CYCLING

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 225, 19 June 1929, Page 8

CYCLING

By

"VELOS"

An excellent field of thirty riders faced thn starter for the 25 miles race, held on Saturday afternoon, by the Port Nicholson Club. This Is so far the longest distance to be covered this season. The limit riders got away sharp at 2.30 p.m., and, with a following wind to assist them, made good time to Petone. G. Staveley, S. Wright, and E F. Bellman, off the 3mln. mark, set out fast and were soon up with D. Evans and C. Ericsson, who left the start 30sec. previously. J. Foote, J. Morris, D. Toomer and J. Rpbinson were in receipt of -imin. handicap, and started to make full use of it from the word “go." L Pearce led W. Bray from the mark of honour Smin. after the limit men had commenced the ■ , °The e ’Hutt Road cycle track took its toll, by wav of punctures, from C, Ericsson, G. staveley, and W. Bray, while J. Robiqson retired at Petone. A strong southerly wind was responsible for the fast times returned for the outward ride. C. Tasker (6} min.) led the field at tha turning point (near the Tatta Hotel), followed by bunches of riders led by F. Hoare, S. Wright, and D. Tootner. R. Evans, Morris and Pearce turned at intervals. The riders headed into the wind now and were working very hard. Tasker and M. White (fljmln.), a good combination, were in the lead at Petone, followed closely by Hoare and Ericsson (flmln.), Bellman. Wright and Evans, one minute ahead of Toomer and Foote With five miles to go, Bellman assumed the lead, and together with Wright was hard after fastest time. In a vigorous dash, for the line, D. Evans led F. Hoare by two lengths, with E. F. Bellman, M. White, and S. Wright in that order. Foote accounted for Toomer. Interest was now centred upon the finish of L. Pearce, who appeared with a big group, which he had overhauled half a mile from the finish. Another good sprint ensued, honours going to C. Campbell, with Pearce close up. F. Erskine showed up shortly afterwards, having crashed through running over a dog near Thorndon. The fastest time honour went to Bellman, with Wright only a second siower-Comm-nts on Riders.

D. Evans, by winning the 25 miles race, recorded his second victory for the season, and now assumes the leading position for the Corbett Memorial Challenge Cup, with 10 points. His judgment throughout the race was faultless, and he won with his characteristic wide grin, which is on the way to becoming famous. Bellman, during his road riding career, has been particularly successful, but this is the first occasion on which he has annexed the coveted fasiest time honour. He is a powerful type of cyclist, who can finish a hard race with a fast sprint. S. Wright, the amateur long distance record holder, was a bit unlucky in coming up with so strong a sprinter as Bellman, F. Hoare must be classed with our best handicap road cyclists, for on the two occasions on which he has finished he has a first and second places to his credit. Tire trouble generally overtakes him. L. Pearce rode a great race. LosingTiis co-marker. Bray, who collected a puncture, early in the race. -Pearce "plugged” along gamely on hie own. On his showing of Saturday he must be given a good chance for time honours in next week’s unpaced event.

Good Standing of the Sport. It is very pleasing to the officials of the Port Nicholson Club to find so much interest displayed by the public in the club’s affairs The club races start and finish at the Central Fire Station, and the Increasing number of spectators present each week gives an indication of how the sport is regaining lost ground. From pre-war davs df milk and honey, the cycle game drifted into public disfavour. This was caused mainly by the fact that much money changed hands during contests, and consequently many riders’ efforts were not sincere. Clean amateur cycling is well worth patronising and every effort is being made by the club’s executive to keep the sport at tts present rood standlnx.