CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 46, 24 February 1937, Page 17

CYCLING.

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

WESTERN SPRINGS TO-NIGHT.

Three hours of intensely interesting and exciting cycle racing are assured patrons to-night when the Auckland Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Cycling Association will decide the annual provincial championships. Roy Taylor won the 1000 metres and sprint titles last year. while Gordon Patrick secured the ten-mile title. Both riders will have a hard pr oposition to-night to defend their titles. Jack Wade is expected to win at least one title and, by many, the whole three, for he has six national titles to his credit, and in 1933 won all three title races at C'hristchurch. His 1000 metres in 1.18 at the Manukau Club's meeting equalled Giles' time at the national title meeting last year. Taylor won the local title in 1.19 3-5 last year and, as several riders in addition to Wade have done better lately, the title will provide plenty of speculation. Mai. Byrnes, Joe Gillbanks and ( has. Dwight are good at unpaced wenk too. The sprint has drawn 17 entrant*, and whoever survives the multiplicity of races. 18 in all. to decide the winner, will be worthy of the title. Wade. Byrnes. Gillbanks aud Les Dwight have proved fast finishers, so Taylor will have to move swiftly on this occasion. The ten-miler. with pacers, has drawn 19 entrants. Patrick has not been very prominent this season, for he was not even third to Wade, who won the Manukau Club's ten last week. Ron Triner is a great distance track rider, and the faster the race the faster he seems to be able to sprint at the business end. The record is 21.20. but if the present high wind prevails tiiis can hardly be equalled. The juniors are keen and with 12 starters their events, the half mile and five miles, should produce two different title holders. Caddv is favoured for the five, for lie decisively won the Manukau Club s title race while Rty Chappell and -Tim Lndlam are favoured for the half mile sprint. Several handicap events will be held over short distances. • The evening's racing will commence at 7.30 p.m. with the 1000 metres unpaced event, and the first rider to start in this will be R. F. Mclnnarney.

AUCKLAND CLUB,

SCRATCH MEN IN GOOD FORM. \ few light showers fell last evening at the Auckland Cycle Clubs meeting at Western Springs Stadium, but all events were decided without au.v inconvenience. The midget motor cars were also present, having trial runs in preparation for the club's carnival on Wednesday evening next. Kesults : — Half-mile Junior (7 starters). —B. Gavin, scr, 1: B. Collier. 80yds, 2; A. McCowatt, Ao.vds, 3 ; K. O'Sliauglinesny. 45.vds, 4. Time. 1.4. Collier led into the straight, where Gavih came fast from the rear to win by three-quarters of a length, with half a length between second and third. Half-m|le Senior (11 starters).—l;. Thomas, scr. 1 : K. Edkins, 35yds. 2 ; F. f'earce. 55yds, 3: T. Hedlund. 65yds, 4. Time. 59 2-ss. Edkins was first into the straight, with Tiiomas coming fast on the outside of the field. The latter made a great effort over the last bit. and just got up to score by half a length. Third man was the same distance away. Two-mile Junior Scratch Race (7 starters). —F>. Hills. 13pt*, 1 : B. Gavin, Opts. 2: C. Kellett. 4pts. 3. Time. 4.0S 3-5. Three-mile Senior Scratch Race (11 starters). —1.. Thomas. 17pts. 1 : \\ . Pratnev. 12pts, 2 : S. Litchfield, (jpts. 3. Time, 6.57 2-5. Owing to the threatening overhead conditions entries for the club's carnival have been extended to Saturday. NORTHERN CLUB. The Northern Amateur Cycle Club will hold its weekly meeting at Elierslie on Monday evening, where it will conduct a one a-'d three miles and two miles open races. Handicaps :—M. P. Byrnes, M. T. Gamble, scr, scr. scr; F. O'Gorman. S. Windsor. 25yds. 35yds. 50yds: A. Wallace. 60yds, 80yds. 100 yds : P. Lupwood. KOyds. llilvds, ISOvds; 1,. Walton. A. Keith. E. TucW. llOvds. 160 yds. 200 yds: T. Day, G. Webb. 120 yds. 180 yds. 240 yds; B. Cullen, 120 yds, 200 yds. 260 yds: L. R. Ealoli. E. Ivy. S. Thompson, B. Woolley, 140 yds, 220 yds, 280 yds : K. Hutton, A. Craft. 160 yds. 270 yds. 320 yds; S. MrEellan, A. Day, C. Grant, L. Tomlin, lSOvds. 300 yds, 340 yds. Results of February Points Cup.—F. O'Gorman (12), 1; S. Thompson (XI), 2.