CHAMPION CYCLIST

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 107, 2 November 1926, Page 11

CHAMPION CYCLIST

TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND

K. W. LAMB, OF VICTORIA,

A cablegram has been received by the hon. secretary of ''the Wellington Amateur A'thlotic Centre (Mr. J. O 'Sullivan) stating that B. W. Lamb, tho noted Australian amateur cyclist, has accepted an. invitation to visit New Zealand this' season. The Wellington Centre has taken responsibility for the tour of this champion cyclist, and it is receiving Canterbury's support. Tho visit of Lamb should niako for a particularly attractive cycling season, so far as tho amateur sport is concerned. Although only 19 years of ago, Lamb is credited with a great record of successes ojl truck and road, and he is regarded as being well in tho running for world honours. Tho itinerary of tho tour has not been definitely iixed, but it is already certain that the champion cyclist will make appearances at muotings in Wellington, Mastorton, Christehurch, and Wauganui. Ho may also compete in the Mauawatu. An offer lias been made to include Auckland in tho itinerary. B. W. ("Patty") Lamb is rcgard.t'd as Australia's greatest all-round cyclist and ono of tho best in the world. It is practically certain that he will ba included in Australia's team for tho next Olympic Games. At tho outset of his career, some four years ago, Lamb displayed distinct talent, and it was not long before expectations of great things from him were realised. His first important success was in tho mile junior championship of tho Maivern Cycling Club, Victoria, to which ho is attached. Two years ago ho won the club ten-mile championship, and followed up this success by winning the Australian and Victorian titles. Among notable achievements last year woro his world's records behind motor pace, those with but little experience to help him. From a standing start he covered ten miles in lliniu 22 1-osec. Somomonths ago he set out after new world's records, and in tackling the ten-miles motor-paced record of 14min 44 3-ssee, held by L. Meredith (England) since 1904, ho put up a remarkable performance. He broke all records from ouo to ton miles, covering the full journey in lOmin 3 l-sscc. This season Lamb has been performing remarkably well on the road. He won the Goulburn to Sydney race in great style, and, of course, put up fastest time. Ho has boon putting up other excellent performances weekly. The following tribute to Lamb was paid recently by a former champion: "Lamb is our' big Olympic cycling hope, and we should give him every opportunity to prove his ■worth. Ho has distinct talent, and I regard him as tho greatest all-round amateur Australia has ever produced.'"