ON THE WHEEL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 82, 7 April 1943, Page 5

ON THE WHEEL

ROAD CYCLING SEASON THREE AMATEUR CIAJBS OPEN Last Saturday saw the opening of the 1943 road racing season. The Auckland clubs to get under way were Northern, Lynndale and Manukau. The fields were quite good considering this is the fourth year of the war. Northern set out with a 10 mile event, which had 14 starters, including juniors. J. Walker (5.30) was first, with R. Gibson second and F. Sargent third. T. Garrod, oil virtual scratch (1.45), was fourth and fastest in 28.39. Both J. Walker and F. Sargent are recruits, and for their first outing they gave a good account of themselves. Walker outstaying the more seasoned rider, Gibson F. Sargent is a brother of "Sam" and "Dick," both fine riders of the Northern Club, and shows great promise. T. Garrod lapped consistently to take time honours. His lap times were 6.44, 7.31, 7.20 and 7.4. Fine Effort by Colt Manukau held a five mile novice raco (six starters) which resulted:—B. Kent (4.30) 1, V. Fields (2.30) 2, M. Humby Cscr) 3, and fastest. Young Bruce Kent, m spite of his unsuitable cycle, put up a strong and confident ride to win by 1.44. Fields and Humby both showed promising form, while Mansfield, although well back, showed the right spirit by finishing. The five mile junior race resulted in a win lor Des White (2.30), with A. ("Shorty") Pearso (3.45) 2. and M. Yule (2.30) 3. Des Herrick (scr) was fastest in 13.34. Whito rode his best raco to date, to drop Yule in the last lap and catch Pearse; then he went on to win by a length. Herrick beat "Herb" Jones by three lengths to take time honours. Ron Cleal, a nephew of Jack wads, rode a plucky race 'o finish the distance. The 15 mile senior race (18 starters) was won by W. ("Mike") O'Shaughnessy (4.30). with D. Weber (6.0) second, and K. Ryder (3.0) third. Stonex outsprinted Tredrea and Shilton to take O'Shaughnessy, after dropping his co-marker, Purdom, went on to catch Weber and beat him byfour lengths. Weber rode well to hold the lead for four laps. Ryder had little racing last year and he went really well to finish third. Stonex (scr), in clocking 6.29 lor his first lap, holds the Avon Button until his time Is beaten. Jack Hill in Form Lynndale held a 10 mile race at New Lynn which resulted in a victory for K. Yates. D. Anstic was second and L. McGarry third. Jack Hill secured fastest time. The first three riders were all off nine minutes. K Yates proved the strongest rider of the trio, but Anstic and McGarry rode good races. R. Hughes, the fourth man (8.0). is a brother to Graham Hughes, present Auckland sprint and unpaced kilometre champion. Hill, after a strenuous track season, came out to take time honours. He will be "tough" in open races this year.