at It a.m. Saturday, April 30.—Olympic Trials Road Race, .Levhi to Wauganui, Go miles. Brilliant sunshine graced the opening of the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club's road season last Saturday afternoon, when a \r niol T aru * a sen >° r event was conducted. New Lynn to Swanson and back, 15 miles, was the course chosen. The general standard of riding was good for an opening race. Of the nine juniors racing J. R.. Hall, 2.0, virtual scratch, was outstanding. He started from his mark with E. W. Bates and S. J. Ward, but soon outpaced these two, and turning at the halfway point fou/th in the field, he was even then assured of victory. Three miles from home he took the lead, but even the knowledge that he was then the leader was not quite sufficient, for he drew further away from Hansen to win by 17s. Coming, as he did, right through the field, he naturally gained fastest time. The 15 miles occupied him for 43.10. Last year he took 45.5!) lor the same course, so his improvement needs little enlargement here. At the rate he is going at present ho must find himself very near Gordon on the handicaps. For a "first time out" rider E. R Hansen, 5.30, brother of "Tiny," gave aii exhibition which Handicapper Jack Auckram did not fail to notice. Hansen finished second. Jn stature he is a voting giant. E. W. Bates, 2.0, found Hall's pace far too fast, so lather than crack himself up continued at reduced speed to finish third, 1.28 after Hall. Handicapped by a very heavy machine "Buster" Elliott, 5.30, struggled manfully along to be placed fourth. If the seniors' race over the same 15miles course had been a sprint the finish of the three placed men could hardly have been closer. It was sheer grit and determination that ivon the event for Reg. T. Baston off 5.0. Over the last quarter of a mile Baston, Nicholson and Bellini went "tooth and nail" for the black line, and all three were greatly relieved when the same was reached. Baston, last year, tied for the Kohn Cup with Scl. G. Webster, and his win last week gives him winning position this season. Whether he will be able to continue in such strain is hard to tell, but his performance was a fair one. "Pair" is used because last season over the same course, he did 4.3.9. On Saturday ho took 23s longer. However, a rider cannot, unless ho is another "Eoubister," produce remarkable form at his first venture. Lionel M. Nicholson, 6.0, second, started road work at the close of last season when he recorded a first and a second. His success last week should be of considerable encouragement. H. W. Bellini, 7.0, third, had one win out of 15 races last road season, but the form exhibited by this pedaller last Saturday should stand him to better stead this year. Another rider who produced a slower time than he did last season over the same course was R. C. Chappell, 5.0, who finished fourth in 1.8 after the winning trio. His time of 44.50 was 2Ss slower than the time which gained him third place from 5.15 in last season's "Swanson." But in a few months time he hopes to furnish a big surprise over such hilly courses, for he means to equip his machine with gears. In Wellington there was mention in a. paper of banning the use of gears on racing machines. This banning is sheer nonsense, for a rider who trains to be efficient physically naturally wishes to be similarly fitted mechanically.

At the start of the race it was quite evident that Ron. G. Eoubister. who rode alone from scratch, meant real business, for he had on a pair of light tubular tyres and a good all-round gear of 77.7 inches. It was hardly anticipated that he would cripple his old record of 41.29, but that is just exactly what he did do. He reeled off the 15 miles of undulating roads, concrete for nine miles and metal for the remainder, in 41.10. However, this dash of speedy work at the opening of the season did not get him anywhere near a placing. Jn fact, ho finished 2.38 after Baston. With a ride of 24 miles 1282 yards in one hour and the record for the Pahnerston North to Wellington race of 102 miles Foubister's ability as a roadman places him on a par with any amateur rider in the Dominion. In the 102-miler he took 4.39 .39, breaking Frank Grose's record by no fewer than 18.32. Whether the New Zealand Cycling Council will continue with their decision to hold the road and track trials at the close of this month to select a team for the Olvmpic Games, despite Grose's refusal to ride, is not as vet known. Should the road trials be run then Eoubister, who has been selected to compete, must have a splendid chance of further enhancing his fame. Popular and well-supported opinion here is that the trials should be held. The club-run to Pukekohe was the best supported this year. The commencement of the road season evidently had a distinct bearing on the fact that 1G riders turned out. Each Sunday club captain E D Andrews has a run mapped out. There is no finer method of attaining the required fitness for the more serious effort required in the actual racing, training should be done at a building up pace, and this is where the runs score.

AUCKLAND AMATEURS.

FIXTURES. April 23.—15-Mile Handicap, New Lynn to Swnnson and return, incorporating novice Ap"ii C 30.—20-MHe Handicap, Xe Atatu, 2.30 May m 7.—Auckland Centre 23-MDc Open Handicap, Western Springs to bwauson and return, 2.30 p.m.

In bright sunshine and with very little wind blowing the club held the second road race of the season over 11% miles last Saturday at Te Atatu. Although not as large as the preceding week s the field was very good, there being 18 starters. The large circuit was used for the first time, and was found to be very satisfactory. Owing to the dry spell during the latter part of the week the roade were in good condition and fast times were recorded by all riders, the record for 111 miles, last years distance, being exceeded by both H. O. Browne and I. C. Laloli. Next week a 15-mile handicap will toe run from New Lynn to Swanson and return, and a novices l'aee for all those who have not yet won a road race will foe held in conjunction with it. The record for this race stands at 42.5, to H. McElroy's credit. On May 7 the Auckland Centre of the N.Z U.C. will conduct its first open handicap road event over 23 miles from Western Springs to Swanson and return, at 2.30 p.m. Entries must be handed in by April 30, accompanied by the entry fee of 1/. Registered numbers must foe worn, and members are requested to wear the club colours, white top and black shorts. , , R. Bartrum (4.30) last Saturday rode a sterling race to win' comfortably by 445. His riding time was 32.11. He is a newcomer to the sport, this being only his second race, and is showing wonderful promise, as he finished fourth in the SMs miles the previous Saturday. With training and the experience lie will be able to get in ensuing races it is to be expected that he will foe a serious contender for championship honours this season. G. Patrick (3.35), another newcomer to the road, did very well to ride to second place in 32.20. He has a strong finishins splint, and it was this that enabled him to beat C. Johnson across the line. He intends securing a new machine, feeling that his present one is unsuitable, and when he does so should prove a very hard j man to beat.

:_ C. Johnson (3.15), for the second time ,in succession this season, secured third ' place. He is a very strong rider with a nice easv style. With more training and concentration on sprinting he should be able to put himself higher up in the placings. He is a very popular member of the club. His riding time was 31.41. H. O. Browne (scr) rode a very fine race to set up a track record of 30.5. Although not yet at the top of his form he was much more fit than on the previous Saturday. Great performances are expected from Browne this year. Last year he won the Points Cup or club competition, and it certainly looks as if he was after it again this j - ear. I. C Laloli (scr) was only beaten for time honours by Browne's great sprint, after they had ridden together. _ Great team work was displayed by this pair, who shared the pace-making. _ Laloli is a young rider with great promise. He will be a very serious contender for iboth championship and Points Cup. He should pay special attention to developing a finishing sprint. His time was 30.7. C. Goodcr (2.45) followed up his second place in the BV£ miles 'by securing third fastest. His rest during the latter part of the track season has done him a world of good and he returns to the road a very hard rider. C. Melville (2.45) in his first race in this club did very well, and secured fourth fastest. Previously he has raced on the North Shore, where he has performed creditably, and it is hoped that he will continue to do so on this side of. the harbour. He is a powerful rider with a nice style. K. Banks, out at Ellerslie last Saturday on the track, secured third in the one-mile handicap and a first in the two-mile event. He is a good rider, and his advent on the road is awaited with interest.