CYCLING Good Times Set In First Races

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29799, 16 April 1962, Page 7

CYCLING Good Times Set In First Races

Handicap events of up to 25 miles held by the three local amateur cycling -clubs launched the 1962 road racing season in Christchurch on Saturday. The times were particularly good and augured well for a good winter's racing.

Cash riders took part in the last of the 10-tnile events, which have been held throughout the summer months. The season for these riders will soon be started. Avon Club The Avon club raced over 25 miles on a course from Yaldhurst to Aylesbury and return. E. Barnden. riding from the eight minute mark, was the winner with G. Milner gaining fastest time from the scratch mark. Milner gave a splendid exhibition of racing and i covered the distance in 56min : 45sec to beat his co-marker. G. [ Painter, by 3min 56sec. On the outward run the ■ riders had to face a head wind ■ but on the return Journey both Barnden and Milner made full use of the following wind. Barnden gathered in the riders on the limit mark of 10 minutes and won comfortably from B. Walsh, a limit rider, by 43sec. The four-mile boys’ race was won by K. Sword, with R. McGrath gaining fastest time Results were:— Open Race—E. Barnden (8 min). 60:40, 1; B. Walsh (10 min), 63:23. 2: G Sword (Sminl. 61:51. 3; D. Page (6min), 61:43, 4; N. Morriss (smin), 60:23, 5; C. Farrant (GJmin), 62:15. 6. Fastest time, G Milner (scr), 56:45.

Boys’ Race.—K. Sword (11 min). 11:29, 1: B. Taylor (1J min), 11:32. 2; E. Taylor (21 min). 12:24 3. Fastest time, R. McGrath (scr). 10:51, Papanui Club

A big field of 27 faced the starter and some very keen racing was seen. Four of the first five place-getters were riding as novices last year Off the front mark they set a smart pace and the back men

were hard put to catch them. Fastest time came from the two-minute mark with B. Hack just shading R. Bush by lOsec. A good field contested the novice event over seven miles. The winner was P. Frisken. with J. Cleary taking fastest time and filling third place. Results were:—

Open Race.—K. Campion (11 min). 55:31 1; G. Stanley Ulmin), 55:31.2, 2; R. Phillips Ulmin), 55:31.4. 3; E. Hammond (smin) 53:18, 4; P. Skilling (8 min), 53:18.2. 5: R. King (Bmin), 53:19, 6, Fastest time, B. Hack (2min). 50. Novice Race.—P. Frisken. 19:24, 1: R. Mehrtens. 19:26, 2: J. Cleary, 18:29. 3. Fastest time. J. Cleary. 18:29. Christchurch Club The Christchurch club conducted a 30-mile gear-con-trolled race, which was won by P. Blyth, who thus received the Stanley Cup. The race was ridden from Halswell towards Little River and return, and the riders had to contend with a troublesome wind. Blyth rode a good race and allowed the back marker. K Jeffery, to gain only nine minutes 50 seconds on him after being 15 minutes behind at the start. G. McGregor also rode well to fill fifth place, covering the distance in Ihr 23min 45sec. N. Price narrowly won the boys' race Results were:— Open Race.—P. Blyth Usmin). 79:50, 1; K Clinck UOmin). 75. 2; M. Ritchie UOmin). 76:20, 3: E. Livingstone (4min), 72:15. 4; G. McGregor Usmin). 83:45, 5: K. Jeffery (scr). 69. 6. Fastest time, K. Jeffery (scr), 69. Mairehau Novices The race on Saturday morning drew a large entry of 27 riders and the field was divided into two grades: 15 starting in the A section and racing over nine miles and the remaining 12 starting in the B grade for a race of four miles and a half D. Hay who was having his first start with the club this

season, rode well in tile B grade to take first place and fastest time. B. Shaw, riding from the scratch mark, made every effort to get up for time honours but could not make any impression on the fast moving Hay.

There was some impressive racing in the A grade event. The riders on the one and a quarter minute mark, P. McGarry, P. Wildermoth and T. Maddock, teamed well to gather in the leaders. McGarry held on to take the decision from Wildermoth, with P. Frisken in third place. Results were:— A Grade.—P. McGarry 1. P. Wildermoth 2. P. Frisken 3, Fastest time. T. Tabak, 21:44. B Grade. —D. Hay 1. P. Smith 2, D. Worsfold 3 Fastest time. D. Hay. 12:12. Cash Cycling The Hornby club's 10-mile event was won by R, Harrison (scratch) who beat his comarker. F. Hooper, bv o.2sec. The four limit riders held the lead until about a mile and a half from the finish when they were caught by the scratch men who then took command of the race. Tlie novice race was won by M. Denny, who achieved his beet performance of the season, He was hard pressed over tlie concluding stages of the (ive-mlle course by T. Tabak but managed to hold on to win by 3sec. Results were: — Open Race. —R. Harrison (scr), 23:3.8. 1; F. Hooper (scr). 23:4.0. 2; E. McCann (1 min). 24:4.2, 3; P. Cooke (scr), 23:4.4. 4. Fastest time. R. Harrison (scr) 23:3.8. Novice Race.—M. Denny 1. T. Tabak 2. W. Thompson 3. Fastest time, T. Tabak, 12:48.