TOUR DE FRANCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 20 June 1928, Page 11

TOUR DE FRANCE.

THE BIG CYCLE CONTEST

AUSTRALIANS LOSING TIME. United Press* Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) Received 1 p.m. to-dav. PARIS, June 19.

A message, from Cherbourg states the Tour de France field has been reduced to 138. It is significant that with lheir .advantage in packing, the Frenchmen. Le Ducq, Frantz, Rebry, Vervacke, Dewele and Dela-nnoy won stage prizes with the time of 4hrs. 12 mins. 29seos.

Opperman’s tiimie was 4hr. 24mio. 48 pec., and Watson’s and Osborne’s 4hr. 29min. 44sec. for a distance of 90 miles. The Australians are helping each other as much as possible to face mishaps and- disadvantages and in this connection .sporting sympathy is shown everywhere. _ , Opperm an, with a splendid sprint at the finish, recorded third fastest time over the final lap. The present -aggregates are: Frantz, Maertens. Rehrv, Dewele, Vervaecke. lOhrs. 41 mi n s 32secs. Opperman lias twenty-second position, his time being llhrs. 14min. 57?ecs. The Australian* are ner si s ten t-ly losin g time through unfamiliar itv with signing and .strange tyres.