Cycling.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 261, 4 November 1933, Page 6 (Supplement)

Cycling.

Auckland Club Events. — Seniors' Close Finish. The Auckland Cycle Club's road events last week were decided in showery weather, otherwise the conditions were quite good for racing, and the times returned were satisfactory. The fields were on ths small.side, but this is generally to be expected towards the close of a strenuous road season.

Nine started in the junior event, of eight miles, the winner of which proved to be a new rider, C. Hansen (3.30). who, by the way. is a brother of "Rik" Hansen, and under life tuition should develop into a. good rider. He rode strongly to work his way to the front and win by a margin of 13s. He lapped in 8.45, 8.25 and S.4S, time 25.58 —good times for a beginner's first ride. Billy Bicknell (2.45), second, was most unlucky in puncturing in the last lap just after he had caught the winner. He procured another machine to finish on. Ho lapped in 8.13, 5.17 and. 5.56, time 25.20, which is his best effort to date, and would have been much bettor only for the mishap. L. Redfern (scr) gained third place and fastest time by inches in a great finish with Gibbs, McKenzie and McDonald. The latter was only beaten for the position right on the line. Redfern lapped in 7.41, 7.39 and 8.23, time 23.43. He, Gibbs and McKenzie teamed real well.

There were 15 starters in the senior 25-miler, the finish of which was most exciting, and one of the best of the season. Four riders entered the home stretch together, and in the final sprint went over the line with inches between them. Alf. Maekrcll (6.30) got the decision from Jack Stewart (7.15), with Harry Farrer (4 30) and Sam Sargent (G. 30) third and fourth respectively. Mackrell has been out of hick of late, and hid success was a deserving one. Ho seems to have freshened up again, and 6hould be rifht for the opening of the track. His time was 72.41. Stewart, wlk> lias improved greatly of late, finished with a rattle, and Mackrell just held him off. His time was 73.27. Farrer had a hard ride in getting up, and was all in at the finish. He made a frame effort, however, leading out in the sprint, but could not sustain his effort. He is leading for the points trophy, and tried his best to better his position. He clocked 70.43. Sargent is another greatly improved rider, who should do better" next season, as this is his first on the road. It looked as if he left his run a bit late, as he was flying at the finish. "Rik" Hansen, (scr), who is back again from WJiakatane. clocked fastest time, 00.30. He is in splendid form at present, and got to within Ift? of the winner in fifth place. To-day will see the close of the road season; really it should have ended last week, but .-. postponed event had to be decided to complete the programme. It has not been decided as yet when the track season will ope.i, but in all probability a s'.art \vi" be made a fortnight to-day. T;:e opening junior track event will be for the Healey Helmet,