CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 200, 24 August 1937, Page 16

CYCLING.

RIDERS IN FORM. ROUND-THE-HARBOUR EVENT. TWELFTH COTTER CUP RACE. Few courses in and around Auckland have such a history as the well-known round the harbour circuit, which now extends from Devonport via Albany and Riverhead to Point Chevalier. When first introduced to the sport in 1930 the course finished at Western Springs, but the increase of traffic and the tram route led to the present finish being adopted a few years back. Last Saturday the Northern Club held its second annual event over the course of 44 miles, and a close finish between R. Cleal, A. M. J. Keith and V. Ivey resulted. The day was almost ideal but for a light southerly breeze, while the road surfaces for the most part were improved. But for the extraordinary sprinting abilities of the junior rider. R. Cleal. Iveith iniirht. have won both the race and the title. Had he done so his effort would have been one of the highlights of this event, which has produced more surprises than possibly any other in Auckland. R. 8. Triner last year almost accomplished the same feat, but was beaten by the youthful K. G. Picknell, who had a handsome etart of 22.0. Some years ago when racing with the Northern Club Keith got within an ace of winning the title from I. C. Laloli, so his latest effort is a juet reward for- his perseverance. Throughout his ride he maintained a solid pace, and when he overtook men he utilieed their pace to advantage before breaking away from them. He pedalled a free wheel gear like Cleal, the winner, while Ivey pinned his faith to a three-speed. Well Contested Cup Events. racea have a good influence on some riders. It is only such races that bring out the beet performances. Last week's races for the Cotter Cup and President's Cup were no exceptions to the rule. The Cotter Cup has been associated with. the Manukau Club since L. G. Chambers, now in Africa, won it in 1926, with E. D. Andrews, now of Sydney, second, and M. P. Byrnes fastest time. Thirty-seven lined , up on Saturday but the issue was in doubt to the end, when A. W. Stonex (4.0) and P. J. Johnson (4.45), came on the scene in the sixth and final lap. Stonex finished powerfully to head Johnson, and win hie first race of this season. Last year Stonex won a 15 niles event off 5.0 in 43.55. but he clipped 1.30 off that figure last Saturday. He was helped considerably by the recent extensive tar-sealing of the roade. This win should encourage Stonex to go on to further successes, as it comes just on the eve of the big distance events.

Both E. G. Mynott and J. E. Picknell, off 2.30, paced a wonderful race, and it wae their efforts that prevented the rest of the back-markers from seeing the leaders. In fact bo big a gap did these two open up that it seemed as if two separate races were in progress. However, they just failed to catch the leaders. Training on hie newly-acquired tandem has helped J. Brown, the crack scratch rider, to produce even more speed. His fastest time of 41.1 wae even better than the figures indicate, for a spill naturally robbed him of a few precious moments. Still he was able to outsprint a group of eeven, all of-"Whom the judges placed, thanks to .their efficiency and attendance at every .race. He lapped in 6.29, 6.53, 7.3, 6.42 (in this lap he rode away from Triner),-6.57 and -6.57. : In epite of his fall he covered the. final lap in 6.57.

Riddell (scr.) rode disappointingly again, while Triner appeared to have developed his 100-mile pace already. The latter cannot be expected to shine in short races although he will by no means be a back number for he has great determination. He finished in 41.34. Of the "break" men, R. Wikon was fastest, but only inches away were E. F. Raper and that consistent 100-miler L. M. Nicholson, who still holds the latter course record. J. H. Gijlbanks made a welcome reappearance while J. H. Wade also had another flutter. Both dropped back after a few laps as anticipated, for most of the consistent starters are at the top of their form at .present.

Lynndale Club's Fixture. The Lynndale Club's fifth annual championship race over the round-the-harbour course next Saturday appears as if it will be a duel between E. L. G. Hughes, 1934 title • winner, and the club's new star, A. H. Silcock. Only inches separated the pair last week. Hughes was the faster in .53.42. It was a combined race over the popular 18 miles course at New Lynn, and gave the juniors yet another opportunity to prove that youth can still hold its own with the older competitors. L. A Hawke was a definite winner, although R J. Owens did his beet to make a closer finish. Hawke still has the distinction of having won a round-the-harbour event on a more liberal handicap than any other of the 20 odd winners over the famous course He won the 1935 race off 55.0 when a lad of only 12% years of age. His brother, Haddon, was third off 25.0, and L. K. Gooder got fastest time in the club record time of lb. sem 44e for the shorter course of 41 miles taken by the Lynndale Club, which finishes its events at New,Lynn. Juniore were prominent in the Papatoetoe Club's combined 20%-mile event over the Howick course. The Papakura rider J. L. Middleton, 5.30, won after a fine exhibition of pacing with 1. &. Knight, alflo of Papakura, off the same mark. Middleton ie one of the club e leading juniore and captained ite team last month when Lynndale e team beat it by 6e in a 25-mile race. It may not be a very lon K time before Knight will be lining up with hie brother D. E. Knight, for he improves with every race. Captain's Last Race.

Popular Club Captain C. P. Cochrane was having hie laet race with hie club before leaving for employment at Te Awamutu. He did hie beet to make it a successful farewell effort, but R. A. Beehre, aleo ecratcb, prevented him from doing eo —Beehre, however, had to produce a new course record before he defeated Cochrane. Beehre'e time of 51.40 knocked 1.12 off Cochrane'e record, established in the 1936 Tradesmen's Cup race. Beehre will be no etranger to the scratch mark after thie latest ride. Laet year he was club champion at unpaced work and he has distinctly bright proepecte of again winning the unpaced title next Saturday over the Drury couree. Naturally the Papatoetoe boye will be sorry to lose Cochrane, but he intends to come north each month for the big open races. He will aleo be a etarter hv the 100 miles event on October 2 and Jin the Palmerston North to Wellington 'race of 102 miles on October 23. He will I be a great aeeet to the Te Awamutu Club, which was formed only thie year. The Surrey Club held ite* first chamipionehip title event over 17% milee, when '>H. Koosache proved the best performer in 50.48. D. Grieve'e 51.58 was a complete surprise. Saturday's Fixtures. Next Saturday the Lynndale and Papatoetoe Clubs will be deciding their annual championship titlee. C." R. Gooder won the Lynndale title laet year, While the race winner was L; Whyle, off 12.0, with this year's outstanding junior H. R. Baldwin, 12.0,. a close second. The race will start from Devonport at 2 p.m. Beehre • holds the Papatoetoe Club's unpaced j title, which will be at stake again. The Manukau Club will hold its junior unpaced championship over 15 inilee. iLaet season .R..Wilson won, with,C. H-. PJcknell next, Picknell, Caddy, Clark, Johnston and the ■ new,junior N. F. Harvey should provide I the iinterest- next Saturday. -Only a fey days over five weeks and then will come the 100 miles event;, All i-'tendjing eoni-i petitore are advised to part,i_ H ,at<> in all : club runs;, for there ie no better training I than lone houre in the saddle. Next Suti•day'eru:: ie to Tiiakau* K ''. ; .? : - : - -w 1