Cycling.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 237, 7 October 1933, Page 2 (Supplement)

Cycling.

Auckland Club Events. — L. Coates Improved Rider.

Tho Auckland Cyclc Club's road events last week-end were decided in beautiful weather, but a strong wind on a. section of the course hindered fast racing. The

lipids were again strong, -30 riders com-

pleting. Nine started in the SIJ miles junior race, which culminated in one of the most exciting finishes of the season in this division. J. McDonald (2.4.3) and J. Bicknell (2.15) joined forces early, and, setting a good pace, gave tho back men a hard ride to get them: Into the home stretch came the limit boys locked together, with four back-markers a fewlengths back in hot pursuit. Gibbs, from well back, came fast, but the leaders hung on well Tor McDonald to score by half a wheel, with Giblxs a tvrc behind second man. The two midget limit boys put up a great ride, and thoroughly deserved their success. This was McDonald's second ride only. He lapped in 9.20 and 9.15, time 18.35, while Bicknell, who is as consistent as ever, clocked 8.55 and 9.16, time 18.0. K. Gibbs (15s) also secured fastest time, 10.0, lapping in 7.55 and 8.11- —a good ride. He has improved out of all recognition, and must now take his place on the honour mark. Twenty-seven seniors started in their 30 miles event for the Kud'ge Shield, and a good finish between .six riders was also witnessed in this race. The limit men and two off the 0.30 mark clapped on the pace in the concluding stages, and had the finish to themselves. L. Coates (11.0), the winner, made a long sprint of the finish, and hung on splendidly to score by a length. He is a first-season man who has been showing marked improvement of late, and, being of the right build, should develop into a powerful rider with further racing. He certainly caught the others napping with his extra long sprint. His time was 93.11. Eric Harrison (0.30), the previous week's winner, again rode splendidly to get second, and there is no mistaking the fact he is right at his best again. He and his co-marker, Fieldsend, put in some great work to get the leaders. Harrison's time for the distance was 55.42. '•'Chiller" Re-id (12.30), third, was second to Prutncy in this event last year, and a '♦in for him would have been popular. He, as well as the previously mentioned, should be in gooil form for the big race, the same applying to P. Stewart (12.30), fourth, who has been showing up well in the few races he has contested. Ken Matliieson (scr) gained time honours, but only bv t the margin of 4s from Weller (2.15), his time being 57.54. He had a lone rido for half the journey, while the latter lost time also when Bicknell came down.

At the time of writing, entries for the classic race next week from Cambridge to Auckland have not closed, therefore one cannot gain any idea of the quality of the field. From information gained there is every likelihood of 27 Auckland members competing, together with eight from Whakatane. and other representatives from Tc Kuiti, Taumamnui, Waihi, Gisborne, Taihape, Waharoa, Thames and further south. Ccc. Johnson (Auckland) received 30m in the AVaimateChristcliurch 14"> miler to Jay, and off that mark should go a good race. The distance should not trouble him.

TO-DAY'S RACES

K. McKenzle Best Junior.—S. Weller First and Fastest Senior. Tdenl conditions prevailed for Ilic Aucklancl Cycle Club's road events at Tamaki this afternoon. The juniors raced over a distance of eight miles and the seniors l(j miles. Riders numbering 2- competed. Result. of junior race :— K. MclCenzie (1.0), 24.4S T>. Red fern yscr) - .1. McDonald (8.0) -T. Bicknell (2.45) 4 Fastest time was recorded by I*. Kedfern. scr, in 21.-1. Won by 33 seconds, with two lengths between second and third. The seniors storied thus: R. Stuart, 0.0: C. Keid, 5.15; J. Rollerson. F. Hall. A. Mackrell, 4.15; L. Coates, X. Henley, 3.45; F. Fieldsend. 3.15; 11. Farrer, E. Harrison. 2.13: W. Pinker. 1.4."; S. Weller. 1.15; M. Hibburt, A. Brass, W. Archer, .oOs : W. Pratney, K. Mathieson, scr. At the half-way mark the riders passejl thus: Stewart, 22.0: Reid. 22.31: MaekrelJ, Coates, IFealey. Hall, Rollerson. 23.0: Harrison, Fieldsend. Farrer. 23.28: Pinker. Weller, 24.0: Brass. 24.53: Hibburt. 25.1 > Mathiesou. 25.21. Two miles to go, Stewart still led. 25s ahead of a bunch or eight comprising Rollerson. ITall. Harrison. Mackrell. Reid. Coates, Fieldsend, Ilealey, with Pinker and Weller 15s later. Weller broke away a mile from home after getting the leaders, and came oh to score by 7'* yards from a bunch, of whom Contes clitl best <0 beat Pinker by half a length. Result :— S. Weller M.im ' L. Coates (3.45) ~ W. Pinker (1.45) " E. Harrison (2.15) "* S. Weller (i.xS) also returned fastest time in 05.24.