CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 236, 5 October 1935, Page 25

CYCLING.

AUCKLAND- AMATEUR CLUB. CONCLUSION OF 1935 ROAD RACING SEASON. The Auckland Amateur Cycle Club on Saturday aEternon concluded its'fifth road racing season at To Atutu with an 18mile combined junior and senior handicap. In the absence of M. Gamble, who was riding in the Palmerston North to Wellington 100-miler, Mai. Byrnes was the lone scratch rider, conceding 9.0 to A. Matthews, the limit man. The pace was clapped on from the start and proved the necessity for hat'd training. Ted Ivey rode a great race, his extra weight and stamina carrying him away from his bunch over the last few miles, to win by a. length in a hard sprint with Ken. Y'ates, who hung on to Ivey gamely. This was a particularly good performance, as this is Ted’s first season and is his second win, as he annexed a 17-miler off the 7.0 mark a few weeks ago. while on Saturday he rode off 6.30 and with an extra mile to go—a big improvement. Ken. Y'ates did well to get second, as he does not get much riding, but, nevertheless, is a tough man to beat. Ken. got a third in a 17-miler at the beginning of the season at Te Atatu. The third man home was Tom Ban field, one of the club's most persistent riders Tom won this race last year, but found the going a bit fast on Saturday. He would do well to have a few months’ rest now. Tom got third in the 18-mile restricted gear race at the beginning of the season and was fourth fastest in 53.5. Fourth man home was lan Rollinson, the hefty junior. For a first-season rider his performances on the road are remarkable, as he won a few weeks ago in a 19-mile Continental in 57.9. Fastest time was taken by Jack Price, who rode away from his co-niarker Laloli over the final lap and, sprinting strongly over the line, finished in the particularly fast time of 51 minutes dead. Jack is a strongly-built rider, with great stamina, and with a suitable cycle he should go well in the Auckland- 100-mile championship. He has this season won the club’s harbour race of 44 miles, a 36-miler and fastest, besides a number of minor places.

Logan Laloli was second fastest in 51.27. The distance was a bit short for this rider, who won the Takapuna 50-miler, was fastest in the 100 kilometre club race, has a number of second and third fastest and minor placings. He should be a hard ridet to beat iu the 100-miler next Saturday.

Ylal. Byrnes put up third fastest in 52.0 dead. This rider is evidently getting fit for the track season. A big improvement. however, is shown in his road riding, for he has never been considered as a road racing man, and to be on a back mark for all races he has entered for shows that he is no “mug.” Other riders worthy of mention are W. Barry, Sid Windsor, A. Matthews. Vein. Gray, Ernie Tucker, Jack Speight, Bob Cullen. Via. Thompson. Richard Linn, Len Subritzky, Keith Clark. Vic. Ivey, Allan Birchall and last, but by no means least, Ylervyn T. Gamble.

Of these William Barry, who has always ridden off a tough mark, has obtained a number of minor placings anil second time honours. His luck has not always been the best in races and considering that he has other interests apart from cycling, he has performed well. Sid. Windsor is a hard nut to break; although only of small build, he obtained a fastest time while still a junior, then turned senior and won two races, was second in another, and all off tight marks. A. Matthews, the 1935 junior unpaced club champion, lias now turned senior and has frequently been making his presence felt in some of the senior events. He is a much-improved rider this season. Vern. Gray (the aeroplane man), winnz’’ of the club B grade championship, is a well-built rider, who has been in the placings quite a lot. Next season he should be very close to scratch. Ernie E. F. Tucker should always carry a rabbit’s foot round with him. Bad luck lias dogged him in a number of events, lint, nevertheless, he has been consistent and always does his best. However, he has won this season besides a number of fastest 'times. .Jack Speight won two races in succession in the beginning of the season, but has not ridden enough lately to keep up the good performances. Bob Cullen and Vin. Thompson have been sportingly consistent and have put up sonic good times and been placed. Dick Linn, the popular club secretary, thrives on tomato juice, ami should do well in the 100-miler if adequately supplied with the essence. His riding is consistent and his times have improved this season. Len Subritzky is one of the club's newest ana most improved riders. He has only just joined, bn,; has obtained a second, a third and a second fastest already. Keith Clark, the merry junior, has performed well and won the 109 kilometre event two weeks ago. Vic. Ivey, although not possessing similar build as his brothci' led. still has the stamina. He finished second in, the 100 kilometre, second in the harbour cn.impionship, besides othe” places. Alian Birchall has not been in ti.lining long enough to stand the pace, but is still consistent. And now, a few words about our scratch man, Ylervyn Gamble, “the uncrowned king of the Waikato. Tills rider has impressed every cycling enthusiast with his performances, but perhaps none have been more impressed than those who hove been matched against him. No one yet knows just what this rider can do; his speed is remarkable. Riding from scratch, he has gained first place in a number of club races, annexed tlie harbour championship, the 23%-milc unpaccd championship and has numerous fastest times to his credit. He shall go far in the world of cycling in New Zealand.

The club wishes to state its appreciation to those officials who have helped to make the season a success, namely, Messrs. E. T. King. F. Banfiekl, W. Barry, sen., E. Tucker, sen.. C. Keefe, A. Bowen, and the lady helpers and the St. John Ambulance Brigade, also the club treasurer. William Peaks, who on Saturday gained first and fastest in thc officials’ race.