With the Wheelmen

Evening Star, Issue 23657, 17 August 1940, Page 6 (Supplement)

With the Wheelmen

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Professional Jottings. The Green Island Club held its race last Saturday from Green Island to the Coach and Horses, returning to Burnside, and back to Green Island, this course being covered three times. The course is a stiff one, and lias been used twice. On the previous occasion A. Ralston, the Otago rider who has met with such success in Australia, was a competitor, the time being 52min 40sec. Last Saturday the course was covered in 56min Ssec, which indicated that Ralston did a lot to speed up the races while he was here. A. Woodford is quickly getting into form since he has returned to Dunedin, and he gained fastest time on Saturday, beating W. Whiston by a length after riding a good race. The limit riders won from end to end. . This pair, K. Gordon and M. Ensor, aro improving every Saturday, and will have to be brought back in the handicaps. After a long spell W. Sasse turned out again and showed good form. He is one of the club’s best riders, and should give a good account of himself when the 50 mile race is decided. C. Ralston was also out for the first time last Saturday. He is out of town a good deal, but expects to be at home every other Saturday from now on, and has begun training seriously in view of the 50 mile race. W. Whiston had to be satisfied with second fastest time on Saturday. He was just getting over the effects of influenza. . Whiston is the present 50mile title-holder, and if he is successful in this year’s race will retain the Donaldson Cup as his own possession. R. Wilson-Pyne did not compete last Saturday owing to indisposition. Supporters will be pleased to see him competing regularly again. R. Price, who is still on the sick list, has not done much riding this season, but in form is a good rider. J. M'Cartney gained third place last Saturday, finishing 14sec behind the winner. Next week a race will be held for the O’Brien Cup. Leading for this trophy is W. Whiston, who also heads the field for the Victor Nelson Cup. Amateur Activities. Over a course from Mosgiel Railway Station to Waihola and return, a distance of 35 miles, last Saturday’s race saw the limit riders fully extend the middle and back-markers, with M. Jones again taking the major honour of being the first x-ider this season to obtain two first places. The two 4imin men, P. Muuro and A. Conn, were only a matter of 50yds behind Jones at the finish, after having ridden a magnificent race, with the next three men home spread out over a distance of 200yds. At a very early stage A. Conn and P. Munro had left their co-markers, setting out to make up the leeway on the bunches in front, and by the time Otokia was reached were riding with the 6min men, with whom they teamed practically to the finish. At Henley on the return journey C. Brown was dropped, C. Webb falling behind when Allanton was reached, but the three remaining riders were together _ until shortly before the line was in view. _ A most disappointing feature of this race, however, was the performance of the 2min bunch, whom it was considered would have the best chance for time honours, taking into account the greater size of their bunch. Throughout the distance correct lapping and team work in general was lacking, and even when caught by the scratch riders some of the members refused to work, and the result was a most unsatisfactory example to younger cyclists. It was pleasing to see M. Jones ride into first place for the second time in the past few weeks, which indicates that his vise is by no moans a temporary improvement in form. Jones is very conscientious in his training, and

it is fully expected that he will provide very stern opposition in the more important longer races shortly. Riding magnificently throughout the P. Munro proved_ himself one of the most determined riders in the club at the present time. At all times he was maintaining a very solid pace, and on several occasions had to reduce speed to enable the dther riders in his hunch to catch up to continue the team work which was evident at all times. This boy still has a season or two as a junior, and with his aptitude for longer distances some fine performances m av he expected. N. M'Donald and A Conn wore with Munro until the last 200yds, and after the sprint for the line had commenced A. Conn lost a little finishing close behind, M‘T)onald having been drooped shortly before this. Having ridden the greater part of the journey alone, D- Fawlev rode an outstanding raco to fill fifth place, and as_ each week marks an improvement in his form, it should not be long, before he figures higher up in the placing®. Probably the most creditable performance on the day was that of C. Hanger, who rode in his first rao P last Saturday. Having had the misfortune to lose his co-markers at the turn, he was forced to complete the return ionrney hr himself, nml with a very timing side wind prevailin'* at the time, rode exceedingly well to finish in sixth place.