CYCLING

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27695, 27 June 1955, Page 14

CYCLING

ROUND THE HARBOUR RACE P. WYLIE MAKES FASTEST TIME The round-the-harbour race conducted by the Christchurch Amateur Cycling Club was held on Saturday, when members of the Papanui club also took part. A. Mahon (Papanui) was the first home out of 23 starters. The race was run from Sparks road, Halswell. through Motukarara, up Gebbies Pass, then on to Teddington, through Governor’s Bay, finishing on Norwich quay, Lyttelton. Wintry conditions prevailed throughout the race, with rain and hail. From the start the riders faced a head wind out to Motukarara. After going over Gebbies Pass they had the wind behind them for nearly all the rest of the journey. Shingle and water on part of the route made riding very unpleasant. I. Baker and D. Johnson both had spills on the Pass, but carried on to take sixth and eighth places respectively. P. Wylie, who has ridden very consistently this season, again took fastest time; his time being Ihr 39min Isec. M. Boers had the misfortune to break his handlebars, and R. Treloar broke his chain. Both were forced to retire.

The Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr F. G. Briggs) was at the finish to receive the riders, and presented the Joe Black challenge shield to Mahon. Wylie won the Ritchie challenge cup. Results: A. Mahon (16min), Ihr 47min 30sec, 1; G. Woodhead (25min), Ihr 58min 39sec, 2; G. Hill (16min). Ihr 52min 50sec, 3; D. Borrell (12min), Ihr 49min 14sec, 4. Fastest time: P. Wylie, Ihr 39min Isec.

HORNBY CLUB A field of 23 riders faced the starter when the Hornby Cycling Club held its 25 miles championship on the Main South road. Conditions were very unfavourable for a championship, as the riders had to start into the teeth of a strong southerly wind, and had to face this all the way on the outward journey of 12J miles. On the outward run the riders also had to contend with heavy rain and hail. On the return journey the riders had the benefit of the wind, but were too tired to make fast times. A. Shaw, off 13 minutes, was the winner and rode an exceptionally fine race. With his co-markers he maintained a steady speed of 15 miles an hour for the outward journey, which was very good considering the conditions. R. Lucas, the brilliant scratch rider, had an almost impossible task to get time, as he was giving away 16 minutes and had to ride the whole journey alone. Although he took the junior time, he was 18 seconds behind R. Craig, who covered the journey in 1 hour 5 minutes 7 seconds and. took the championship. At the turn the three front marks had linked together, -and they were followed by H. Cations, who, riding alone, was two minutes behind them. Two and a quarter minutes later a big bunch representing the 6J to 2-minute men came through. A minute later came G. Saunders, and then seven minutes behind the leaders came Lucas.

On the return journey many riders were dropping back, and the front bunch broke up after 20 miles and only Shaw, R. Wildermoth, and A. C. Porter were left. The big bunch commenced to string out after 18 miles, and riders in twos and solo were making a weary passage home. At the finish Shaw led the other two riders for the last 20 yards and then crossed the line half a length in front of Wildermoth, with Porter 10 lengths further back. Results:—A. Shaw (13min), Ihr 13min 49sec, 1; R. Wildermoth (lOmin), Ihr lOmin 50sec, 2; A. C. Porter (lOmin), Ihr lOmin 51sec, 3; L. Arnst (13min), Ihr 15min 15.2 sec, 4; H. Cations (BJmin), Ihr lOmin 49sec, 5; F. Lucas (lOmin), Ihr 13min s.2sec, 6. Senior fastest time: R. Craig (2min), Ihr smin 7sec. Junior: R. Lucas (scr), Ihr smin 25sec. CHRISTCHURCH NOVICE CLUB The boys of the Christchurch Novice Cycling Club braved the elements on Saturday, when they held a five-mile handicap event, which was won by T. Smith, off 1$ minutes. Results:—T. Smith (IJmin). 15min 9sec, 1; R. Harrison (IJmin), 15min 25sec, 2; B. Burney (Umin), 15min 22sec, 3. Fastest time: N. Woodgate (scr), 14min 18sec. AVON CLUB Members of the Avon Amateur Cycling Club competed for the Vic. Chaney Trophies. The race proved a triumph for

S. Taylor, who for the second year in succession took first place and fastest time, which is a rare distinction for a scratch rider. Taylor has now ridden off the scratch mark for the last seven seasons. A very creditable ride was put up by two young riders, D. Austin and V. Gray, who went off from the front mark and teamed very well indeed. It was only in the last three miles that Gray started to drift back and Austin carried on. In the last 300 yards he was caught by the main bunch. The scratch riders. Taylor, R. Fowler, and G. Painter, caught the break bunch, who were off three minutes, after 14 miles, «and at the turn, when the riders had a slight advantage with the wind, the pace for the return journey was really on, and the scratch and break men, who were still together, picked up other bunches and passed them, but they still had to keep up a very solid pace to overtake Austin, whom they caught within 300 yards of the finish. Austin led the bunch in to the last 100 yards, and then Taylor went into the front and carried on to win from M. Mathieson by five lengths. Mathieson had passed Fowler and left him two lengths behind in third place. Results:—S. Taylor 1, M. Mathieson 2, R. Fowler 3. Fastest time: S. Taylor. During the afternoon the Avon Women’s Club held a five-mile time trial, which was won by J. Kimber, who covered the distance in 16 minutes 17 seconds.