CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 259, 1 November 1932, Page 13

CYCLING.

THE CASH RIDERS. END OF ROAD SEASON. JUNIOR AND SENIOR RACES. 'i "FIXTURES. ■ November o.—Opening of Track Season, Khj-ber Pass, one-mile Junior and Senior Kaces. Date to be arranged—Annual Presentation Dance. The Auckland Cycle Club concluded its 1932 road season at Tamaki last Saturday under ehovrery conditions. A strong wind, proved very troublesome to the riders, and times registered were fairly good under the circumstances. Two races were decided for the first time, a five-mile handicap for the newly-inetituted junior division, and a 25-mile handicap for the seniors. Under Jim Lindop's- charge a promising start was made with the juniors, four being present to race over two laps of the small circuit, five miles. Now that this division has been started, further recruits can be expected as time goes on. The four starters were K. Clarke, C. Rafferty, 2.30; S. Weller, 2.0; P. Biekncll, scr, the latter being still eligible as a junior, although a starter with the club all the season.

The two limit men were holding their handicap until, they met the head wind, and here Welle? made \vp his handicap well, to combine forces with them at the start of the second lap. Bicknell was then set a hard task to overhaul them. When the trio came into the head wind once more, Weller showed his worth again by riding away from the other pair, and finished a winner 31s ahead of Rafferty, γ-ho outsprinted. Clarke to gain second place by a length. Bicknel.L only gained 17s on Weller,' to record fastest time in 16.17, Weller's time being 16.34, Eafferty 17.35, Clarke 17.36.

A points cup for the juniors on the track has been donated by Mr. Norm. Healey, points to count, five for first, three for second, one for third and a point for a start. This cup should make for keen competition among the lads. Mr. J. Lindop, Box 44, Auckland, will receive all entries for the juniors. Watson Wins Points Cup. The 15 senior starters were: F. Clarke, 8.15; L. Cooper, J. Sampson, 7.0; R. Halliday, E. Hall, F. Fieldsend, 6.0; B. Strathdee, G. Harvey, 5.0; F. Lowndes, 4.15; M. Hibburt, 3.45; G. Hall, 3.0; W. Hansen, R. Watson, 1.0; S. Litchfield, K. Mathieson, scr. E. Hall and Halliday led at lap two and maintained same right up to end of the fifth lap, while the back men, with the exception of the scratch pair, had moved up well. It was then, at 2Vz miles to go, .that five men were practically bunched, Hall and Halliday being just 8s ahead of Hansen, Hall and Watson, with Harvey"3os behind them. Into the home stretch came the five to have a good finish all the way to the chalk mark. Hansen led out, whereupon Watson and G. Hall ranged up, Watson forging ahead to win a good race by half a length from Hall, with Hansen half a wheel away third, and E. Hall fourth, Halliday fifth and Harvey sixth.

Rex. Watson (1.0) finished up a good season by scoring his win and fastest time, and into the bargain annexed the "Pardy" Pointe Cup, with points totalling 10%. It was his win on Saturday that gave him same, for Tim Lowndes had 15%, and realising he had to score to get it. he was thus putting every ounce into his effort. Away at Taranaki last week, Lowndes got ahead of him when he scored, but Eex. came back in good form, as he went a splendid race, with the conditions in his favour. He fully deserved the cup, and Lowndes was the first to offer his congratulations. His time was 71.35.

Gordon Hall (3.0) went his best race for quite a while and once again it was over a distance that he shone. Anything under 25 miles does not suit this rider, but when it comes to hard conditions and distance riding he is generally in it all the .way. Gordon has done much better on the road this season than formerly, and as he won the track points cup last season we may see him again riding prominently this. His time was 73.36.

Eik Hansen (1.0), along with Watson, his co-marker, went nicely, and it was only in the final sprint lie went under. He is only now getting used to the hill work on the circuit, and next yjear we should see him going much better races. Watson was lucky in having him as a co-marker, for they teamed well all the way. The Whakatane boys will be delighted with Rik's showings, as they have a good opinion of him. His time was 71.36 2-5. Edclin Hall (6.0), with co-marker Halliday, lapped it out well, and at one stage of the race looked sure of a place. The hard conditions told on them at the end, and with better conditions would never have been beaten. Eddie is showing much better form now, and may show up on the track. His time was 76.38, Halliday's 76.40. G. Harvey, who finished sixth, is an ex-amateur from the Tamaki Club. For a first effort over the circuit he went a slashing good race off the 5.0 mark, and next year the writer , predicts a good season for him. He has done well with his late club. His time was 76.26. Sampson was seventh in 83.35.

Jack Cooney and Bill Pratney both rode well in the track events at New Plymouth on the grass track there. The meeting was postponed from Labour Day to Tuesday evening, being decided under electric light. Cooney showed himself a rider of class by annexing the big two-mile wheel race of £10 and Dunn Cup with miniature for first place. He had 40yds, Lamberton (scr) was second and Parker (scr) third. Foote led into the straight, where Cooney shot through fast to win by half a wheel. Second and third men finished fast-also. Pratney won his heat with one of his favourite lap sprints, but skidded badly on one of the bends in the final. In the five-mile New Zealand championship, Cooney again showed his worth. Half a mile to go the field was bunched, whereupon Cooney shot into the lead and looked a winner, but C. Parker (Wajtara), with a great sprint, got up to win by inches only. J. Burke (Inglewoqd) was third and Len Hill fourth. Lap prizes were won by Pratney (2), Cooney and Parker. Cooney was also third in the three-miler off 50yds. Pratney fell and was unlucky. Cooney finished tenth in the 100-mile road> race, and not A. Mackie, as stated last week. The track season will open at Khyber Pass grass track as last year, on Wednesday week, November 9, with one-mile junior and senior handicaps.