CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 207, 2 September 1936, Page 19

CYCLING.

WITH THE AMATEURS.

MANUKAU CLUB CAPTAIN'S CUP. Despite tbe wild west wind last Saturday 39 stalwarts lined up for the first annual race for the Captain's Cup, a gift from Ernie Andrews, one-time club captain, and winner of the first race over the old Mangere course in 1926. The cup was very appropriately won by Charlie Clarke, whose road racing experience is longer than that of any other active member of the club. Charlie won his first road race 011 May 15, 1926, when Frank Casey, now president, was fastest in 39.59. He rode off 12.0 last Saturday, and the hard slog against the gale just suited iiis strong style, lie worked exceedingly hard to gain his decisive win by 1.3 L from Jim Calder and Theo Stites, his two fellow-markers, whose collective experience has doubled. Charlie's fame as a distance rider is known throughout the North Island. lie won the Palmerston North to Wellington race of 102 miles in 1930, and has seldom missed competing in this famous event. Tie is a popular figure wherever he goes for liis ready wit and cheerfulness. Like 19 others, he used a three-speed gearJim Calder, second, had started in only three races this season, but with more experience will become a first-class roadman. Theo Stites was racing in his fifth event this year. He is often referred to as "Sitting Bull" by his clubmates, but on this occasion he helped considerably to force the pace. Ron Trincr has started his racing career with almost the same success as Jack Wade achieved in his earlier association with the game. .Hon was easily fastest with a time of 110.3 for the difficult 34 miles from Devonport to Henderson. lie found the variable goal's a distinct advantage despite all that Tom Riddell stated at the commencement of the race. Tom retired over the closing stages. After 30 miles of hard riding Tom appeared as if he would benefit from some refreshment. Taking a drink or light food in races above 25 miles is' quite common in road events in Kngland, where time trialling is the chief phase of the sport. The 100-mile champion Lionel Nicholson found the Albany Hill stilter than usual with the head wind, but, although dropped, ground his molars and continued to gain second fastest time in 112.54. As a team Keith Clark, Chas. Dwiglit and Ron Wilson worked astonishingly well. Clark was third fastest in 113.5. Ron Wilson's defeat of Chas. Dwight was not anticipated. A 14-mile ride to work each day helps Wilson to build up the necessary stamina. An outstanding performer was Peter McLaren, who finished eighth. He joined up as a junior at Devonport a Quarter of an hour before the race started, as did also Arthur McCarthy, who was unfortunate in puncturing.

Juniors who did well to finish were Geo. Grigs, seventh; Peter McLaren, eighth; lion. Wilson, 10tl>; Bill Smith, 19th; Roy Clark, 22nd; and Jack McKay, 26th. The race provided fine ground work for the championship on September 26 next, when all intending riders must enter the week previous. This race will carry the Fleetwing Shield, the championship sash, and a set of special trophies, and, in all probability, a trip to the Palmerston North to Wellington title race for the fastest man. Next Saturday riders are reminded to wear their club colours, royal blue with a sky blue M. A gymnasium singlet of this combination of colours pulled over the usual jersey will suffice. The junior race will be to the IYA mast at Henderson and back, and will start at 2.30 p.m., while the senior event will be under time trial conditions over the 44 miles "round-the-harbour" course, but will start at 2 p.m., with riders leaving at short intervals of 30s. The fastest rider will be awarded the Auckland provincial unpaced championship title, and the course is so severe that whoever wins will be worthy of the title. The New South Wales and Australian championships were decided over 100 kilometres unpaced this season, i and F. Nelson, of New South Wales, won both titles, with Charlie Winterbottom second in each. Ernie Andrews, writing from Sydney, mentioned that the course reached ail altitude of 1200 ft. How many Auckland riders would like to travel to the top of the Waitakere Ranges and back. When the Range road is built it may not appear so formidable a feat. President Frank Casey would luce all who have sold tickets for the 100-mile race to hand the proceeds to him before next week. TAKAPUNA CLUB. The above club held. a six-lap (22% miles) event for the Wilson Cup, over the Lake circuit, last Saturday. It resulted in a win for I). Bowsie (2.30), who gave an outstanding performance, and caught the scratch men napping. A strong westerly wind hampered the riders and slowed times. A. Broad (7..30) was the first man away, followed 1.30 later by K. Vosper, who had overhauled the limit man in the fourth lap. The second lap found D. Laurence (2.0) and D. Bowsie together, and at the fourth the field bunched, with all going well. In the fifth lap Vosper and Bowsie were still in the company of the scratch men, D. Keating, E. Williams and E. Langridge, but after covering half the lap Bowsie's chain came off, and by the time he had effected hasty repairs the previous four riders were out of sight. The middlemarker settled down to a long and apparently hopeless chase, but succeeded in oyerhauiing them at the head of the finishing straight, where a great sprint was staged, Bowsie flashing over the line to claim the finst placing by inches only. _ Dave is in good form lately, and this is his second victory in the past few weeks. The second placing was gained by E. Williams, who scored another fastest time in 68.6 1-5. Geo. hold's more "times" than any other rider here this season, and it is noticeable that he is improving his sprint. , , . D. Keating provided a surprise for his supporters when he failed to hold Bowsie and Williams in the sprint, this_ generally being reckoned as his long suit. Den. finished third, l-5s slower than Williams. Ken. Vosper is a consistent little rider, and gets a feather in his cap for outsprinting Langridge for fourth place. OPOTIKI CLUB.

The following officers were elected at the annual meeting of the Opotiki Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club Patrons. Messrs. G S Moodv and J. W. Gordon ; president, Mr S M. jpphson : lion, surgeons, I)rs. H. M. Budd and E. Candy: secretary, Mr T. Button; assistant secretary, Mr. C. Smith, treasurer, Mr. T. Hickey; auditor, Mr. J. McCaldon : executive committee, Messrs. C. Tabb .T. Mansell. .T. McCaldon, R- McIllwraith, R. D. Black. C. Morris, J. Shaw; starters. Messrs. J. McCaldon and R. McIllwraith.