WITH THE WHEELMEN

Evening Star, Issue 21641, 9 February 1934, Page 5

WITH THE WHEELMEN

CYCLING NEWS AND NOTES

[By Pistol.]

Amateur Jottings. The new system of amateur championships attracted a lot of interest, and there is no doubt that they have a good deal to commend them, especially where there are a number of riders of fairly even quality in competition against one another. In the time trials, however, there was rather too much difference in the times to rouse the spectators to any great pitch of , excitement, but as the standard improves so, too, will this class of , event become more popular. An improvement would be the provision of larger board for the displaying of times recorded by the various riders.

W. Frame, of Invercargill, showed that he is not only a stayer, but a good sprinter as well by carrying off the fivemile and the quarter-mile Otago track championships this week. He also put up the fair time of lmin 27 2-ssec for the kilometre time trial. This rider has an exceptionally strong push, and showed it more especially m the fivemile event after a hard tussle with G. Smith and J. Brown, of Milton, who filled second and third places respectively. J. Brown was also second to Frame in the quarter-mile, but lacked dash over the last few yards. Frame winning by a length and a-half. G Foster, who won the time trial in the fast time of lmin 24seo with 3-ssec to spare from G. Smith, showed his usual capacity for lone riding, keeping up a steady pace throughout. G. Smith also rode well in this event, but was tiring over the last stretch, slowing down considerably. W. Sivertsen deserved his win in the mile handicap on Monday evening, riding with plenty of dash. He not only secured a fair lead in the last lap, but came away at the finish to win by over 10yds. C. Gilchrist rode consistently throughout the championships, and, although not in the finals, gave good displays. He was unfortunate in having to retire in the five-mile event when his pedal broke off. Professional Notes. The best race of the night at last week’s professional meeting .was the half-mile Traill Memorial Cup, Hay and Hansen providing one of their old-time tussles up the straight, with Kennedy running close for third place. Hay just got home by half a wheel in a thrilling finish. C. Hansen rode well in the half-mile from scratch to take second place after winning his heat in the fast time of 64 2-ssec. Five new riders were seen in action during the night, and their promise was revealed by the fact that the first three places in the two-mile event were filled by the new men. J. Milligan is a strong type of rider, and should be heard of from harder marks. D. Trevathan is a powerfully built boy, and -if he elects to stick to the game should do well. E. Hay, a brother of Albie Hay, has also made a start. in professional ranks, and collected third place in the two-mile event last week. Vic. Scott showed sprinting capabilities in winning the one-mile from Bob Wilson-Pyne._ Vic. is probably one of the best sprinters in Otago when fit, and is unfortunate in having had such a run of bad luck. If R, Wilson-Pyne can reproduce last week’s form he should soon be heading the field home. A. Andrews and R. Thompson are recruits to the club’s ranks, and with a little training should soon bo prominent in competition. “ Toby ” Dixon and A. C. E. Wills, tho club’s veteran riders, made a reappearance last week, and gave a good account of themselves. J. Brosnan and T. Kearney intend making a start again, and, with the reappearance of A. Ralston, D. O’Brien, and G. Heasley to provide competition for Hansen, Hay, Kennedy, Scott, and Tom Brosnan, there should be some exciting racing in the near future. Harold Cooper has not ridden since the Waimate-Chvistchurch road race, but intended to be a competitor this week. If he can show his old form he, too. should be a big acquisition to his club. Notes. The Otago Athletic and Cycling Club has an exceptionally good megaphouist ia Bill Lucas. He provides spectators at the “ Cale ” with a very interesting running commentary of the events. This club intends holding a meeting at Mosgiel on Saturday, February 17, when a programme which will include two amateur races will be run off. The amateur events will be mile and twomile handicaps. Ossie Nicholson, holder of the -world’s twelve months’ record, may go to West Australia towards tho close of the present season, where he will team with British sprint champion, Syd. Cozens, in distance teams’ events (says an Australian writer).