AUCKLAND AMATEURS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 113, 15 May 1935, Page 16

AUCKLAND AMATEURS.

By getting first and fastest in the restricted gear race, .Mow. Gamble net a new record for the club. Previously lirei place and fastest time had been won onlv twice by the same rider, but this ma km Gam'ble'fl third double placing. The time, too, was fast considering the nature of the race—in fact, a bare six irl.utca slower than Gamble's own record tor the distance. The advantages of a free wheel in this type of race were obvious, for fast pedalling on a small geur ia beyond the capabilities of most.

As for the race itself, it was splendidly handicapped, the- winning bunch grouping together scarcely half a mile from the finish. Although it ia not in the beet interests of the sport that the ecratch riders should alw'ays win, nevertheless the opinion is gaining ground. that in road races the fastest time prize in itself is not sufficient inducement for a backmarker to ride hie utmost. After all, the boys are in the sport for the fun of the game, and hopelees pursuit of a bunched field week atter week (even if the time prize is assured) will make any rider stale. Handicapper Jloshiem, however, ie evidently up with the times, and is to be congratulated on the close finishes of the races.

There are several young riders who are performing well at prerient, and one oldtimer (in cycling years only!), namely, C. (laiiisborough. After several seasons off the bike, this rider has decided to race again, and a little careful training was rewarded with a fourth place last Saturday. Among the younger riders, the names of A. Matthews, S. Windsor, C Keefe, and T. Banfield are prominent. Keefe and Windsor in particular should figure prominently in the Orewa "chain* pioriflhip."

Matthew's effort in winning the junior race was all the mole creditable eeeing that lie was obliged to race on a borrowed machine (Jack Speight's). It was) rumoured that Speight would have willingly lent it even if he had had to race hiniHcli. A little more solid training yet, Jack!

(J. Keefe was unlucky to be caught by scratch man Gamble, for otherwise he would have won. Aβ it was, he gained third faeteet time after a very unselfish ride.

S. Windsor, who gained fastest time and second place in the junior event oi nine miles, is the little flyer who scooped the pool in the D grade scratch racw Iwt season. Provided he does not overdo his cycling, Windsor will be a very bruiini/l senior.

Next Saturday the open race will be unrestricted ami over a distance of 23% miles. The road programmes will shortly be available from secretary Linn. From now on the races will increase in distance, as it i« the intention of the club to "down" Manukau in the centre races. More clubs make for greater competition; this is one reason why the standard oi cycling in Auckland if higher than anywhere in New Zealand.

TAKAPUNA CLUB. FIXTUKES. Saturday, May 18.—2G Miles, Albany and Back, Farmers' Cup. Sunday, May in.—Nonstop Run to Orpwa and Bnck, leaving Devonnort iu two teams, fast and slow. The event held last Saturday was of 22% miles:, six laps of the lake circuit. Ideal weather, the. fast course and the exceptionally fit condition of the riders all combined to produce very fast times.

P. McCavery (5.45) and A. Chaplin (5.0) rode very solidly to hold their lead for the first four laps, with the niiddlemarkerfl steadily grouping. The fifth lap found the whole field; with the exception of K. .Tones and S. Laurence (455), in one big bunch, and moving very fast. In tho last lap A. Parker (1.30) assured himself of the first placing by jumping the field. fully a quarter of a mile from the post, and holding a wonderfully sustained sprint to cross the lino with ten lengths to spare from R. Eagles (2.0), who defeated T. Bassett. (2.45) for second place by 11s. A. Gunn, riding his best race this season, finished fourth.

A. Parker also gained fastest time, after a really brilliant performance, his time, 60.7, being the third fastest ever recorded for this course and distance. J. Clark, of Manukau Club, did it last year just !!7s taster and Ces. Johnson, riding for Lynridale (now a leading Auckland professional rider), holds the 22%-mile record tor this course with tho outstanding time 0f,f>7.20. The popular club captain, R. Eagles, made second fastest time in U0.30.

When it is realised that the average time made by scratch men for this race is 02.0, the times recorded by Parker, Eagles, It. Jones (C 0.45), S. Laurence (t>0.45 1-5), A. Gunn (61.31) and T. Bassett (61.35), prove that these riders certainly excelled themselves in this event. The back-markers, E. Jones and S. Laurence, both of whom are very fit, teamed well together, but had no chance of overhauling the field after it had closed up.

With the club's 50-miler drawing close, most of the club runs are being held over the Orewa course, over 70 riders, representing various clubs, being: counted during part of last Sunday. Nominations are now closed and riders will be looking forward to the appearance of the handicaps, which should be out next week. A pleasing feature of this event is the number of southern pedallers who have entered, and although the event does not carry the North Island title, it should servo as an indicator to the possible winner of the championship, which will be staged by tho Auckland Centre, over a distance of 100 miles later in the season.

The club will hold a 20-mile race next Saturday over the Albany and lake course for the Farmers' Cup. Sir. Gallagher lias declared the following handicaps:—L. Denning. E. Williams. A. Parker. S. Laurence. scr; V. Blomfield. K. Eagles. 1.30; B. Oliver, I'. Hulbert, 2.0; G. Tow art, I). Keating, li. Balsett. 3.0; A. Gunn, T. Bassett, 3.30; I'. Stipieh, A. Chaplin, (i.O; L. Coleman. E. Whiting, 7.30; P. SteC'avery, 8.30; J. Gemmell, 13.0. GLOUCESTER CLUB. FIXTURES. May IS—7} Miles Junior Time Trial. May IS—'Jo Miles Senior Time Trial. May -o—Juuior and Senior Out and Home. Tdeal racing conditions prevailed for the Gloucester Cycling Club's road events at Slangere on Saturday. There was no wind and fast times were recorded. In both the junior and senior races new records were set up. It is u pleasing feature in the junior division to see new riders turning out each week. Fred Ruthlidge (4.0), who has recently joined the club, was the winner of the five miles race. With a liberal mark he never gave anyone etae a chance, and after winning easily was only 12s slower than fastest time. The Bicknell Bros., Jack and Bill (1.0) fought a great finish for the minor places. Bill won in a fast sprint to take second place and fastest time. His time of 15.33 was the fastest yet put up for that distance. Jack was third, being once again in a place, but he lias yet to record a win. Sam Sargent (2.30) showed a return to form by annexing the senior 10% miles in 48.56. Keeping the pace on all the way he won nicely from Keith SlcKenzie (4.0). Sam has ridden consistently since joining the club, and goes well over a longer distance. Keith SlcKenzie, second, went liis best race to date, but it still being early in the reason, he is bound to show more speed and add more laurels. The scratch trio, Percy Bicknell, Clarrie Kae and Alt'. Brass, went for it right froin the gun. Taking lap for lap and never letting the pace slacken, they worked their way into third position. Bicknell won the sprint home from the other two to register record time in 45.51. All three are riding at their top now and some more good work should be forthcoming. Seventeen riders left on the club run to Slercer on Sunday. The club secretary, on a borrowed machine, set a merry pace. Next Saturday's run will be to Pukekohe. BEACH HAVEN CLUB. The Beach Haven Club held its usual meeting on Saturday, the race being in the nature of a time trial and sealed handicap. The weather was ideal. When the riders drew for places the result was a complete reversal of their usual handicap positions. The distance was 12 miles, three laps of the circuit. The time trial resulted in a win for J. Culpan (35.43), > with J. Slarris (36.53 2-5) second and L. Cooper (37.5 1-5) third. Culpan's time was a record for the course. _ L. Cooper (2.30) was the winner in the sealed handicap, J. Culpan (ss) was second and L. Elia (1.0), 36.38 3-5, third. Isext Saturday the club will hold a race over a distance of 25% miles. LYNNDALE AMATEURS. Handicaps declared for the T.ynndale A A. and C.C. Junior and senior races to be decldevl at New Lynn on Saturday at - o'clock :— Juniors (9 miles).—H. Itobortson. A. Davies, (i. Hollou. G. Hclllwcll, J. Hutton, scr; 15. Hansen. C. Crisp, H. Jason. 1.0 ; C. lireoze, P. Johnson. K. Dowsing, li. Carblirv, 1.45; K. Can-, \Y. Williams. 2.15; G. ' Stewart. O. Webb, 11. Hawkc, (.. Cockrano, 11. Skinner, R. K.rclior, J. Knox. L. WliyJe. 3.15; H. Atchison. 3.30; J. Bassett. F. Lupton, W. Burrows, o.O; 1.. Ilawke. 7.15. Seniors (IS miles) —S. Allerson, I-.. Hughes. K. Hnnkin. It. Campbell. Gooder, sit : \V. Willis. 1!. Scott. N. Helliwell, 1.. Itoberts,' E. Smith. K. Bates. G. Cook, 2.45; "• f'orr. A.' F. Johnson, 11. Norris, 40; G. Ctinunings, J. Scott. 5.15; W. Ktrclier, 1.. Farraiit. 11. lirinton. A. Hardman. J. Ainswortli, 0.45; .T. Baldwin. .T. Iluxfablc. G. Kobinson. li. Howard, 7.15; C. Caddy. 0.0; C. May, M. Watson, K. Vaughan". 10.30; I!. Munns, 33.0; li. McCurdy, 15.30.