OPPERMAN V. O'SHEA.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19805, 18 December 1929, Page 7

OPPERMAN V. O'SHEA.

TO-NIGHT'S SPORTS AT ENGLISH PARK. Great interest is being shown in ihe meeting of Hubert Opperman, Australia'* greatest cyclist, and Phil O'Shea, New Zealand's greatest cyclist, in a special march race at English Park Stadium thia evening. The race, which is to be paced by teams of tandems, will be decided over two distances of five miles each, and it should be the most thrilling event of its kind held at the Stadium. The thousands who attended English Park last Saturday were astounded -by the speed and trackcratt of the brilliant little Australian, who will meet a worthy opponent to-night. O'Shea, the holder of championships from a quarter of a mile to nearly 200 miles, has been racing for over 20 years, and is a past-master as a track rider. Recent performances have demonstrated that he is riding again in really brilliant fashion. Paced by Tom McCleary, Opperman will make an attempt to lower the five miles motor-paced record of 8.59, held by W. Mackie, and which has been standing since 1926. W. T. Weir and A. C. Ritchie will meet in a five miles motor-paced race to decide who will meet Hubert Opperman in a three-distance match race at English Park on Monday next. In view of the big match race, both Ritchie and Weir are out to win, and the riders should give one of the best exhibitions of motor-paced racing seen at English Park. Large entries have been received for the handiap cycling events, the nominations including A. C. Ritchie, J. R. I'Anson, li. W. Hill, L. Pither, A. E. Frandsen, C. Bright, and W. T. Weir. The Temuka crack rider, E. B. Taylor, has also nominated. Big fields will contest the 120 yds handicap and the 440 yds handicap, and D. McLtennan, the wonderful sprinter, who won in such sensational fashion last Saturday, will be seen in action again. Complete arrangements have been made for the meeting, which will be controlled by experienced officials, and the programme will be run off without undue delay. The meeting is promoted by the Victory Athletic and Cycling Company. The Woolston Band will play selections at the Stadium from 7.30 p.m. The aports will commence at 8 o'clock. Special trams wdl leave Cathedral square at frequent intervals.