Cycling ASHBURTON TO CHRISTCHURCH

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28347, 5 August 1957, Page 7

Cycling ASHBURTON TO CHRISTCHURCH

A. Mahon Takes Fastest Time

In perfect conditions except for a slight easterly wind, the Deputy Mayor of Ashburton (Mr W. E. Burton) sent the limit riders away on their journey to Christchurch in the Christchurch Cycling Club’s annual road race. Saturday was the first time for many years that the race has not been ridden in rain. When the riders left Ashburton there was a slight head wind. As they drew nearer to Christchurch the wind was much stronger and cold. A. Mahon’s fastest time of 2hr 28min 55.25ec for the 54 miles was good considering the conditions. After 39 miles the field from the

three minute mark to the limit was in one bunch with . the scratch riders three minutes further back. The break bunch moved away at a steady pace and some of the riders off this mark took some very fast laps, increasing the speed up to 28 miles an hour. R. Hill (Timaru), N. Cowles (Papanui) and R. Fowler (Avon) were responsible for the fast laps. With half the journey covered the break riders had picked up the 7min and lOmin bunches. At this stage, it appeared as if the break riders would spoil their chances ot taking time honours by riding at the slower speed of the bunch they had caught. It was not long before they increased the pace considerably.

At Norwood, the field was in four bunches with only six minutes Separating the leaders from the scratch riders. The scratch riders had lost L. Palmer and R. Harrison, both of Timaru. Over the last fifteen miles there were many riders, who found the going too hard and there were many After 47 miles, the leading bunch was down to 24 riders with many more starting to drift back. The leaders were 3min 50sec •head of P. Wylie (Christchurch), who was endeavouring to make up lost time. He had a formidable task trying to pick up 50 seconds on the break riders in such a short distance.

As the riders neared the line there was a lot of jockeying for Position and in the final sprint J. Blance just shaded A. Mahon by less than a tyre. Wylie made a desperate effort over the concluding stages to picK U P the lost time, but when he crossed the line he was was 34.45ec behind Mahon. Abbreviations used in the results are:—Christchurch (C), Papanui <P). Timaru (T), Avon (A). Results were:— J- Blance (C), (7min), 2hr 32min oosec, 1; a. Mahon (P), (3min), 2hr 28min 55.25ec. 2; G. Grant (T.) (3min), 2hr 28min 55.45ec, 3; T. Cameron (C), (3min). 2hr 28min 56sec, 4; R. Hill (T), (3min), 2hr Zomin 57scc, 5; R. Fowler (A) (3min). 2rd 28min 57Jsec. 6. Fastest Time.—A. Mahon (P), (3min), 2hr 28min 55.25ec.

Sir Leslie Munro in Canada.— Sir Leslie Munro, New Zealand Ambassador to the United States, 15 making a fortnight’s private to Canada, accompanied by Munro. Sir Leslie and *£4y Munro were to arrive at ~V*wa today from Boston, where Leslie Munro yesterday at•Jpa*d a dinner of the World Centre of New England.— Washington, August 3.