Cyclist Breaks Own Record On Hill

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30782, 21 June 1965, Page 6

Cyclist Breaks Own Record On Hill

The major cycling attractions on Saturday were the hill climb for amateur riders and the Cations Rose Bowl for cash riders. The hill climb, an open event, was held in the morning. Club races were in the afternoon. Conditions were perfect throughout the day and some good times were recorded. T. Tabak (Avon), who won the hill climb, established a new record. HILL CLIMB In the gruelling time trial from the foot of Hackthorne road to the Sign of the Kiwi. T. Tabak lowered the record he established last year. Tabak was superior in the early stage of the climb, which was the steepest. Although he slowed a little in the concluding stages he had gained sufficient time early to be a clear winner, 17sec ahead of the second place-getter, R. Weir (Papanui). Results:—T. Tabak (Avon), 14:44, 1; R. Weir (Papanui), 15:1, 2: S. Stephen (Papanui), 15:41. 3. Sealed handicap: B. Wliitfieid (Papanui) (2imln). 14:5, 1: R. Weir (Papanui), (45-sec), 14:16, 2. CASH CLUB C. Yaxley, a new rider who took up the sport only this season. won the first major event of the season when he took the Cations Rose Bowl from B. Leatham, with R. Baker third. Both Leatham and Baker were very prominent quite a few years ago and since returning to the sport have made their presence felt. The first three placegetters all rode from the 13min mark and teamed well throughout the race. F. Hooper, in a very determined final sprint, managed to hold on from three co-markers off scratch to take fastest time. Results:—C. Yaxley (13min), 1:39:55, 1; B. Leatham (13min), 1:40:0, 2: R. Baker (13min), 1:42:0, 3. Fastest time, F. Hooper (scr), 1:23:0.

PAPANUI CLUB R Weir, riding from the fourminute mark, won the Papanui club’s 25-mile out-and-home event up the Main North road on Saturday. Weir began racing in Christchurch and went to the Waikato, where he became one of the most outstanding juniors, representing his province in national junior championships. Now back in Christchurch, he should be a very solid rider both in club and open events. Apart from winning his club’s race he finished second in the open hill climb in the morning. The race was ridden at a solid pace and it was only in the last two miles that the riders off the four-minute mark made contact with the leaders. At this stage there was a bunch of about sixteen riders striving for the major places. About 400 yards from the finish S. King, off seven-minutes, made a break on the field and opened up a gap of about 50 yards until he was about 150 yards from the line. Weir brought the others up to King with 50 yards to go. Weir han little difficulty in holding off his co-marker, W. Thorpe, to win by a narrow margin of one second. The next four riders were only a second apart as they crossed the line. J. Danielson, off scratch, gained fastest time by one second from S. Stephen, the winner of the club’s opening race last week. Al the finish the scratch men were 2min ssec behind the winner, having picked up Imin 55sec over the distance.

Results:—R. Weir (4min.), 63.45 1, W. Thorpe (4min.). 63.46 2, S. O’Brien (7mln.), 66.47 3, W. Browning (lOmin.). 69.48 4, I. McLean (lOmin.), 69.49 5, H. Bedford (7min.), 66.50 6. Fastest time: J. Danielson (scr.), 61.50. AVON CLUB

G. McLeod won the club's 20mile event for the V.B. trophy. McLeod, a first-year rider, started from the limit mark of 13 minutes. He soon left his co-

markers and completed the outward run on his own. On the eturn journey he was gathered n by his co-markers but in the final stages had sufficient reserve to ride away and hold off a strong challenge from N. Clarke, off eight minutes, who had passed the other limit men but failed to catch McLeod by eight seconds. These two were well clear of the rest, with R McGrath coming in in third place 2min ssec behind McLeod. There was a great dual between T. Tabak and R. Fowler, off the scratch mark, for time honours. Fowler, as he had done many times in the past, played a waiting game and in the last few yards came past Tabak to gain time by 0.2 seconds.

Results were:—G McLeod (13min.>, 57.0 1, N. Clarke (Smin.), 52. 8 2. R McGrath (Bmin.). 54.5 3, D Jones i6min>. 52.5.5 4. Fastest time R. Fowler (scr.), 45.14. Slx-mile novice time trial: K. Sword 16 17 1 W Harwood 16.20 2. S. Hudson 16 26 3.

CHRISTCHURCH CLUB F. Lord won the Christchurch Amateur Cycling Club s 25-m ■ event at Halswell on Saturdai M. Baughan finished second wc'i C. Leppens third. Leppens. m gaining third place, also to. k fastest time.

Results were:—F. Lord 1. M Baughan 2, C. Leppens 3. Win ners time: 1:1120. Fastest time: 1:5.12.