CYCLING

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27636, 18 April 1955, Page 12

CYCLING

CHRISTCHURCH CLUB

The Christchurch Amateur Cycling Club held its opening day for the road season on Saturday, when two 10-mile scratch races were run over a short circuit at HalsweH. The races were round a block, and there were seven laps for the 10 miles. Because of the shortness of the circuit, the number of starters, 16, was too many, and they were divided into two groups of eight. Over part of the course the riders had to face a very strong wind, but reasonably good times were recorded. In the first race the eight riders went away together, but at the end of the first lap three had dropped back, and at the end of the second lap another was trailing the four leaders, who remained together for the last five laps. With 200 yards to go to the finish, both T. Cameron and B. A’Court had the misfortune to have their chains come off. A’Court soon had his on again, and came on to take third place, but Cameron finished carrying his cycle. From the 200-yard •nark, it was then P. Wylie and M. Boers, • ho were the leaders, and as they neared the judges, Wylie forged ahead to win co nfortably from Boers in 26min 10.4 sec. The field in the second race stayed together until the end of the sixth lap, and when the pressure was on in the last lap, some started to drift back. Very steady riding was maintained throughout the race, and each lap was ridden in about four minutes. Very little separated the first four riders, and T. Sexton showed up in the final sprint to win in 27mln 49.65ec. After the scratch races the Mairehau Novice Wheelmen had a handicap event over approximately four miles and half. L. Bishop and P. Doyle were the first two riders away, and at the end of the first lap these two were still together out in front. At the end of the second lap Bishop came through alone with Doyle IJmin behind. At this stage the scratch men were l}min behind the leader. Bishop carried on by himself and just won by K. Melhopt off Jmin. These novices rode very well, and their lap times were only a little outside the seniors’ times. The results were:— First Race.—P. Wylie 1, M. Boers 2, B. A’Court 3, L. Lambert 4. Time, 26min 10.4 sec. Second Race.—T. Sexton 1, N. Raizis 2. P. Stanley 3, T. Rondell 4. Time, 27min 49.65ec. Mairehau Novice Wheelmen.—L. Bishop (go) 1, A. McLeod (Imin) 2, K. Melhopt (Jmin) 3, P. Doyle (go) 4. Fastest time: T. Sheppherd, lOmin 58sec.

HORNBY CLUB Results of races held by the Hornby Cash Cycling Club on Saturday were:— Senior. 10 miles.—D. Houghton (2mln), 29min 28.8 sec, 1; A. Carter (3min), 29min 20sec, 2; A. Bates (3min), 29mln 31sec, 3. Fastest time: R. Woodgate (scr), 26min Novice, five miles.-—K. Brown (scr), 13min 37sec, 1; N. Woodgate (scr), 13min 38sec, 2; D. Arnst (scr), 13min 38.4 sec, 3. Fastest time: K. Brown. MAIREHAU NOVICES Results of races held by the Mairehau Novice Wheelman’s Club on Saturday were:— Two and a Half Mile Junior Handicap.—D. McKenzie (IJmin), 7min 49sec, 1; R. Dawe (3min), 9min 27sec, 2; K. Prebble (45sec), 7min 33sec, 3. Fastest time: A. McLeod (scr), 7min lOsec. Five Mile Senior Handicap.—l. Melthopt (2}min) 1, B. Walkins (2Jmin) 2, B. Yelland (l£min) 3. Fastest time: T. Shepphead, 12min 35sec. Novelty Race.—B. A’Court L