CYCLING.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18183, 20 September 1924, Page 11

CYCLING.

TIMARU-CHRISTCHURCH ROAD RACE. The Timaru to Christchurcli roid race, which is' to take place- oil Saturday next, under the auspices of the North Canterbury Centre of tho New Zealand Atliietic and Cycling Union, has attracted 170 entriesfrom all parts of the Dominion. .With Phil O'Shea, tho present New Zealand road champion t a non-starter, a .great deal of interest is being centred on the chances of tho various back-markers, speculation being rifo as to which one will win tho coveted blue riband for road champion of New Zealand. Several well-known riders will start as backmarkcr3 in the race, anions them being J. Henderson and 11. Burnand, both blue ribancj winners, W. Mackio and C. 8011, who have gained fame in long distance races, Peter Hill and D. Wright, who were very successful two years ago in tho "Warnambool-Melbourne road raco, F. S. Shalders, W. J. Savage, A. T. .George, M. P. Leathern, and several othcrtt» s Amongst the outside entries is one from S. W. Crutchley of Wang&nui, who gained fastest time in the "Round the sd»untain" raco last year, and 1.. It. Moore, late of Hastings, who was successful in winning' and gaining fastest time in the big North Island raco in 1922. Other prominent riders have nominated.

The raco is to finish at the Sbov. r Grounds, and it is anticipated' that the first rider will make his" appearance at. about 3 p.m. In order to compensate for tho extra distance; to I>9 travelled E? the competitors, from the old finishing ground at Canterbury * ark, Sock burn to the ShowGrounds, the road through Hinds will bo taken and not tho Marcfnan road, which has been used on previous occasions. AYhilst waiting for the riders to arrive at the Show Grounds, the following- curtain-raiser events will bo decided:—loo yards flat handicap, 220 yards flat .handicap, 1 mi.e cycle handicap, novolty raco (walk one lap, ran one lap and cyclo one lap). Thcso event 3 will be open only to schoolboys. Tho handicaps for tho raco will be puDlished in Monde's papers. Arrangements have been mfcde with the local authorities in the vicinity of tho finishing place to close the roads for a brief period, whilst the leaders arc finishing. Special tram arrangements have been made and Dcrry'e Band will be in attendance. A window display of the prizes for the race is being 1 made in Messrs Hallenstein Bros.