CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 140, 15 June 1932, Page 15

CYCLING.

WITH THE AMATEURS,

MANUKAU CLUB EVENTS,

FIXTURES.

Saturday, June 18. —Five miles junior T.T. and 20 miles senior T.T. Sunday, June 19.—Run to Helensville, 8.30

a.m., Reservoir. Saturday, September IT.—Club Champion ship, 50 miles.

Competitors in the two road races conducted by the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club on Saturday last had a. taste ot wintry conditions. However, 28 braved the elements, and the percentage oi finishers was high considering the circumstances. . The junior race was over four laps ot the Avondale South course, 10 miles, and drew nine starters. Joe Gillbanks, oil the limit, 9.0, had over a lap start before 11. V. Gordon started. With such a liberal handicap he had nothing much to worry about. He won easily by 1.9 from ii. It. Hansen. This win so early in his career was a big surprise to many, for he had never been placed previously. His riding time of 35.52 was made up of laps m 8.43. 8.41, 8.52, and a last one of 9.36. Certainly consistent pedalling. E. R. Hansen (3.0), second, has a very useful sprint, and proved it to S. J. Ward (2.0) and R. Campbell (2.0) when he led them over the line in the named | order. Hansen started racing this season, and has two seconds and a third credited to him. ~ E. W. Bates (scv.) had a harder ride last week to gain his customary placing, fastest time. For the initial lap he took 7.5, against Gordon's G. 53. but on the second he was three seconds better than Gordon, who retired, very tired, a lap later. Bates ran out the 10 miles in 29.13, gaining time from E. Raper by 255. Bates has had five successive "fastests." Very seldom docs a new rider win at his first acquaintance with the severe course at Avondale South. But F. R. Markham, winner of last week's senior 15-miler, appears to be an ankler above the average. He started off 7.0, but soon romped past limit rider C. D. Thackwell, 8.0. Continuing alone he ran out the winner with 2.48 to spare. Some of the "vets" viewing the race remarked what they would have done with such a big lead and the handicapper present, but, for their information, Markham stated after the race that he felt signs of cramp in his legs, and was afraid to slow his progress as would the "vets" have. Norb. N. Casey is a hard rider to handicap. Let him out, and he is a regular flyer. Last week he had 3.0 start, and finished second, outsprinting five others to achieve such. His time was 44.47, only 1.36 slower than Robinson's. This placing should cheer him up, like Nicholson's did tin? previous week. Third last week off 2.0, Keith N. Clark is now about due to score his first road victory. Keith is always a trier, and invariably performs better than brother George in the small club events. At halfway he and A. Brass, also off 2.0, were actually leading the scratch pair by 2s for time. That's how good Clark and Brass arc. A. W. D. Robinson (scr) worked rather a shrewd point over Hen. R. Dwight (scr.) when he beat Dwight by a wheel in a sprint which Dwight was taking too easily altogether. A mile from home Robinson made a pretence of tiring, and in the homo straight followed Dwight at a distance of ten yards to convince the latter that all was genuine. Thus Dwight was caught unaware.* when Robinson shot up on him, and had no time to change his tactics and speed. However, knowing Dwight as they do, his club mates, including Robinson, know very well that Dwight will never be caught napping again. "It just goes to show you." casually remarked Hen after the event. Robinson's time was 43.11. Dwight was a fifth of a second slower.

Noxt on time were: Ernie Andrews, 43.10; Sel. G. Webster. 43.41: Ivan Bellini, 43.42; Eric Mullane. 43.44; K. N. Clark, 43.48; A. Brass, 43.30: L. M. Nicholson, 44.19; Stew. Bnird. 44.43: Norb. Casey, 44.4"; Geo. Clark, 44.51: F. R. Markliam, 45.;19.

This coming Saturday botli junior and senior races will be run. under the same unpaced conditions as the Olympic 62milcr in which Ron. O. Potlbister will represent this Dominion at Los Angeles next Angus*. A sealed handicap will be made, so all starters are therefore encouraged to finish the full distance.

Club members enthusiastically rallied at the station on Sunday evening to farewell Foubister, who left on his trip to the Games. In an American cycling journal received by Secretary Wilson on Monday, unfortunately too late for Foubister to see. a full description and photos of the actual counse are displayed. In true American style the Auto Club of South California has already signposted the course with "Olympic Road Cycling Course" notices, so there need be no fear of Ron. leaving the straight and narrow path. The rule of the road over there should not worry Foubister. For 'the information of riders here it may be stated that hand-brakes are compulsory equipment. The race starts nt an altitude of SOOft, and in 4<4 miles .the riders will find themselves at practically sea level. At the 24-mile peg they will strike the shores of the Pacific Ocean, which they will ride alongside for the remainder of the 02 miles to Santa Monica. No wonder the boys envy Foubister. Eddie Testa, of Hollywood, at present holds the course record in 2.29, which clearly indicates that the course is "fast," and that Foubister has a "he-man" job ahead of him.

AUCKLAND AMATEUR CLUB

FIXTURES. Saturday. June 18. — Thirty-mile Club Handicap, two circuits New Lynn-Swan-son course, 2.0 p.m. Saturday, June 25.—11J Miles Club Championship, Te Atatu. Saturday, July 2.—231 Miles Cycling Centre Open Handicap. It was decided by the votes of riders to abandon the continental handicap announced and to run the event as an ordinary handicap. The distance was 18 miles, and a record field for the club oh' 2(5 starters was sent away. Although the morning had given promise of a tine day, it clouded over just before the start and half-way through the race a heavy shower fell, making the roads rather slippery and in consequence there were numerous spills, which, added to the list of punctures, etc., reduced the finishing number to 16. K. Linn (11.30), had a very popular win. He only joined the club this season and has experienced a long run of bad luck, having been within sight of a place several times when some little thing has cropped up and prevented him getting there. On Saturday he started off limit alone, and kept ahead to come in with r>l)s to spare. Bill Crocker (7.45) headed a strong bunch in a hard sprint to secure j second place for the second time this j season. Last season he showed to greater, advantage in the longer races, winning the 50-miler, so it is expected to hear more | of him later in this season's longer races. H Enderbv (5.30) in his second start this season {rained third place. He was run-ner-up in the B grade championship last year, when he secured several second places, but could not quite manage to get a first. Perhaps he will do better tins year. W. Pinker (5.0) in his first ride of the season, did very well to finish fourth and also return fourth tastest time. T i r Hugh Browne and Ivan L-aloii again rode the distance together off scratch. and in the sprint Hugh just got in to get time by a bare margin from Ivan. Ces. Johnson's (2.0) was the third best time Ces. shows improvement every week, and has been in the time honours in his last three starts. The riding times were:—H. Browne, V)4S- 1 Laloli, 50.48 2-5; C. .Johnson, OLOTW: Pinker. 5L54; H Webb, 52J2; B. Strathdee. 52.13; H. Enderby, 52.22 2-o, G. Patrick. 53.13: (• Gooder,_ 53.31; W. Crocker. 54.37: B. Scott 540 a; C. May 55.40; K. Banks. 56.23; R._Laloh, ob.oo, N. Brear, 56.55; R. Linn, 5i.33.

Next Saturday the distance will be 30 miles over two circuits of the New Lynn to Swanson course. The turn at New Lynn at the end of the first lap will be made by turning to the left down the road alongside the Delta Theatre, then turning to the right up the first road to regain the concrete. The following Saturday the 11%-mile club championship will be decided, and nominations must be in by next Saturday. Riders may apply to be placed on scratch if they 60 desire, but the handicapper definitely states that if he does not consider them fit he will not place them there. Next Saturday's race will start at 2 o'clock sharp owing to darkness setting in early.