THE CASH RIDERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 183, 4 August 1932, Page 16

THE CASH RIDERS.

ROAD FORM AND NEWS. VETERAN F. CLARKE'S COME-BACK. , FIXTURES. August 6.—1(5 Miles Handicap, 2.45 p.m. August 13.—3 ft Miles Handicap. October 15. —Te Aroha to Auckland (100 miles), North Island Championship. Racing conditions were Ideal again for the .road sport at Tamaki on Saturday, when the Auckland Cycle Club continued their weekly road races with a 2UVa-mile handicap, over iVz laps ot' their 4%-mile circuit. This was in good order, but a fairly strong wind slowed the riders up considerably over portions of the course. With .such a good day in evidence a good field was expected, but the big football attraction evidently alfected tha attendance, as only a fair field of fifteen competed. Nevertheless it was a good race, and with many of the back-markers missing the front men never left the issue in doubt. The following started: J. Robertson, 0.0; P. Clarke, T. Davis, 8.0; P. Lowndes, L. Devlin, O. Porter, 7.0; 15. Hall, 5.0; S. Ward 4.30; P. Bicknell, D. Storey, S. Kara, 3.30; K. Mathieson, 1.30; M. Hibburt, W. Pratne.v, 0.30; E. Cleaver, scr., and their positions and times at each lap are appended. Lap one: Rollerson, 14.16; Clarke, Davis, 14.48; Porter, Lowndes, 15.0; Ward, Hall, 17.9; Devlin, 1V.45; Storey, Bicknell, 18.0; Kara, 18.41; Mathieson, 19.54; Hibburt, 21.2; Cleaver, Prntney, 21.11. Lap two: Lowndes, Clarke, Porter, 28.22; Rollerson, 28.56; Davis, 29.10; Hall, Ward, 30.12; .Storey, Bicknell, 30.42; Mathieson. 32.21; Kara, 32.25; Cleaver, 33.34; Hibburt, 33.42; Devlin, 34.32. Lap three: Lowndes, Porter, Clarke, 41.46; Storey, Bicknell, Ward, 43.30; Mathieson, 44.40: Cleaver, 40.8; Kara, Hibburt, 46.32. Lap four: With miles, to go the leading trio, Lowndes, Porter and Clarke, looked the sure place-gettsirs, for they passed at 55.18. followed by Storey, Bicknell, 56.22; Mathieson, 57.7; Cleaver, 58.52; Hibburt, 59.25. The trio came into the home stretch bunched, to have a great battle all the way to the line. Porter led out in a long sprint, but Clarke forged ahead to go over a length ahead of Lowndes, with Porter half a length atfay. Storey went oyer a length ahead of Bicknell 35s later, with Mathieson lis after them, and Cleaver next. Mathieson's Good Unpaced Ride.

Frank Clarke (8.0) followed up last week's good performance with a victorv full of merit, aptly demonstrating that he has staged a come-back after very many years' absence from the sport. A veteran he is without doubt, but far from a back-number, as ho proved on Saturday, when he came away with a great finishing effort in a spirited contest to the line, to outsprint Lowndes and Porter. His improvement since the opening of the season is most marked, and although he will now be reaching a tighter mark, should still be capable in his present form of showing some of the younger ones how to pedal. His win was most popular. He lapped in 13.48, 13.34, 13.24, 13,32, 9.31; actual time, 63.49.

Tim Lowndes (7.0) is riding in much better form than he has done for a couple of seasons past and his support of the club runs each week has had a lot to do with it. The runs have been poorly attended of late, and if riders would onlv support them as they should, they would soon realise it is to their own benefit. Tim has now a win and two seconds to his credit, and the writer is of the opinion he hasn't finished getting into the money yet. Porter and he worked well together, and when Clarke was collared, the trio never looked like being troubled. Lowndes should try and sharpen up his sprint a little, for he has gone under twice now in the final dash. Perhaps the new cranks he was trying out did not assist him. He lapped in 13.0, 13.22, 13.24, 13.32, 9.32; time, 62.50.

Ossie Porter (7.0) has been a big disappointment so far this season, after last year's good showing. He has not shown the improvement expected of him. but in conversation with the writer on Saturday admitted he was over trained, and stating that after a spell all the week rode much better. The club runs would suit this rider now, as easy pedalling is indulged in. His laps were the same as his comarker's, and his time 62.51.

Dave Storey (3.30) has been riding right up to form since the "champs," and with Bicknell, his co-marker, they tramped on it all the way in an endeavour to get the leading trio. This they failed to do by 355, and as Dave did most of the pacing it was a good effort. With another rider to assist, it is more than likely he would have got up. He lapped thus: 12.30, 12.42, 12.48, 12.52, 9.2; actual time. 59.54.

Ken Mathieson (1.30) was responsible lor a good unpaced performance in annexing time honours, as well as finishing in sixth position, only 40s behind the winner. He never rode better than he is now, his display unpaced, for he started alone and rode so, being his best yet in the club. His improvement in this department is most marked, for Ken was never a good unpaced man up till now. A comparison of his times this season under these conditions all over 20% miles as recorded read 58.48, 58.10, 58.5. Eric Cleaver, riding alone from scratch, was looked to record fastest time honours after his performance in the "champ," but after doing well up to the third lap, then faded away. Still, Mathieson's lapping was very steady, his third being his best, and on the day fully deserved the honours. He lapped in 12.24, 12.27, 12.19, 12.27, 8.28; time, 58.5. Cleaver's laps were 12.11, 12.23, 12.34, 12.44, 8.38; time, 58.30.

Bill Pratney, having fully recovered from his injuries, was a starter again,' but having put on a lot of condition during his enforced spell, will take a while to get into form.

All members who have entered for the roller championship and not ridden yet are requested to record their rides as soon as possible at Mr. F. Lowndes' residence, 28, Livingstone Street, Grey Lynn, to finalise the event.

For the benefit of provincial riders who intend competing in the Te Aroha-to-Auckland classic, the following may assist them in their training. The race will finish as other years at Papakura, the new Bombay deviation will be used, thus cutting out the Razorbacks; the race will come via Hamilton.

That the road sport is making great progress is exemplified by the formation of another club at Thames, with Mr. Ken Edkins as secretary. It is to be hoped the Auckland Club receive the support they deserve in undertaking a longer race this year, which will be 100 miles.