AMATEUR CYCLING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 232, 30 September 1944, Page 2 (Supplement)

AMATEUR CYCLING

G. PURDOM WINS MANUKAU CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP RACE

By the narrowest of margins, Gilbert Purdom won the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club's loth annual club championship road race this afternoon. Bartley was a close second, but was balked by a car just as he was about to start his sprint. The event was over a course extend-, ing from Devonport direct to Albany, then over the hill to Riverhead, and via Kumeu to Pt. Chevalier, a distance of 40 miles.' Hot spring sunshine prevailed, tempered by a light easterly breeze. First riders to start from Devonport were junior, Howlett, and J. Stonex, off 17.0, while V. A. Hills rode alone from scratch. Barkle, who was up from "Wellington to compete In the 100-mile next Saturday, started of 3.30, but soon dropped back, evidently feeling the effects of the overnight train journey. He has been fastest in four Wellington events this year. Punctures delayed Ashton, Aulick and Hills. At Riverhead turn, 21 miles, the lead was shared by J. Stonex, White, Nash and Christopher, who were only 45s ahead of Purdom, winner, and Bartley. Fastest to the turn was Gamble, who took 50.10, and was accompanied by Saunders. Next fastest were Stonex, Rattray and junior, Tetley, in 59.22. At 31 miles, and when climbing out of Henderson, Purdom and Bartley went ahead of the leading group, and remained together to the finish. Purdo'm was presented with the club's oldest trophy, the Fleetwing Shield, first won in 1926 by C. A. Clarke, while A. Stonex received the Olympic Cup, for fastest time. The Olympic Cup was given to the club by Ron Foubister, who competed at the 1932 Olympic Games at Los Angeles. Results:— G. R. purdom (9.0), time lh 56m 25s 1 S. W. Bartley (9.0). lh 56m. 26s 2 W. J. S. Nash (13.30), 2h 2m 12s 3 A. W. Stonex (2.0), lh 52m 2s; J. I. Walker (3.30), lh 53m 33s M. Tetley (2.0), lh 52m 4s; J. Stonex (17.0). 2h 7m 12s; M. T. Gamble (3.30). lh 55m 555; B. Christopher (13.30), 3h 7m 475; D. White (13.30), 2h 8m 15s; G. A. Grant (9.0), 2h 6m 4s; D. H. D. Weber (12.0), 2h 9m 10s; R. W. Cleal (6.0), 2h 13m 18s; V. A. Hills (scr), 2h 7m 19s; D. S. Aulick (3.30), 2h 10m 50s. Fastest riders: A. W. Stonex, lh 52m Is, 1; B. Rattray, lh 52m 2s, 2; M. Tetley, lh 52m 4s, 3. Next Saturday the annual 100-mile championship road race will be held, starting at 10 a.m. from Papakura. Philpott, who was second last year, will again be up from Wanganui, and is still a junior. Sylvester and Caudwell, of Tau'ranga, have entered, while 19 Manukau members have nominated. A truck will convey club members to the start, leaving Newmarket at 8 a.m. NORTHERN CLUB. —Results of the 47 miles Clevedon Cup race:—G. Baird (30.0). 2h 41m 15s. l; S. Thompson (6.0). 2h 19m 30s. 2: B. Smith (3.0). 2h 16m 325. 3: S. Sargent (scr). 2h 17m 15s. 4. Fastest time. E. Smith. Second fastest time. S. Sargent. PAPATOETOE CLUB.—The race to-day was for the club championship held over the Pokeno" course of 43 miles. Results:—J. Ludlam (scr), time 2h 0m 7s, 1; H. Clague (16.0). 2h 19m 38s. 2; C. Plcknell (5.0). 2s 10m 455. 3: E. Robinson (15.0), 2h 24m 50s. 4. The championship was won by J. Ludlam. The Archer Cup was won by H. Clague.