CYCLING.

Evening Star, Issue 12926, 24 September 1906, Page 8

CYCLING.

WARRNAMBOOL ROAD RACK. The road race from Warrnambool to Melbourne (165 miles) took place on Saturday. There were 295 entrants (a world's record nomination for a long-distance event), and 206 starters. The following was the result:— ...... D. D. Riley (Victoria), 28miii ....... 1 A. Birch (Fendalton, Canterbury), 24min 2 Humm (New Zealand), 24min * ... ... 3 The winner's time was Sh 58min 55sec. Mehrtens (Spreydon, Canterbury) put up the fastest time, completing the journey in Sh 53min. He finished eleventh from a lt>min start, which is considered to be exceptionally .good. Riley rode a great raco. He had.to dismount three times, and once a piece of glass cut a large slice cut of his tyre. A"'cyclist who was watching the race took off his tyre and gave it to Riloy, who got,going again after a delay of fivo minutes. Boyce iPapanui, Canterbury) finished seventh. The road was sticky, and the greasy going caused numerous falls, Hcndy sustaining painful injuries. The weather conditions early dissipated any hopes of the scratch men overhauling the front rankers. For the first sixty miles there was no wind, but for the rest of the journey a strong wind blew from the side. Several thousand people witnessed the finish of the rare. The riders were so mnch eovered with mud that it was difficult to distinguish them. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. MELBOURNE, September 24. (Received September 24. at 9.57 a.m.) One hundred and sixty-two finished in the Warrnambool race." O'Connor (New Zealand) met with a slight accident, which threw him out of the race. Humm had four falls. The bike.s were over their axles in pissing somo of the watercourses. [Special to toe Star.] CHRISTCHURCH, September 24. A. Birch, who figured so prominentlv in the Warrnambool to Melbourne Road Race, lives at Fendalton, a suburb of Chrislchuroh. Ho is twenty-three vears oid. and lias been riding for" five years. He is slightly built, but muscular, and had not figured promiently in any big raco before ho rode in the Timarn Race last month. Humm. of Spreydon, has figured in manv minor races in Christchurch, Ho is sft 6ih

w height and weighs Bst. Mehrtens is '• P!°Portu>nately built, turning the' scales at : iusi. Ho is twenty-four years of age. :

GOULBU.RN TO SYDNEY. The Goulburn,to. Sydney;-Road Race was decidod on Saturday under the auspices of t.ic .New South Wales-Cyclists', Association! il,e weather was. fine,: and the roads were in good condition. Keen interest taken in i the, event. Fowler (22foin start) and Butler. |32min) took charge bef6re reaching Camden, and maintained the advantage Fowler getting home 6min ahead ot Butler. Ihe winners time was 7h J. Arnsfs record for the distance. Butler took Tli 45min 53sec, Henry (who had 22mm start) 7h 47min 27sec, and Border (scratch) 7h 2min 3scc.