CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 69, 22 March 1934, Page 19

CYCLING.

AUCKLAND CLUB. The Auckland Cycle Club's mid-weekly events were staged at Khyber Pass grass track last evening under favourable conditions. Fast times were recorded. Results:— One Mile Junior Handicap (7 starters). — ,L. Mitchell, scr. 1; 18. Harvey, 15yds, 2; C. Sneller, 60yds. 3 ; L. Craddock, 15yds, 4. Time, 2.37 4-3. The winner, pedalling well, went into the lead in the final lap to win l>y a clear length, two lengths between second and third. One Mile Senior Handicap (14 starters). — First heat: K. Rafferty. 03yds, 1; S. Ward, 20yds, 2; \V. l'ratne.v, -oyds, .'i; G. Mackrell, 200 yds, 4. Time, 2.31. Second heat: J. Cooney, 55yds, 1 ; P. Bicknell, 20yds, 2; W. Archer. 03yds, 3; S. Hayes, 85yds, 4. Time, 2.27 2-5. Final: J. Cooney 1, S. Hayes 2, C. Rafferty 3, S. Ward 4, Time, 2.30. A good race between the first three placed men over the final lap saw Cooney go to the front and hold his position to win by half a length, third man a length away. Bicknell fell.

TAKAPUNA CLUB. Last Saturday's race of 18J miles (five laps), held over the usual course, provided L. Denning, on the limit, with another opportunity of gaining first place. Although off a'tighter mark than that of the.previous week, Denning won again in a very similar manner, holding Ills lead, in company with SI. Hathaway and P. Bowden, throughout the race. These three riders paced well together, but Denning apparently had no desire to try himself out in a shorter sprint with his co-markers, as he started his sprint, and left them, well before the finish. * v Plaeings were as follow: L. Denning, 6.30, time 57.58, 1: M. Hathaway, 6.30, 58.6. 2 ; P. Bowden, <5.80, 58.15, 3. L. Dick, 1.45, gained fourth place and fastest time in 03.31. After Dick came N. Evans and 11. Evans, to be followed by the rest of the field. „ . A. Lydford, C». Townrt, and V. Blomfield went off from scratch together, and covered the first lap in fair time, 0.57. In the second lap Blomfleld's machine gave him trouble and caused him to slow up considerably, allowing Lydford to get away on his own. The third lap found A. Grant, who was unable to continue owing to a spill, V. Blomfield, who had retired, and K. Jones, who, after doing his first lap in 0.58, had found it quite sufficient, all on the side line. O. Durbin, G. Towart and A. Lvdford were unable to make tip much on the field and were all unpaced during the grenter part of the race. - Durbin and G. Laurence, who were having their first road race this year, were not much help to their co-markers, and will need to bend their energies into gaining form. Both finished the course but found the going tough. L. Denning, I'. Bowden, L. Dick and M. Hathaway are a fine group of keen pedallers. All ride steadily and are consistent pace-makers. Denning is apparcently going to be a tough nut for the back-markers to crack, and with more riding experience may prove a worthy junior representative of this club in centre events.

L. Dick is in splendid form, and any further improvement will put him In line for plaeings in the bigger events to come off in the near future.

Next Saturday the club will hold a 221mile (six laps of 33 miles) race over the usual circuit. Handicaps declared by Mr. Gallagher are as follow: V. Blomfield, G. Towart, B. Oliver, A. Lydford, scr; I/. Dick, 1.30; O. Durbin, G. Evans. 2.0; R. Jones, 3.0; G. Laurence, L. Denning, N. Evans, 5.0; P. Bowden, M. Hathaway, 7.0.