CYCLING.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18187, 25 September 1924, Page 2

CYCLING.

TIMARU-CHRISTCHURCH. SATURDAY'S BIG RACE. The Timaru to Christchurch road race, which takes place on Saturday, is causing a groat deal of excitement among the riders and general public. Picked riders from all parts cf New Zealand are competing, entries having come from Auckland, Tcranaki, West Coast, Marlborough, and Otago. One bundred and seventy competitors have entered, and most of these have been training hard fcr the past two months.

The handicaps have met "with general approval, and tiiero is r.o particular rider who has been locked upon as a certainty to win the race, and no doubt there will be quite a number to fight out the first place. Most interest is being centred round who will be the winner of the Blue Riband by securing fastest time and becoming the road champion cf New Zealand, as well as being' sent to Australia to compete in the Warrnaffi.-bool-Melbourne road race.

Last year H. G. Watson caused a great and secured second fastest time, being beaten by O'Shea, by 10 minutes. Watson rode practically the whole of the distlanco by himself, and there was a feeling that if ho had assistance from other riders to givo him pace,' he might have secured fastest time. This year the riders are more evenly matched, and it is hard) to tell from which mark the champion will come.

The scratch team consists of Bell, Henderson, Mackie, and Burnand, four men whw have proved themselves over a long distance. Sometimes the backmarkers are liable to underestimate the speed of thoae in front of them, which happened at Southbridge a fortnight ago in the South Island Championship, and thus caused them to be beaten for time. On the 6min mark are M. P. Leathern, George and Savage. These men will ride well • together, and it is considered by many cycling enthusiasts that the winner of the championship will come from this mark.

On the lOmin mark are three other good riders—P. Hill, .who won the Warrnambool race; D. Wright, who came fifth, and Crutchley, from Wanganui, who secured tho fastest time in the Mount Egniont race last year. These, too, have a big chance of securing the championship, judging by their training of the past few weeks. On thu 13min mark, K. Lange, the winner of tho fifty-mile South Island Championship, of last year, and F. J. ShaMers, who 6tarted off scratch with O'Shea two years ago, aro both riding exceptionally well. Among others who are riding well are Punnell, from Blenheim, who has the reputation of being a first clasa rider, also C. G. Shalders, of Oaniaru, who is the Otago champion, and L. R. Moore, who gained first andi fastest time in the Mount Egmont race two years ago. These riders start off the 15min marir. The West Coast has eent over three good men, Gooch, on 25min, L. Wilson, on 27min, and Best, on 27min. Tho West Coasters have full confidence that these men i will put up. an excellent, ride. Ashburton is represented by Pratley, Cant, Orton, J," 1 Arnst, and several others, while from Timaru come Stewart, Goodall, England, and Hawk ß . The finish of the race is to take place at the Show Grounds, and the local bodies controlling tho roads from Sockburn to tho finish are closing the ones over which the race takes place. It is expected the first riders will come in soon after 3 p.m., pro- I vidiing the weather conditions are favourable, and until their arrival a programme of sports will be held. The Tramway Board has decided not to increase the tram fares. All .arrangements are well in hand, and officials have been appointed to follow tho race to see that the rules are strictly complied with. The presentation of prizes will take place in the Orango Hall on the evening of tho race. Ladies are cordially invited.