CYCLING

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21866, 20 August 1936, Page 12

CYCLING

ROAD RACE MAY NOT BE HELD TIMARU TO CHRISTCHURCH EVENT “They want October 3. They can’t have it, so they’re not particular whether or not the race is held.” In this way explanation of a statement that there might be no Tlmaru to Christchurch road race this year was made by Mr W. J, Walter, delegate of the Mairehau Cycling Club, at a meeting last night of the North Canterbury Centre of the Athletic, Cycling, and Axemen’s Union. The Mairehau Club promotes the race. When the business of arranging a date for the race came before the meeting, the chairman, Mr J. M. Coffey, said that from a Christchurch point of view the event should be most successful. Since the main race was this year to finish at Waimate. the Timaru to Christchurch race would be the attraction for people here. Mr Walter: As far as the*Mairehau Club is concerned, the race is off. It’s getting too late if they have to hold it after the Waimate event. If It can't be run on the day the riders want it—and it is for them, not the club—then it’s no use having it at all. Mr Coffey: It’s all a question of suiting the Waimate people. We simply cannot risk jeopardising the race for them. The centre wants to see the Timaru race held. It also wants it to be, run on tire most suitable date. Mr Coffey suggested October 17. To have the race after the main one would be a graciousness on the part of the Mairehau Club. In Waimate there was an objection to its being held before. It was also to be remembered that the race was virtually being controlled from Waimate. That was a risky business, in its way. It was clear that there should be no obstacle in the way of the main race. “Mairehau wants to help the Waimate race: that’s the only intention,” Mr Walter objected. Last the club had been accused of taking advantage of the Waimate race—of getting ahead for its own sake. This year it had been sitting back. It would be seen, he said, that the entries for the Waimate race would diminish. Riders wanted to train in progressively Increasing distances, until they were ready for the long ride to Waimate. Mr Coffey explained that the matter had this year to be seen in a different light. . Perhaps next year again, with tire main event finishing in Christchurch, the centre would be able to fall in with the wishes of Mairehau. The, centre decided to ask Majrehau to hold the Timaru to Christchurch race (assuring the club of the centre’s support), and to suggest October 17 as the date: failing that, some other suitable time.