CYCLE ROAD RACE

Evening Star, Issue 18394, 1 October 1923, Page 5

CYCLE ROAD RACE

TIMARU TO CHRISTCHURCH,

WON BY H. G. WATSON,

IT. G. Watson, of Marshland, won the Timaru-Christchurch road race, on Saturday hv a quarter of a mile, from T. F. P. M’Avey (Ashburton), with J. Evans (Fernside) third. One hundred_and sixty-three of the scheduled competitors faced the starter at Timaru to stand their ground. All the starters left their marks sharp on time. On the whole the race was a gruelling test, a strong nor’-west wind blowing* in the riders’ faces practically from start to finish. A great many of the unfit contestants will probably say “Never amun.” There was a crowd of about 3,000 at Canterbury Park Grounds to see the finish.

Watson and M'Avcy entered the course together just after 3.30, and Matson drew away, riding strongly to the finishing post. Turning into the straight, ho spurted up to the judge’s box amidst rousing cheers. M'Avcy was a quarter of a mile away, and finished the round before there were any others in sight.. The next men comprised a bunch of five in a motor car, but immediately following was J. Evans, riding on his own. About 300yds away camo L. Pvc (Tcmuka). As they went round the course the strong wind proved a tough proposition. They completed the course in the order of entry. H. Moft’et (Islington) was the next to appear, being just in front of E. E. Pearco (Islington). • He drew away, and Pearco was beaten for sixth place by C. G. Lango (Riccarton), who camo into the course a few' yards behind them.

“I had a good run,” said the winner in an interview. Watson is^ nineteen years of age, and a member of the Marshland Mairehau Club. This was his first attempt at the big race. Very praiseworthy performances were put. up by L. Pyc (lemuka), a slim youth of but fifteen years, who started off the 50min mark, and by G. Lango (Riccarton), a man of forty-five years of age, who had not ridden in a race for eighteen years. Lange had a son in the race, and" ho was riding well when he got a couple of punctures. After that he made up a lot of lost ground, but another puncture put him out of the contest. The veteran Phil. O’Shea, secured the fastest time, covering the distance in 6h 50gsec. O’Shea is thirty-four years of age, and has competed in the liniaru-Christ-chnrch roa.d race on nine occasions. He has secured two firsts, threo_ fourths, and the fastest, time on six occasions. In the 1915 race ho secured first place and fastest time from scratch. The following wore the placings of the principal men to-day :

11. G. Watson (Marshland), 34min ... 1 T. F. P. M’Avey (Ashburton), 46min ... 2 J. Evans (Fernside), 41min 3 L. I’ve (Temuka), 50min ... _ 4 H. Moffet (Islington), 43min 5 C. G. Lango (Riccarton), 50mm 6 E. E. Pearce (Islington), 38niin 7 J. Templeton (Ashburton), 25min 8 W. Birch (Christchurch), 31min 9 A. Sutherland (Redcliffs), 50min 10 Best times wore as follow:

F. O’Shea Hrs. 6 Min. 0 Sec. 50|; H. G. Watson ... 6 11 1 G. J. Allan 6 12 30 J. Templeton ... 6 21 35 H. W, Birch ... 6 27 T. F. F. M’Avey 6 27 50 J. Evans 6 28 24 E. E. Pearce ... 6 32 6