D. CHATFIELD IS SOON VICTORIOUS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 90, 18 April 1939, Page 16

D. CHATFIELD IS SOON VICTORIOUS.

TWO CYCLING CLASSICS.

McGRATH RECORD-BREAKER. THE PROMISE OF HARESNAPE. Over 100 cyclists competed in the road races provided by the six amateur clubs which conducted events last Saturday in ideal conditions. D. Chatfield, winner of the Manukau Club's senior 20 miles, has only started racing. When he outeprinted R. Whitley lie displayed strong finishing powers, after a lasi race in w,hich he and Whitley led for time honours for four of the eight laps. Lightly built, Chatfield has such a smooth pedalling action that he conveys little impression of the actual speed he is producing.

Whitley gave his lieet exhibition of the season and his win at Te Kuiti must have given him great encouragement. R. Wilson and G. Purdom teamed right from the start, and after two laps had shaken off R. Triner, who does not seem to be taking his racing seriously yet. Wilson beat Purdom in their sprint for fastest time. With a win and then r a fastest, Wilson is fast qualifying for the back mark, and no surprise will be occasioned if he holds his own with the club's best. V. Thomas had the usual hard task of the lone scratch rider, and few can expect to prevail against combinations of riders on such a last course.

Two seasons ago D. McGrath rode in a few of the Manukau' Club's races; then went up to Matamata where he raced last year. The country air has helped him to build up stamina as well as pace, for he and W. R. Haresnape, the Auckland Grammar School champion, monopolised the junior-10-mile event.

McGrath was first and fastest, and in addition broke all junior course records with a total time of 26.50 for the 10 miles. He thus broke Robinson's eight-year-old record of 27.15. Unfortunately McGiath becomes a senior in August, and the junior championship is in September. Haresnape has until October, and provided he gears a lot lower instead of straining himself unnecessarily with a 92in gear he should be a hard proposition in the« title event. Even the senior riders wonder how he can pedal guch a big gear as 92in over the present strenuous hilly course. Two old-timers in action were J. G. Morris and C. A. Clarke. Both finished and set a fine example to the younger riders, who often retire just because they may be momentarily dropped.

Champion at Lynndale. H. Hawke, present 100 mile champion, enhanced his reputation as a road rider when he registered fastest time in the Lynndale Club's opening race of 13'/4 inilee. A. Silcock teamed well with him, as also did G. Hughes. Riding to work each day has helped D. Wrathall to show winning form already, but he had a desperate sprint with R. Owens and F. Crothall before No. 1 could be placed against hie name.

None of the other juniors , could approach R. Clark, easily fastest in 22.26 for the 7 4-sth miles course over which he was racing for the first time. Once he gets used to the. circuit the records should be within his powers.

L. Pinfold's success at Papakura recalls the prowess of this comparative old-timer. Pinfold raced with the Manukau Club at Mangere in 1928. Even then he wae a good unpaced exponent, for he won a -22mile race that year tinder time trial conditions which compel a rider to do the full distance unassisted. He was the fastest of the field last week over 10 miles in 29.58. D. Beams, handicap winner, displayed form ' consistent with that which won him several events last year.

Marris First and Fastest. The Beach Haven Club had a fair muster of 14 riders for. the opening day and once again J. A. Marris "came to light" with early form by gaining a first and fastest. Last year he did the same and then slowed after several splendid performances. Riding from scratch he clocked 12 miles in 37.8, while the next best, E. Atkinson, scratch, took 39.29. beating Andy Elia by 2s. N. Hawkins was a long way back, but second to Marrie, while L. Cooper was unlucky to puncture. In the junior event the Atkinson and Marris clan were at the head for speed. W. Marris was just too slow over the final stages by 3s to R. Atkinson, whose 22.42 was a great effort on a tough road. Race winner was A. Darrington (starting his racing career), off the one-minute mark. He impressed favourably in a training run round the harbour course the following day. Northern and Takapuna. Spills *and a general run of bad luck gave L. Tomlin, of the Northern Club, little opportunity of showing to advantage last year, so his win in the Northern Club's first senior race of 1939 was deservedly popular. Tomlin is a steady rider, strong enough to last out any distance. J, Partridge (scratch) rode to expectations and with J. B. Johnston and A. Keith should help the Northern Club in team competitions on the road during this season.

After bis four track wins at the championship meeting M. G. Harland was expected to be outstanding among the juniors, but L. Lynam almost beat him for time honours when he won the race in 13.44 to Harland's 13.41. Lynam was also prominent on the track.

The Takapuna Club, which hae changed its Dame to North Shore, held a five-lap restricted gears race, and W. Kirker, who finished second off 2.15, made fastest time of 52.13 for the ISV4 miles.