CASH CYCLING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 38, 14 February 1945, Page 9

CASH CYCLING

KNIGHT BACK TO FORM

Closfc, exciting finishes were a feature of last week's meeting conducted by the combined cash clubs at the Western Springs Stadium. The racing has reached a high standard this season. The first race on Tuesday evening was over a mile. The field of 15 riders bunched up just before the bell lap, where W. Hansen (100 yds) jumped the field to get a break. Down the back stretch he had a six-length advantage, but coming to the 220 peg J. Wade (scr), J. Bicknell (scr), L. Westcott (40yds) and K. Knight (120 yds) sprinted after him They overhauled him 40 yards from the line, and a great finish saw Knight prevail by a length from Hansen, with Wade the same. distance away third Time, 2.4. This was Knight's first success this season, and it is pleasing to see this rider again back, to his best form. Hansen made a great effort to steal the race, just going under in the last bit. J. Bicknell was fairly flying when his- chain came off, just as he had got Hansen. Hβ looked like the winner. The second race was over three miles. With four laps to go the whole field bunched and the pace slowed down somewhat. With one and a half laps to go, however, W. White (200 yds) tried to steal a march on the field and, streakine away, held his lead until entering the straight, where Knight (280 yds), Wade (scr) and P. Bicknell (scr) shot out, and in a ding-dong battle all the way up the straight the three lart-namecl went' over the line abreast. Bicknell won by inches from Wade, with inches to Knight. Time, 6.38. Each of the trio thought that he was the winner; it was certainly a great finish. P. Bicknell was unlucky, for his back tyre went flat a few yards from the finishing line. Wade's, two placings were good rides,, and he has started off the season in great form. Knight again "went well, proving that his win in the previous race was no flash in the pan.