CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 150, 27 June 1934, Page 15

CYCLING.

WEEK-END ROAD' RACES.

WITH THE AMATEURS.

MANUKAU CLUB.

FIXTURES. Saturday, Juno 30.—22} Miles Senior, Five Miles Junior, 2 p.m. Sunday, July I.—Club Run. Meet Domain 10.30 a.m. Saturday, July 7.—Centre Races. The prospect of riding around a 2%-mile circuit ten times and with a cold, southerly wind to battle against for one half of each round, was not an encouraging one, but 29 senior members of the Manukau Club were enthusiastic enough to attempt the task. The race became an exciting affair with one lap to go, when Jim Fanch and'D. G. Church, both of whom rode oil' 8.30, and had led for eight laps, were only 28s ahead of a big bunch of twelve distance riders of proven ability. Both riders spent their last ounce of energy on the hill section, and a mile from the finish were caught, and then followed the bunch home. A terifically last wind-assisted sprint saw Gordon Wheelhouse win by three lengths. Wheelhouse is a big, heavily built rider for one of 19 years of age. He has plenty of speed, amide stamina for distance work, and a really useful sprint and full knowledge when to use it. His time on Saturday was 70.50, 40s outside the record. Keith N. Clark is a terror for gaining minor placings. During the past three years ho has had i 4 placings and one win credited to him. Last week he was second oil' 2.30, but put up the best ride of his career and clocked fastest time, 70.21, in addition. Keith, therefore, adds his name to the list of the few Manukau riders who have secured such honours in club events. Only inches behind Clark was his markmate, Jack R. Hall, who was third. Jack worked well with Clark and their combined, unselfish pacing was a treat to watch. Jack still holds the 25-mile record at 70.4. Ho is only of a average build, but a real goer and always a trier. Evidently Tom L. Nixon, fourth off 3.0, is a dangerous and speedy stayer. Tom won the previous week, and, had he not known that Wheelhouse was a sprinter of note he might have done better. Viv. R. Ellis, of time trial fame, proved he could not bo shaken, likewise, Kay Vernon and D. T. Riddell, the latter of whom trains well despite difficulties. Cliff N. Gillespie, seventh, off 3.0, deserves praise for the way he worked to I get the leaders. "Without Cliff, it is! doubtful whether Jim Fanch and his; friend, Church, both free-wheel artists, \vould have been caught. If only Sel. G. Webster, sixth, could cultivate a sprint, more would be heard of him. He is a fine little sport and a good rider. F. K. Gatland,' winner of the 15-miler a fortnight ago, was again iu the big finishing bunch, and has proved a faster pedaller than his hofty and older brother, S. K. Gatland, who just recently returned from Wellington. Ileg. Baston, an old-time member, who remembers the "good old clays" at Mangere's path-like course, re-entered competition after a season's spell. He finished, but that's all. Ever since King's Birthday, when he got into second place in the "Hamilton 50," Cyril J. Cronk has performed better, and was well up in Saturday's big bunch. After the race popular long-marker Jim Fanch remarked that if first prize had been £1000 ho could not have gone any faster on that final lap, and Friend Church was in the same exhausted plight. However, Fanch had the satisfaction of beating the club captain, Bill Morris, on actual riding time, by 355. Dropping tactics are not much use if one cannot catch the bunch ahead, as Jack Clark found after exerting himself enormously to drop Lionel Nicholson on tho second lap, and big Lcs. Dwight at i the start of tho third. Jack had a lone rido from then on, and clocked 71.40. Lcs. Dwight stated on retiring that he intends to have a fair spell from hard racing. Edgar Raper hod hard luck in puncturing on the fifth la.p, while Chas. Clarke, a distanco rider of renown, adopted forceful measures in the first ten miles and then retired. Big "Bing" Crosby, the rider of tho sparkling nickel-plated cycle, is decidedly improving. Unless they appear on paper to have an easy chance of holding off scratch riders Chas. Dwight and Geo. Holland the rest of the juniors will not race. Last week was such an occasion evidently, for only eight raced. Consistent little Jim Archer won with only 90s start. Ho has had six placings this year, due, mainly, to the fact that ho rides every race and cares not a cuss for his handicaps. Chas. Dwight rode alone from scratch to clock the best time in 21.27, and to finish 23s after Archer. Charles rode well to catch Joe Gillbanks, 30s, and to burn the latter off after' a couple of furiously fast miles. Next Saturday entries close for the centre's junior and senior races. The senior race is over 3G miles and the junior over •15 miles. The team's challenge shield will be again up for competition in the senior event.