CYCLING ON ROAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 114, 17 May 1938, Page 14

CYCLING ON ROAD.

WALKER IN FORM. LAST SATURDAY'S EVENTS. SOME PROMISING JUNIORS. Even under such ideal conditions as prevailed last Saturday a 25-miler over 10 laps of a small and hilly circuit can become quite a genuine test of stamina. Yet when W. K. Walker finished first ! with close on a minute to spare he appeared little distressed. Riding, with the Manukau Club since 1932 Walker has had many notable wins, but one has to ! refer back to 1936 for his previous win. In | 11)33 he won two open events, both over 40 miles, and enjoys the distinction of having won two "harbour" races. With J. G. Morris, (J. S. Webster and C. M. Hodge lie visited the Empire Games and then rode with his team from Sydney to Melbourne. Alter a hard chase after Walker, W. H. -\l. White just succeeded in heading in a bunch of 10 riders to second place. This finishing effort was one of the spectacles of a wonderful race, in which V. D. Thomas and G. H. Cunningham played a big part. Thomas was third and justly deserved fastest time as well, for he never allowed j llie pace to lag, while Cunningham, his! j co-marker, did his share for the mutual I cause, K. A. Liangridge, scratch, was j unlucky to fall. But for his spill he would have created a new record, for Thomas was only 10s outside Riddell's flying effort of 1937. There was considerable rejoicing when C. A. Carter won the Papatoetoe Club's IU-milcr from a grouped bunch of ten. (alter cannot be classed as a brilliant pedallcr, although lie can stand up to short distance work with most roadmen. He appeared to judge his final effort to perfect ion to head off F. J. Archer and |A. Keith. Two seasons ago Carter was I one of tlie club's best juniors, but when I lie first became a senior faded out of the I limelight for a while. Archer, on the other I hand, is a careful ruler who dislikes being at the head of a field, but can unwind : a phenoininal sprint when he desires. On I the track at Papatoetoe last summer he \ had few superiors. He ran Wade a close second in the provincial ten-mile ftiiampionship. Keith, of the Northern Club, so iai- has shaped well with two second las tests. Just lacking a sprint lie would be well advised to concentrate on this weak point for a while, for he has ample stamina and speed to slay with the best. H. I\. Baldwin made his firtst appearance on the load in the Lynndale Club's junior i event, and left little doubt as to his exceptional ability by going through the field like the proverbial packet and clocking fastest time in 29.7 for the IOVa miles. I His meeting with X. K. Harvey, who rode j 10 miles in 27.43 on Saturday, is sure to ! create much interest in the next centre race for juniors of 2."> miles. Always slow to strike form, E. L. G. Hughes gave a better display in the senior 15V4-niiler. He teamed with W. A. Harnett, a rider who is gradually working himself into the ace class, and S. Alderjson, who is making a welcome return, and will help to till the gap vacated by ('. H. Gooder in the Lynndale team. There was again little in the actual sprint, but Hughes was definitely the stronger. Small statured but muscular R. J. Owens rode a hard race, and once he gained the lead never slackened, to win without over-exer-tion by close on 300 yds from E. J. Carr. K. Crothal), a new rider, started off with the winner, but had to drop back on the hill. However, he kept at it and was a close third. Preparing For Big Race. The Beach Haven Club is leaving nothing to chance in its effort to accustom its riders to portions of the course chosen lor the big race on the King's Birthday. Last Saturday the seniors raced to Albany and back, 2114 miles, and an excellent field lined up. .'nek .Morris won comfortably by over a minute, after riding a steady race. He gained, en route, 4s on L. K. Elia (second) and racing secretary A. .). Evans (complete with bell this time). third. J. A. Marris, finding the going hard, slowed until caught bv the 1.0 trio. D. .1. H. Patten. A. and R. Elia. who were teaming like only Beach Haven riders can and do. A. Klin had an unfortunate fall, and although he soon remounted failed to catch up with his group. Patten outsprinted R. Klin for time honours to clock ..X.21. definitely good for a course practically devoid of any flat running. In the junior race W. Marris cleared away from newcomer ,1. Hill to win bv i I ."is, while H. Atkinson was a closer third I K. If. Chetwynd had all he could do to check A. Hews for time, and eventuallv succeeded by lis. with 36.53 for 12 miles. really excellent for junior talent. With expoi ience W. Marris is expected to develop into a rider of note. He is onlv 1.". years old. One of the orfginal members of the • Takapuna Club, it is good to see I>. ! Lawrence again to the fore. Lawrence will ' be remembered for his tine effort in the • 1933 100-miler. the first held in the Auckland province. In this race, when a ■ junior, he started off .10.0. took the lead 1 early and kept it for 70 miles, when he • rode to practically a standstill at the • conveniently appointed feeding station at IV Kamvhata. Lawrence was fastest Inst week in the club's 22'/4-miler. The Manukau Club's road race for primary schoolboys gave A. Rattray, of the Kowhai School, his opportiinitv. Hiding a heavy roadster he romped in an easy first from E. Croul. another enthusiast from Te Papapa. Had E. McEwen not ridden off the course for a short distance he might have altered the complexion of the race. His father, an exMasterton rider, and holder of Xew Zealand titles, seemed quite satisfied with his son's effort.