CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 226, 23 September 1932, Page 10

CYCLING.

WITH THE AMATEURS. MANUKAU CLUB. FIXTURES. Saturday, September 24.—Cotter Cup, 15miler; 10 Miles Junior, 2 p.m. Sunday, September 25.—Harbour runs, 0 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. ferries. Saturday, October I.—Auckland Provincial Championship, harbour course. In 1930 the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club's officials, unable to gain permission to run races south of the city, sought out a northern course and on Saturday last this strenuous 44 miles course was used for the third occasion by the club to decide its 1932 road championship. The event was favoured with fine weather and the road surfaces were exteneively improved. The road was well marshalled by H. R. Dwight, J. Leather, F. J. Casey, -A. Raper, F. C. Mahon and L. Wilson on motor cycles and by motorists, C. A. Paul, J. Gillbanks, father of the winner, and K. Spragg, who brought the riders' clothes back to the finish. It was universally agreed that the race was the bast of the three now decided by the club over the course, which is (becoming a popular one. A record field of 36 started, and what is of even greater credit is the fact that 20 finished within 32 minutes of the winner and 20 riders qualified for the certificates of performance presented by Mrs. C. A. Paul, wife of the club's president, who did the honours and .complimented the riders in a short address after the race. Handicapper Jack Auckram had a difficult task in ihandicappiivg the young 14-year-old rider, Joe H. Gillbanks. There were many who considered that Joe would not finish the course before nightfall, but Jack had other ideas, so gave Joo 45m start. This big start gave the other 35 starters something really hard to chase, for Joe made a great race of it and led alone right from Devonport, over the Albany Hill, through Riverhead and Henderson to the finish at Western Springs, where a bis and enthusiastic gathering was there to greet the riders. Gillbanke is a solidly built lad, but this is hie first big success. He won a 10-miler off 9m early in this season. Apart from these he ihae not been placed. He won by 545. It is questionable whether distance rides are advisable for lads of such tender years. Another junior member, J. Brown, 16m, finished second. Brown certainly rode impressively over the latter stages. Fifth last year, Lionel M. Nicholson, 10m, aided by his worthy co-marker, E. Raper, showed improvement by finishing third with Raper fourth. "Nick"' was 8.32 faster than he was last year. There havo been several fastish rides over the '.'harbour horse shoe" course, but Lee H. Dwight capped the lot on Saturday when riding from scratch. He dropped A. W. D. Robinson and H. V. Gordon, the other scratch riders, and finished 7.0 after the winner, to break Ron. Foubister's record by 1.27, when 'he clocked 2h 9m 10s. His gaining of the two championship sashes, one donated by Mr. Fred Flanagan, the club's official masseur, and the other by the club, was a fitting conclusion to such a record-breaking ride. Les. left on Sunday evening for pivristchurch, where ho will compete in the Dominion amateur championship 100-miler. On his present form he ought to figure prominently. A burst rear tube just ae the starting group faced a battery of cameras, nearly put Dwight late in starting. Willing hands assisted him to make a speedy replacement. Nest Saturday the seventh raoe for the Cotter Cun, now held by Eric Mullane, will be held. Members who did not get sickened with the "harbour" race last Saturday, are reminded that entries close next Saturday for the Auckland Centre's provincial championship event to be held on October 1, and which is open to all amateurs. An entry of 50 is anticipated. This race is the last for the Club Challenge Shield, which the Manukau Club now holds with a big lead from the Auckland Club. Les. H. Dwight hopes to be back from Chrlstchurch for the race.

Details of the Olympic Games road race of 62.13 iniilee, are to hand. Ron. G. Foubteter, scratch rider of the Manukau Club, representing New Zealand, finished 23rd out of an entry of OS. Foubister's_ time was 2h 38m 42 l-se, and the winner, Attilio Pavesi, of Italy, took 2h 28m. 5 3-ss. PAPATOETOE CLUB. The club held a 20-mile time trial under sealed handicap. The rain and wind made it very trying for the riders. The race was held over the new circuit, and the winner of 'the sealed handicap was A. S. Pinfold, who rode for the first time off 5.30. His lap times were 8.35, 9.5, 9.24, 9.4, 9.24; actual time was 45.32.* This rider is a fine stamp of boy. Although he appears a bit heavy, he has the strength to carry him through, and should bo among the beet of his club after a few more rides if he sticks to it.

E. Morris, who started off 6.0, gained second place, being beaten by Is for first place. This is another hefty lad, who seems to take well to road racing and has gained several places in his short career in this style of sport. His lap times were: 9.3, 9.2, 9.20, 9.5, 9.33; actual time, 46.3. His times show how steady this rider is. L. V. Jones, off 6.15, collected another i third to his credit. It looks as 'though i he is collecting a eet of thirds, as this is about the sixth time he has had this place. If he keeps on it won't be long before he gets a first. His laps were: 9.14, 9.26, 9.25, 9.35, 9.43; actual time, 47.23. Fastest time again went to S. Pinfold, who did the journey in 43.30. His laps were: 8.33, 8.38, 8.41, 8.42, 9.2. It is really surprising to note that he finished the race without a mishap this time., It looks as if his luck has changed at last. D. N. F. Pinfold gained second fastest time in 43.57, his laps being: 8.17, 8.37, 8.56, 9.0, 9.7. This boy gained the fastest lap on the day in 8.17. He is a good rider ■and should xiphoid the name of his club well during the track season. R. L. Francis started off 2.30, doing the distance- in 44.39, lapping in 8.44, 8.40, 8.51, 8.50, 9.34. This rider is rapidly coming back to form after his accident. Geo. Jones, starting off 2.30, took 45.41 to do the distance, lapping in 8.40. 8.56, 8.59, 9.20, 9.46. This rider went to Hamilton last week and started in a 21-mile race conducted by the Waikato Club, and gained first place and second fastest time, being beaten by only 26s for fastest time. Next week's race is an invitation race for all clubs who wish to compete in an A and B grade, for which a medal will be presented for first place in each grade. Afternoon tea will be provided on the day. In response to an invitation of the Papatoetoe Amateur Cycle. Club, members of the Hamilton Club will meet the locals in an 18J miles road race at Papatoetoe to-morrow. The Hamilton Ladies' Club will he also represented, and will meet the Auckland Jjadies' Cycle Club in a C-mllcr over the same circuit.