LONGEST CYCLE RACE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 30 September 1924, Page 9

LONGEST CYCLE RACE.

THE CIRCUIT OF FRANCE. Sixty-one of the 157 riders who started on the four weeks Circuit of France C ‘. ce ’ 3250 miles, reached the Parc e' S i rinces > Paris, the finishing point of the world’s longest cycle race. The \\ inner proved to he an Italian named Rottoehiay, who covered the distance in 226 hours 21 minutes. The public apparently take a great interest in such oG,OOO people gathered to see the surviving competitors finish their journey. The circuit is arranged* in stages of certain distances, which depend on the flatness or hilliuess of the stage to be covered, a day’s riding and a day’s rest alternating, the longer stages measuring about 150 miles. When a hilly route is to he ridden, the stage is proportionately shorter, hut each of the stages forms a stiff test of strength and endurance At one point in the Pyrenees the road rises to a height of 6700 feet. About half of the competitors are professionals belonging to lead, ing. bicycle firms. These are accompanied by motor cars carrying spare parts, new bicycles, tyres, and trainers. These riders are well paid and earn handsome prizes for success Several well-known Australian’ load riders, including Don Kirkham, took part in this great annua] French contest many years back, but the> unusual conditions proved too much for the Australian cracks.