Cycling ROAD SEASON OPENS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29177, 11 April 1960, Page 24

Cycling ROAD SEASON OPENS

Three Amateur Clubs The amateur cycling clubs and two novice clubs held opening days for the road racing season on Saturday. Two dubs, Avon and Christchurch, also had schoolboys* races. Conditions were perfect for the races, which were over short distances. Some riders were not very nt and showed this towards the end of the race. They should get into shape for the bigger races, which wta be held shortly after Kaster ..This season is a very full one and the competition will be very keen in the open major races, of which there are quite a few. Papanul Club A field Of 30 riders turned out for the club’s opening. The Held for the race, which was over 10 miles, was sent away in two bunches, the faster riders leaving one and a half minutes behind the leading bunch. The back men rode well to get up with the leaden two miles from the finish. In a very dose finish. W. Thorpe held on to win by a narrow margin from R. Perkins, with K. Dwyer third. After the race at a social function trophies and championship medals won during the season were presented by the oldest life member of the club Mr W. Bailey. liesuits were:— W. Thorpe. ISmin 7sec. 1; R. Perkins. ITmin 38sec. 3; K. Dwyer, ISmin iSeec. 3. Avon Club The opening event for the members of the Avon club was over 15 miles. From the start a very solid pace was set by the A grade riders, who started 5 minutes ahead of the B grade competitors. The A grade riders held together well over the journey and nearing the finish, R. Fowler showed a good turn of speed to ride away and win by two lengths from J. Beere. Early in the B grade race the stronger riders formed themselves up into a bunch and rode strongly over the whole distance. Nearing the finish L_ Manners proved himself to be the strongest of this bunch and rode away to win from E. Barnden with U Bishop third. P. Davis rode well in the schoolboys’ three mile race to go through the field from the scratch mark and take first place and fastest time. Results were:— A Grade.—R. Fowler. 37m!n 7sec, 1; J. Beere, 37min luec. 3: G. Wallace. 37min 9sec, X B Grade.—L. Manners, 39min 3aee, 1: E. Barnden. 39min 3sec, 3: L Bishop. 39min, 4sec. 3. Schoolboys’ Race.—P. Davis (ser), 9mln 29.25ec. 1; P. Wallace (%min). lOmln 15Jsec, 3: G. Hutton (Imin), lOmin 3Usec. 3. Fastest Time.—P. Davies (scr). 9min SSfisec. Christchurch Club Twenty riders started in the Christchurch Club’s 10-mlle scratch race, which was run over a block course. After the first lap five riders broke away from the field and they were not headed throughout the journey. Nearing the finish, these riders were jockeying for positions and tn the final run to the judges M. Newman showed the best speed to win by one second from M. Carmody, with K. Jefferies third only o.Bsec behind Carmody. The schoolboys’ race over four miles was won by A. McDonald, with P. Sanderson in second place. D. Gutry, who is proving an outstanding rider, took fastest time from the scratch mark, covering the distance in llmin Ifisec. Results were:— M. Newman. 37min Slsec. 1: M. Carmody, Thnin 33sec. 3; K. Jefferies. Timin 33.8 sec. 3. Schoolboys* Race. —A. McDonald 1; P. Sanderson 3; G. Meyerhof! 3. Fastest Time.—D. Gutry (scr). 11 min Msec. Mairehau Novice Club Riding from the limit mark. R. Carr held on to win the 41-mile event from M. Christan. off IJmin. Fastest time for the distance went to M. Jones, off scratch. The schoolboys* race over the sente distance was won by D. Lester, off Smin. with fastest time going to K. Young. Results were:— Senior Event.—R. Carr 1; M. Christan S: G. Nolan 3. Fastest Time—M. Jones. Schoolboy** Race.—D. Lester 1; It YoungS: G. Nieoll 3. FMtsMTtaeJ-K. Young. Papsnnl Noviee The Paipanui novice club held its opening on Saturday and in a massed start race over 3J miles, N. Smith covered the distance in 9min Slaec. a record for the distance. Run in conjunction with the massed start event was a sealed handicap which went to M. Litolff. Results were:— Massed Start Event.—N. Smith, •min Dsec, 1; D. Litolff. taiin Msec, 3; M. Litolff. 9mln 45sec. 3. Sealfid Handicap.—M. Litolff (Imin). Tmin Msec. 1; A. Leoett (3)min), Tmin Staee, 3; N. Smith (scr), 9min Dsec, 3. AVON CLUB Results from the Avon Amateur Cycling Club's races on Saturday were:— A Grade. 15 Miles Scratch Race—» R. Fowler 37min 7sec, 1; J. Beere. 3Tmin Bsec. 3; G. Wallace, 3hnin •sec. 3: N. Stuart, 3Tmin Itoec. 4; D. Wood, 37min llsec, 5; B. WaUace, 37min 40eec, 6. B Grade, 15 Miles Scratch Race.— L. Manners, 39min Ssec. 1: T. Barnden. Statin 3sec. i; G. Austin. Statin Ssec. 4: N. Morris. Statin faee. 5: B. Mugford. 39min Tsec, >. Schoolboys* Three Mile Handicap.— P. Davis (scr) 9min UJsec. 1: P. Wallace (Imin), 10min Is.2sec. 3; G. Hutton (Imin). lOmin 31 2sec. 3; B. Taylor (llmin). 13min 25sec. 4; R. McGrath (l}min), 13min 2Bsec 5; E. Taylor (24min). 14min 12sec •.