ROAD CYCLING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 258, 28 September 1935, Page 9

ROAD CYCLING.

100-MILE RACE. NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP. Seventy-two riders, making one of l the strongest fields which has ever contested the event since it was established in 1926, started from Church Street this morning, before a large crowd of spectators, in the annual Palmerston North-Wellington amateur cycle road race, which carries with it the New Zealand 100-mile amateur road championship for the rider making fastest time. Promptly at 9.30 a.m. the two limit riders, both veterans aged 48 and 56 years respectively, were despatched after the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) had offered words Of encouragement and expressed the hope that they would have a trouble-free journey. He commented that conditions for road racing were vastly improved to-day on what they w r ere 30 or 40 years ago. He felt that he would like to be pedalling off with the field himself, but doubted his ability to go beyond Lougburn. (Laughter.) o Weather conditions were perfect and it was anticipated that the majority of. ’the field would cover the distance in a little over five hours, there being almost a complete absence of wind when they were despatched. The race is scheduled to finish on the Petone Oval. The holder of the championship, R. B. Blakeway (Christchurch) is defending his title, another Christchurch contestant for the honour being P. J. Grose, who won it in 1930. Behind the riders followed a lorry with their luggage. It will pick up “road casualties" through punctures or other mishaps. The first'ieeuing station is at Levin, and oranges will be supplied to the riders after their stiff climb up the Paekakariki Hill. The race is being conducted under the auspices of the Wellington Centre, assistance with the organisation at this end having been given by the West Coast Centre. Mr M. Matson was the handicapper and starter and Mr H. Webber referee. Cali stewards were Messrs C. Stagpoofe, J. Cooksley and ] L Roberts. I The fastest time yet made for the I race was established by It. Foubister l (Auckland), when he covered the course in 4hr 39min. 39sec. in 1931, the next best time of 4hr 52min. 45sec. being made by 0. Disley (Wellington) last year. Both W. Glennie and J. Hegglun, Blenheim riders who won the race off the 45min. mark in 1933 and 1934 respectively, did not start in today’s event, though they had nominated for the race. G. Lukey, formerly of Christchurch, is the only scratch rider who has ever finished in front of the field; he won the race in 1927 and again in 1928. Starters were as follow: 6'Omin. —R. Flutey, T. Young (Levin). 50min.—C. V. Aldridge, L. Garbes, H. F. Bayley, N. McLeod, J. McC'arrison, E. Robinson (Wellington). 45min. —I. M. Perkins (Napier), R. G. Gibson (Apiti), K. Attwell (Palmerston North), W. C. Barlow, G. A. Duncalf (Wellington). 40min. —W. G. Pcdley (Palmerston North), J. R. McKay (Waipawa), A. Mudgway (Otaki), L. Tantrum (Shannon), D. Patterson (Dannevirke), J. Davis (Levin), W. Smithers, A. Huxford (Wellington). 35min. —K. Pepea (Bulls), A. D. Judd, T. Mudgway (Otaki), G. Morgan (Levin), M. A. Hunt (Napier), J. Burn, J. A. Robson (Nelson), It. Lambevton (Feilding), R. Triplow (Wellington). 30min. —H’. W. Archibald (Marton), J. Kerr, T. J. Langley (Nelson), R. Barber, C. Ericsson (Wellington), A. H. Mandell, G. Innes-Jone-s (Feilding), T. George and G. A. Milroy (Levin). m 25min. —J. Preston (hoxton), R. I. Gray (Levin), H. Hodson (Wanganui), A. Eade (Feilding), M. K. Osgood (Blenheim), W. Sinclair, P- Roe (Wellington), J. It. Treweek, R. Evans (Nelson), C. Sheerin (Palmerston North): „ _ ~ T Blackett, R. Dutton, L. Walsh, H. Houston (Wellington), H. W. Pederson, D. M. Christian (Napier). „ 15min. —T. Townsend (Wanganui), A. F. Patterson (Dannevirke), J. E. Boulton, L. W. Sowerby (Wellington), E. F. Rapier (Auckland). 10min. —W. Pidwell (Wanganui), F. Franklyn (Pahiatua), G. Esau, E. G. Lawrence (Palmerston North). C. A. Hawkins/(New Plymouth), J. W. Callaghan (Napier). g cri _F. J. Grose, R. B. Blakeway, I J. Tavlor (Christchurch), O. Disley (Wellington), J. H. W T ade (Wanganui), M. Gamble (Auckland). Scratchings were as followJ. DRichards (Christchurch), scr.; W • Glennie (Blenheim), 10mm. ; L. S. Radford (Christchurch) and R. N. Miller (Paliiatua), 15; T. Hegglun (Blenheim), 20- M Karetai (Christchurch), 30; A. W Coulter (Otaki) and A. Redmond (Gisborne), 35; H. Hammond (Manakau), 60.