ROAD CYCLING

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 258, 28 July 1934, Page 22

ROAD CYCLING

Championship Races FORTHCOMING EVENTS Notes on the Riders (By “Free Wheel.”) Amateur cycling enthusiasts arc well catered for this season, for, in addition to the main centres’ 100-mile annual events, the 60-mile North Island Championship at Hawera, Canterbury 70-mile championship. Manawatu 25-mile time trial, and Wellington provincial championship leave little to be desjred regarding representative competitions. The Hawera event promises to be a flue contest, and the trophy list) surges those of any amateur classic yet staged. A large Wellington contingent is expected to make the trip and the race should be fast indeed tie the whole distance is over tar-sealed roads. This season’s Palmerston North-Wel-lington race will probably be the best on record as the Wellington Centre hfi® wisely elected a sub-coininittee to maite early arrangements. Mr. H. J. Dutton with his wide knowledge ot long distance events—he has assisted in the management of classic events in Victoria—has charge of this committee, which met on Monday evening. While it is to be regretted that the Basin Reserve is not available fop staging the finish of the- event, the idea of finishing on the Petone Oval is an excellent one and will doubt ess create great interest in the Hutt Valley. Were it not for the Petone Amateur and Cycling Club’s activities in the track season, local cvclists would, competitively speaking, experience rather lean times. Sports meetings held oil the Oval, draw splendid attendances, and this is probably the main reason for staging the finish or the 10Umile at Petone. Dcspitq adverse financial conditions prevailing, those responsib e for conducting the race art, with the support already promised, sanguine hat the prize list will exceed all previous efforts. Competitors finishing up to 15th place will win- a trophy. Hope Gibbons’ Shield Contest.

Despite the unpleasant weather, last Saturday's Hope Gibbons’ Shield Contest was an excellent one and several splendid performances, both combined and individual, were recorded. The course, especially at Breaker mj; was exceedingly rough and local riders would be better pleased if the City Council used other than quarried metal on this racing track. Poneke A and 15 teams, racing on their home course, naturally possessed a territorial advantage and while Saturday'!- 'Success B ives them a commanding lead for,. the handsome trophy, the final event at the Hutt should find much sterher opposition being offered by the “Niconian’ and A alley combinations. - With four of each team being required to finish to enable their team to qualify for the final, and numerous mishaps occur; ring, quite ,a number of eompetitorw experienced a griiellmg afternoon. Although it is pleasing to note that each team qualified for the concluding event, this, was only brought about by strong .efl orts or those who suffered machine trouble and carried on after effecting repairs.,Staveley. Disley, Percival and Lem Sowerhy iwle practically the whole event unaccompanied, and the Valley Club officials’ decision in selecting Stnvert ns an emergency’in tire first place, ifj (ui»*cult to understand. Were it not tor his plucKy rkle the A team would certainly have 'been eliminated. Percival, being far from well, was dropped two miles after the start, but rode a real captain's race to finish about six minutes after ni% team mates. R. Davidson having returned to Auckland the Poneke’s loss is amnly compen- ’ sated for by the return of L. Roberts and the scratch mark is still the strongest in the district. Two years ago riding on the peninsula course, Roberts had numerous time plaeings to his credit, and his sprinting' ability will cause his fellow markers uncomfortable moments. Cyril Sparices is riding better each week and he pleasurably surprised Poneke supporters with his great race in the shield contest, fully justifying bis inclusion in the club’s first team. ' Henri Houston, consistent backmarker,. is probably the strongest contender for the gold medal donated by that keen enthusiast. Mr. Roy Ericson, for the most improved rider and Mr. Matson could'include him among the scratch division ns a trial. Houston, when overtaken, has oiitsprinted the scratch men on every occasion this season. 1 rovincial junior champion last, year, Houston, in the annual "102,” surprised by finishing in a place. • Disley and' Len Soweriby always ride a hard race nnd both have yet to display the good form fl) own last season. although they experienced bad hide on Saturday. ft Was heartening to cyclists to have such a splendid number of the Mw Zertland Council. Centre and Clubs officials present and there is no doubt that the shield contests are creating great Interest, as the crowd on Saturday wns the largest seen at a local fixture this seawm. The Poneke Club will he holding a social this evenins. The chib races for. August 4 are:—R3-mile sbiiior. 10|-m>le junior, and n-5-mile messengers event. To-Day’s Hutt Race.

An open 35-mile handicap sponforecl by the Hutt Valley Cycling Chib will be held at Petone to-day. Tl;e race wi . Rtnrt at tbo Potonp Rowing Club builcr Ing nnd proceed throUgh/Cubn Street to the Mn’n Hutt Rond, through Tnitn and Upper Hutt, turning at.the (oof of the Mungarqn Hills and returning to the starting point. , Today’s race-should be a* record for the season, as the three WeHinjcton are now function Ina very well, arid hl! riders are showing improved form. It is noticed that the last three clu-b have been won by front markers. The. wretch division have to work together to m n ke an impress’op on the mnnv young riflors who are riding so well of lateThe race w'll commence nt 3 o clock and the hnndlcnnoitig wil) ■ l>e in the hands of Mr. Rny Grim-wood.