CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 303, 22 December 1932, Page 18

CYCLING.

TAKAPUNA CLUB

Aa the Takapuna Amateur Cycling Club has no track available for immediate use, the committee has decided to hold a series of sprint races on a short section of their road coarse, and the first of these meetings wae an undoubted success. In all twelve events were decided, including heats, finals and match races, over distances of half and three-quarters of a mile. At this meeting no times were taken, and consequently no attempt was made to establish a record for the Owen McKee, starting from scratch, accounted for the junior half-mile event by a length from W. Henderson, 30yds, with De Pine, 25yds—a newcomer—about three-quarters of a length back in third position. This was a good finish, the four riders entering the finishing straight almost abreast. De Pine led out early, but could not hold his lead, and was soon worn down by McKee and Henderson. However, it was a good effort for his first start. It must have been scratch junior Tom Maloney's unlucky, day, as in the halfmile event he received a bad 6tart, while in hia match race with McKee he received a bee sting in his ear at about half the distance. In spite of the fact that the bee stayed in his ear, he gamely finished the journey, to be defeated by only a

Senior road champion Y. S. Blomfield again came to the fore by winning all of his four starts, two heats and two finals, from scratch. He seems to be infinitely more at home in these road events than he is on the grass track. One of the most spectacular and unexpected wins of the afternoon's racing was secured by Bert Oliver in his heat of the half-mile. Ernie Bacon, scr., had taken the lead coming into the home stretch, and appeared a sure winner. About 20 yards from the post he slowed up, and immediately Oliver saw his chance. Like a flash he shot past Bacon to win by a length. In addition to this win he also secured first place in his heat of the three-quarter mile from 70yds, and second in the final of the half-mile from 50yds. In the three-quarter mile final his previous exertions told on him, and he had to be content with third place.

Owen Durbin showed a pleasing improvement in form, being only narrowly defeated in both his heats. He should score at the next meeting.

After scoring good wins in his heat of the half-mile and a match race with Coleman and Evans, A. Lydford, 20yds, seemed to tire considerably, for he did not again figure among the placings. The leaders on points for the season's trophies so far are:—Seniors, V. ' S. Blomfield, 8 points; and juniors, 0. McKee, 3 points.

WHEELHOUSE'S LEADER CUP. The two miles handicap race for the I.eader Cup was decided by the Auckland Amateur Cycling Centre at the Auckland Domain grass track last evening. A strong wind down the back straight made for slow times. There were 24 starters. 31. P. Byrnes and H. R. 1) wight, the scratch pair in the first heat, were unable to get placed. In this heat ,T. W. Clark and H. J. Collins fell, the latter being taken to the hospital. First Heat. —C. I. Gainsborough, 240 yds, 1: E. L. G. Hughes, 150 yds, 2; E. SI. Nicholson, 160 yds, 3; K. N. ■ Clark, IGOyds, 4. Won by half a length. Time, 4.57 3-5. Second Heat. —D. X. Pinfold. 50yds, 1; I. C. Bellini, GOyds, 2; G. H. Wheelhouse, 220 yds, 3; E. D. Andrews, 40yds, 4. Won by a length. Time, 4.55 3-5. Final.—G. H. Wheelhouse 1, C. I. Gainsborough 2, E. M. Nicholson 3, J. G. Morris 4. Wheelhouse finished strongly to win by a length and a half, with the third rider three lengths back. Time, 4.59 3-5. SAMPSON AND WELLER WIN The Auckland Cycle Club staged two races at the Khyber Pass grass track last evening. 21 riders competing. Results :— li Mile Junior (six starters). —S. Weller, scr, 1; W. Bicknell, 210 yds. 2 : E. Redfern, 70yds, 3; C. Kafferty, 40yds, 4. Time, 4.5 4-ss. Won by two and a half lengths. One Mile Senior (15 .starters). —First heat: J. Sampson, 200 yds, 1 ; E. Cooper, 170 yds 2; W. Pratney. scr, 3; W. Hansen, 30yds, 4. Time. 2.24 4-5. Second heat: E. Coates; 210 yds. 1: W. Pinker. 70yds, 2: S. Kara. 120 yds. 3: G. Hall. 50yds, 4. Time 2.25. Final : J. Sampson 1, 1.. Cooper 12, W. Pratney 3, W. Pinker 4. Time, 2.24 3-5. Won by three lengths, Tsjth 1J 'lengths between second and third.