CYCLING TROUBLES

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 23, 28 January 1928, Page 11

CYCLING TROUBLES

STIR IN AUSTRALIA LAMB PASSED OVER EIDER ASSAULTED A big stir has been created in Australian cycling circles by the non-selection of B. W. Lamb in the team for the Olympic Games, and the omission of this fine rider has also caused much surprise in New Zealand, where he registered many fine performances during a tour. This, however, is apparently but one of the reasons for the stirring times at present being experienced in Australia. It is stated that on a recent occasion J. Standen, now en route to New Zealand, was assaulted on the track. Every prominent amateur in any cycling country receives tempting offers from promoters to turn professional, and in future the Australian, when deliberating on the question, is sure to ask himself: Is it worth while giving my best to a sport controlled by a body constituted as at present, which will make me the butt of its quarrels when, on the other hand. I could have been receiving good money for my efforts? Take, for example, the eases of Hubert Opperman and "Fatty" Lamb (writes "Pacer"' in the "Eeferee," Sydney). When they started out on their careers, they were called upon to decide the big question—amateur or professional? They chose different paths. Opperman, being more practical, .joined the professional ranks, while Lamb decided to race for honour and glory. Each became the all-round champion of Australia in his section of the sport, and towered above the other road riders and pace followers. Those who are in a position to judge, consider that Lamb is Opperman's equal, yet how different are their financial positions to-day. When Opperman 's racing days • are over, he will have sufficient to buy a good business, which is his objective. Lamb's objective, on the other hand, was to represent hiß country in the Olympic Games at Amsterdam: He trained as no amateur before him ever trained, and registered such fine performances that his name was known throughout the length and breadth of Australia. What was his reward? In defiance of the opinion of thousands of competent judges, a few delegates say that Lamb "ia not good enough," with the result that his name will not be submitted to the Olympic Selection Committee. A BOMBSHELL. A meeting of the Australian Amateur Cycling Association was convened mainly to decide which cyclists would be recommended for inclusion in the Olympic team. Th 6 association comprises two delegates from Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales. Before the Queensland delegates left Brisbane, it was considered that L. Munro and F. Wruck, Queensland's champions, had a good chance of winning the Olympic tests. There was no question then of Australia not being represented. In the tests, however, th« Queenslanders were hopelessly outclassed, and the attitude of the delegates changed immediately. Mr. James, of Queensland, who is president of the association, drepped the first bombshell by moving that no Australian cyclist be nominated. _It failed to burst, however, and the motion was defeated. This showed clearly that the Queenslanders were determined that, as they possessed no rider competent to represent Australia, no other State should be given the opportunity. The action of \ these northern delegates in placing the interests of their State before that of the sport in general is to be regretted. The next motion before the meeting was one from the New South Wales delegates, Messrs. H. K. Maxwell and H. Gazzara, that the names of three track and three road riders be submitted in order of merit. The object of this was that the Olympic Committee could select the riders according to the funds available. This motion was defeated. Then came the surprise of the day. Mr. G. Perugia, manager of the Victorian team moved that no road rider be sent, as Australia did not possess one of Olympic standard. With the assistance of the Queenslanders, -who, as stated before, did not want anyone to go to' the Games, Mr. Perugia was able to carry his motion, which will always be a blot on the name of Anstralian amateur cycling. LAMB'S POSITION. The attitude of Mr. Perugia needs explaining, as Lamb was a member of his team to visit Sydney for the recent championships and tests, and no one knowß better than the Victorian manager the fine record of Lamb on the road. The New South Wales delegates heatedly opposed the motion. In answer to their questions, Mr. Perugia stated that there was nothing against Lamb's character. It was simply a matter, therefore, of his ability. The question now arises: Is Mr. Perugia competent to judge? He must admit that he pushed the claims of Sid Bamsden, a club mate, for the last Olympic road race, although he knew that Bamsden collapsed after riding in a 100-mile test race on a flat road. In the finish of the same race, the New South Wales rider, Cecil Burness, was interfered with. Bamsden's selection for the Games was just as heatedly opposed by the Press of this State (N.S.W.) as the non-selection of another Victorian, "Fatty" Lamb, for this year's Games. It proves conclusively that the objection to Bamsden was not through interState fooling, but that the critics honestly considered that public money was being wasted. OFFER REJECTED. Although the news of Lamb's nonselection astounded supporters of cycling, Mr. Brueo Small, who manages both Lamb and Opperman, was not surprised. "I was informed in Melbourne that Lamb would not go to the Games," said Mr. Small. "An offer was made to him to join the professional team for the Tour de France with a guarantee that he would be number two in the team. This, however, was rejected, and it was then that the statement was made that Lamb would probably reconsider after the Olympic team had been selected. A curious coincidence bearing out Mr. Small's statement is that the fourth rider for the Tour de France team was chosen soon after a statement was published in a Melbourne paper that Lamb would not go to Europe as a professional if he could not go as an amateur. Mr. Perugia does not quote any figures to prove his assertion that Lamb is not up to Olympic standard. Comparisons have been made in these columns between Lamb's times and those of amateurs from other countries, and they demonstrate that Lamb has an equal chance with anyone in the world of winning at the Games. FURTHER MOVE. Mr. Maxwell, hon. secretary of the association, does not intend to abide by the decision. A mail vote will be taken from members of the Queensland and Victorian Union Councils. With the existing antagonism of the different States, it is quite on the cards that the councillors of Queensland will endorse the Action of their delegates, but in the

interest of the sport it is to be hoped that they record a fair vote. The Victorian followers of amateur cycling received a shock when they heard of Lamb's exclusion. "I feel certain that the V.A.C.U. will vote solidly for Lamb's inclusion in the Olympic team," said Mr. Ealph Small, hon. secretary. The action of Mr. Perugia will be challenge at the next council meeting of the V.A.C.U. Mr. J. M. Corss, handieapper of the League of Victorian Wheelmen, held a similar position in the amateur body for some time, and should be able to judge a rider's ability. "I place Lamb almost on a par with Opperman," he states, "and had he been a professional would certainly have recommended his selection for the Tour de France." [According to a cablegram from Melf" ourne, published in "The Post" on Wednesday, a stormy meeting of the Victorian Cyclists' Union decided that no road rider should be sent to tho Olympic Games.] ATTACK OK STANDEN. The only two riders to be recommended for selection were Jack Standon and Dune. Gray. The Interstate delegates insisted, however, on Standen appearance before Mr. Taylor, -of the Olympic committee, for a lecture. Failing to defeat him on the track, attempts were made to embroil Standen in a disturbance, with the object of haying him branded as an uncontrollable boy. . . Matters reached a climax on Saturday night, when he was assaulted, but, acting on the writer's advice, he made no attempt to defend himself. The executive of the New South Wales Cyclists' Union held an inquiry, and decided to disqualify tUe Queensland champion, Les Munro, for three months.