CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 129, 3 June 1935, Page 13

CYCLING.

CENTRE'S RACE. THREE GRADES DECIDED. On Saturday the. Auckland Amateur Cycling .Centre held three Continental type races. The three groups of riders started off in bunched formation. Weather conditions were good, but the metalled road surfaces from the end of the concrete nt Henderson to Kumeu and back, roughly 24 miles, were bad. Loose, unscreened metal, recently graded, left a surface entirely unsuited to racing cycle tyres and retirements through punctures accounted for most of the 15 who "fell out." The race was from Point Chevalier to Kumeu and back, a distance of 37 miles. Dust was also a nuisance to the riders, who did not appreciate passing motorists at all. The D grade left'first. There were 12 in this, namely, D. R. Eraser, G. G. Robertson, L. Whyle, A. Hardraan, L. B. Howard, A. O. Matthews, G. R. Purdom, R. G. Whitley, L. K. Ella, R. W. Alexander, I. F. Williamson and I. C. Garea. At the Kumeu turn, 18J miles, Williamson, Alexander, Elia, Whitley, Purdom and Howard were the leaders. They took just 10 seconds over the hour for the rough, hilly going. On the homo run Whitley drew ahead nnd, continuing on his own, won his grade easily by 35s from Alexander, who broke his right hand pedal clip en route. Successful D grade riders were:— Ray G. Whitley (Manukau), 2h 1m 13s 1 R. W. Alexander (Papatoetoe), 2h lm 4Ss 2 L. B. Howard (Lynndnle), 2h lm 49s . 3 G. R. Purdom (Manukau), 2h 15m 33s 4 C GRADE RACE. Ten started in this section. Thev were A. E. Divvies, W. Crocker, W. R. Walker, N. Helliwell, S. Thompson. C. I. French, T. N. Hayes, C. W. Kirton, E. Lovcll and D. W. Lawson. | At the turn Walker and Helliwell were 'with the D grade men, whom they had given 5.0 start. They took 55.10 to do the ISJ miles. Both riders paced well together and for the last ten miles shared the lead. In a fairly fast finish Walker led Helliwell over the lino by two lengths, While Lawson finished 2.0 later. Placed C grade men were :— Win. R. Walker (Manukau), Ih 51m 30s 1 Norm. Helliwell (Lynndale), lh 51m 31s 2 Dave W. Lawson (Manukau), lh 53m 37s 3 Arnie E. Da vies (Lynndale), 2h 7m 4s 4 B GRADE. Only nine started in this group. Starters were Bob Gallagher, Chas. Clarke, Leu Beuth (who punctured), Gordon Cunningham, A. Elia, J. G. Morris, P.. P. Oliver, R. L. Francis, and It. Campbell. This section never appeared to hurry much, for the leaders at the Kumeu turn, Gallagher, Clarke, Campbell, Cunningham, and Beuth took 5G.40. On the home run Clarke and Gallagher, gradually wore down Campbell and Cunningham, while Beuth punctured when going well. Gallagher outsprinted Clark In a hard, long, sprint, to win this grade. Placed B graders were :— Bob Gallagher (Manukau), lh 54m 5Ss 1 Chas. A. Clarke (Manukau), lh 54m 59s 2 G. Cunningham (Manukau), lh 58m 34s 3 R. Campbell (Lynndale), lh 59m 37s . 4 v AUCKLAND CLUB. The Auckland Cycle Club's road programme was advanced' a further stage on Saturday at Panmure with races for seniors, juniors and ladies. Racing conditions were perfect, and good fields competed, 36 riders starting in all. The .result of the 10-mile junior race was: J. Stuart (2.30), time 30.27, 1; M. Cardwell (3.0). 2; B. Harvey (scr), 3; F. Pearce (30s), 4. B. Harvey (scr) recorded fastest time in 25.18. Twenty-four seniors started over a distance of 30J miles, an out-and-home course being used. Result:—S. Hayes (2.50), time 80.44, 1; R. Watson (1.30), 2; L. Redfern (3.15.), 3; J. Sampson (4.15), 4. F. Prior (scr) and R. Watson (1.30) recorded fastest time in 85.25. The ladies' race of 0J miles resulted :— Mrs. S. Fussell (3.15), 1; Mrs. E. Harrison (scr), fastest time 21.0, 2. GLOUCESTER CLUB. The Gloucester Cycling Club held a hill climb up Mangere Mountain in fine weather. The track was wet in parts, but good times were recorded. Results of juniors: L. Barr, time .3:20, 1 ; W. Bicknell, 3.25, 2; R. Hardley, 3.40 2-5, 3 ; A. Goff, 3.44, 4. Seniors: Stan Weller, time 3.19, 1; A. Brass, 3.25, 2; R. Craig, 3.30 2-5, 3: L.. Phillips, 3.50 1-5, 4. THAMES CLUB. Weather conditions were' again favourable for the Thames Cycling Club's races on Saturday and times were up to the standard. The 18-mile senior event resulted : —R. C. Burr, 4.15, 1 ; S. Jones, 4.15, 2; L,. Bethel, los, 3. The fastest time was registred by W. Burr, 49.38. The three miles junior event was won by B. Callaghan, 15s, 1; L. Sverstrip, 15s, 2; R. Hitchcock, 455, 3. Next Saturday's evenn will be 21 miles. HAMILTON CLUB. The Hamilton Amateur Sports Club held a road cycle race to Eureka and back on Saturday. 21 miles. Result:—T. Crawford 1.0, 1; H. Hawkins, 1.0, 2; McOnie, 2.15, 3. Crawford's time, 5,4.24, was fastest.