ROAD CYCLING

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 287, 31 August 1935, Page 24

ROAD CYCLING

Hope Gibbons Shield Race PROSPECTS FOR TO-DAY

(By

C.V.A.)

With good weather conditions prevailing, the Port Nicholson club's usual starting point at Islam! Bay should witness a , record gathering of supporters at the second event for the coveted Hope Gibbons teams' shield over this club's fast course to-day, and, with the various teams practically assured of a troublefree ride, some first-class pedalling should be witnessed with fast times the order of the day. The fact that only 38 seconds separate the two leading combinations, Petone A and Poneke B should lend added interest, and while the former can be depended upon to make strenuous endeavours to retain their slender lead, a reversal of the placings is quite likely, as the individuals comprising the Poneke B team have < ach. in recent handicap events, pedalled with considerable success, and their combined efforts to-day should test even their club associates who form the crack A team. While Port Nicholson and Poneke A combinations are, as a result of machine bother in the initial event at Kilbirnie. almost four minutes behind the leaders, expected improvement should leave them within striking distance for the final tussle, which will be staged a few weeks hence; nevertheless, a line as to the probable winners will doubtless be obtained at the conclusion of this afternoon’s contest. “Continental” Event.

The Port Nicholson club officials, in view of the teams’ race to-day, afforded their active numoers the benent of massed racing by holding an unusual race, which is generally known as the Continental style, the riders being graded and started in their respective bunches. Two lots of r-ders faced the starter, and, as each practically comprise the A and B teams tor to-day’s event, the lesser lights upset calculations somewhat by traversing the 22-mile journey a minute faster

than their redoubtable club mates. Frank Hull has transferred his allegiance from the Poneke club, and will be a valuable acquisition to the yellow and blacks. The "annual "102” is Frank’s object.

Gruelling Contest. A northerly wind at gale force evidently proved uninviting to several Poneke members; nevertheless, a handy 13 set out on their cheerless task, but, unfortunately, the puncture fiend got to work with a vengeance, resulting in only four completing what proved to be a gruelling 33mile journey. The long handicap men have not met with much success this season, and cannot hope to unless they acquire combination similar to that demonstrated 'by their more speedy club mates among the rear markers. Moreover, when several of their co-markers fail to start, their task is all the more difficult, especially in long events, when the unfortunates ones quite often are forced to ride almost an individual race. The continued success of the middle and rear handicap lads is easily explained. The club handicapper, with an eye to the future welfare of the limit men, could draw, the handicaps in somewhat, and a decided improvement would shortly be evident, as racing with the better performed riders would doubtless have the desired result after a few events.

Henri Houston, winner of dual honours, has certainly struck a brigat patch of recent weeks, and his next outing should find him on his rightful mark, scratch. A good club member, Houston has developed stamina, and his ability over a distance cannot be denied. While he is almost certain to win the Wallaby Finishing Cup, he now appears to be a real menace to Frank Blackett in a keen contest for the Ericsson Cup. Club captain Leo Walsh, while pedalling'a good race each week, has not achieved the amount of success he has deserved, but a welcome change was in store when he figured as runnen-up to Houston in time and placing honours. Still in his teens, Walsh is rapidly developing solidness, for which his weekend training spins 'over the tought 00mile Akatarawa-Waikanae route is responsible, although he would be well advised not to overtrain.

G. Duncalf, Poneke’s latest recruit, followed his previous week’s second placing by annexing third place, and has already displayed ability as a stayer. With a fair start he’should do well in the annual “102”; he is keen and appears to improve with each outing. A limit rider, L. Gables, saw matters out te a bitter finish, and a repetition of this spirit should shortly find him in the placings. He was unfortunate in just 'being overtaken a few hundred yards from the finishing line. _ Ponekeitcs were delighted when the diminutive G. Phillips rode into first place in the junior 11-miler, Closely followed 'by another vest-poqket edition, R. Simrkes, who’has not missed an event this season, senior or junior. Both have repeatedly competed in senior events, displaying rare pluck, and on occasions have been object lessons to several of the older riders, who have shown a lamentable lack of club spirit. Ken McLeod appears to have slipped somewhat _ since his fine win in the Makara time trial, although his third placing was a useful effort, but the most likely improver, when he attains senior status, appears to be G. Howard, who followed his previous first and fastest effort of a fortnight ago with another time placing; and splendid time it was considering the stiff wind. Doug. Evans made one of his rare anpearances. bnt was out of condition. This good peda’ler would soon regain his torm.of a few years back should he train consistently, as there is still any amount of cycling in him.

Promising Debut. Another event which was marred by machine bother and spills was the 20jmile event conducted by the cash club, and a keen contest resulted in a victory for a newcomer, P. Doherty, who rode a considerable portion of the journey unaccompanied.

Doherty revealed sufficiently good form to label him as a promising rider indeed, and his effort should be shortly repeated, as he will still be on a fair mark. A, Johnson obtained his first placing, and was just headed off by the new recruit; however, this success should encourage him, as in past events he nas been a trier.

After a few weeks’ absence, Gordon Staveley returned, and made his presence felt by annexing third money, Gordon, despite his win in the club’s initial event, has not quite displayed hig best form, but with steady training be should be soon heard of again.

Ken Nankivell, in fourth place, had to submit to Staveley’s superior sprinting ability; nevertheless, his repeatedly honest efforts seldom find him far behind the place-winners.

With the scratch men meeting with bother. Bill Lasky was not extended to annex time honours, and this good effort revealed that he should perform with credit in the annual Timaru-Christcuurch event, in which he hopes to uphold the family traditions. Jack Puniti was second speediest, and, like Lasky, is about ready for the nig professional contests. Given a middle mark, Jack should not be far from the winner in the ‘‘round-the-mountain’’ event.

Successful Policy. It has been the Petone club’s policy to prepare its members for competition with kindred clubs by promoting similar events to those arranged for the open contests, and the success of the suburban ciub so far in the Hope Gibbons contests is in no small measure due to the wisdom of the officials, severe contest in the nature of a pipe-opener for the “50” wa.- held, the event being under Olympic condiover a 45-mile course. Tom Bog demonstrated that he is a

decided prospect for provincial honours by annexing first time, and winning the sealed handicap, his time, considering the adverse conditions, being excellent. Tom is a much too infrequent competitor. Second both in time and handicap, Charlie Biggs rode to advantage although it was not expected that Roe would defeat him by -a margin of 12 minutes. Biggs has enjoyed bis best season to date by his honest pedalling, and would perform even better with more soliu competition.

Charlie’s younger brother. Harry has been engaged in a neek-to-neck struggle for possession of the Kerr Cup for juniors, but, in annexing second fastest time, became the proud possessor of the trophy for 1935. Cook, although he won Saturday s 20mile event, only failed by two poin t, but has some measure of comfort, as he has often figured in the placings this year. The suburban club has some pronrsing material in the junior ranks, and the future is in good hands The Petone chib has committed a serious breach of the rules by failing to present successful place-getters in their open events with the prizes allotted Th* rules provide “that trophies or orders must be awarded not more than a week after the race,” and as amateur cyclists nave to plunge deeply into their pockets, some consideration should be forthcoming