CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 104, 4 May 1936, Page 15

CYCLING.

AUCKLAND CENTRE'S RACE. HADDON lIAWKE WINS. TOM RIDDELL FASTEST. The Auckland Amateur Cycling Centre opened its 1930 winter roatf racing season with a race of 20 miles. The weather conditions were the worst ever experienced. Hail, thunder and a westerly gale made the race a gruelling test, and It was a creditable performance to even linish. On the way out from Point Clievaller to the Hobsonville turn the riders met with several showers, one of which carried heavy hail. At times progress was painfully slow and when the riders were shle 011 to the gale they had extreme difficulty in keeping on their correct side of the road. On the return the wind was of immense assistance for 10 of the 1-1 miles, and on the descent of the concrete surfaced Waikumete Hill most of the riders freewheeled at speeds arouna the 40 m.p.li. mark. The race started punctually at 2.30, when Mr. E. Gallagher sent off the five limit men, who were followed by GO others. The scratch men were Jack Clark. Stan Alderson, Tom Itiddell, Colin Gooder and Graham Hughes. Among the many motorists who followed the race were Cyril Pluto, the well known Australian boxer ami 10-mllcs West Australian track cycling champion, and his mate, Reg. Hickey. The first riders at the Hobsonville turn were Hawke, Smith and C. H. I'icknell, who were a mile ahead of a bunch of 16, most of whom were indistinguishable under a coat of mud. The first of the scratch men to turn were Tom liiddell and Jack Clark, followed a hundred yards behind by Stan Alderson, and then came Colin Gooder. Hawke and Smith showed the lead throughout on the homeward journey, and were never worried, although Stites would possibly have got much nearer hail he not been held up with slow moving motor traffic from New Lynn to Avondale. On this wind-assisted stretch the riders were racing to the tunc of 30 m.p.h. and over. Hawke had no need to sprint at the finish for he won by over 50yds from Smith, while Stites came in 39s later. Tom Itiddell came in alone to linish 19th and 3.35 after the winner. Results:— H. If. Hawke (Lynndalc), 11.0, riding time 84.0 1 W. H. Smith (Manukau), 11.0, 84.5 .. 2 Tlieo Stites (Manukau), 8.30, 82.15 .. 3 G. Helliwcll (Lynndalc), ,5.0, 79.27 • W. T. Willis (Lynndale), 3.0, 77.28; Keith Clark (Manukau), 3.0, 77.29; Len Beuth (Manukau), 3.0, 77.30; Norm. Helliwcll

(Lynudale), 3.0, 77.31; Cyril Cronk (Mann kau), G.O, 50.32; V. B. Gray (Northern) 4.0, 78.33.

Tom Klddell (scr), of Manultau, who finished in nineteenth place, returned the fastest time, 76.32. Second fastest time was made by Gordon Helliwell (Lynndale), who clocked 77.27, and third fastest by \V. T. Willis (Lynndale), 77.28. The winner, Haddon Hawke, is 16 years of age. He rode from the limit mark and finished very strongly. AUCKLAND CLUB. The 1036 road season of the Auckland Cycle Club was opened on Saturday at Panruure in real wintry weather, a wind of gale force accompanied by heavy hail showers making conditions unpleasant.. Kesults:— 6.J Miles Junior.—D. Hills (2.30), time 21.46, 1; C. Kellett (2.45), 2; It. Beeto (2.45), 3; L. Mitchell (40s), 4. L. Mitchell (40s) gained fastest time in 20.57 16J Miles Senior.—C. Knight (2.0), time Knight (5.0). 2; J. Sampson (2.0), 3; B. Watson (1.30), 4. R. Watson 11.30) gained fastest time in 50.51. GLOUCESTER CLUB. The Gloucester Cycle Club held the first races of the winter season at Mangere over a course of 11 miles. Results were:—ll. Stacey (5.30), 37.40, 1; D. King (4.30), 36.35, 2; R. Shearing (5.30), 38.4, 3; J. Bicknell (4.30). 37.23, 4. Fastest time was done by D. King. WHAKATANE CLUB. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHAKATANE, Saturday. The Whakatane Cycle Club opened its season to-day with a 105 mile road race. Resu!' : —S. Taylor (3.301. 33.47. 1: J. Ko'lii'son (3.30), 33.48, 2: P. Aberliardt (1. >) 3. Fastest time, 31.14, was registered by .-.hprliurdt.