Amateur Road Cycling

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 172, 24 July 1939, Page 3

Amateur Road Cycling

SATURDAY’S RACE WON BY WEBBER, OF WELLINGTON

The Palmerston North Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club conducted their annual road race, Palmerston North to Bulls and back, on Saturday. The weather was fine but cold and a stiff head wind had to be contended with on the outward journey, but was to the riders' advantage on the run home. Forty-nine starters took part and although there were several spills, most of the riders finished. The first men. to be sent away were Allen and Garpatk off the 14-minute mark. At Newbury tho scratch men had gained 13 seconds on the 11-minute men. Seven miles out Graham, Copp, Dearsley and Foley, riding strongly against the wind, had gained on the GJminute men, who were led by Campbell. Near Mt. Stewart, Sheridan and Walker crashed but remounted and continued, they being overhauled by Rogers and Fish. Webber, Batten, Lucinsky and Gestro, the llj-minute men, had now caught the limit men. On the run down the other side of Mt. Stewart Hussey and a few others dropped out. At Sanson Webber, Batten, Lucinsky and Gestro were in the leading bunch. At tho Ohakea Aerodrome corner Batten dropped out. Hall, Wagstaff, Campbell, Harrison, Doreen and Simpson all crashed but pluckily remounted and continued. The first- to turn at Bulls were Webber, Lucinsky, Allen and Gestro; then came Walker, Rogers, Graham, Fisher, Harrison, Fish, Copp, Dearsley in that order, and the way they were riding it looked as if they would catch the leaders. Then came Essex, Pidwell, Keighly, Kent, Woollett, followed by Donovan, Beswarick and Brown, tho last threo going strong and it looked at this stage as if they would be among the place-getters. Tho scratch men were working well together, with McNab going the best. At Awahuri Rogers, Fish Dearsley and Harrison were hard on tho leaders and Campbell, who had crashed earlier in the race, was also coming fast and also getting nearer the front men five miles from home, aud ho rodo a good race to finish eighth, ahead of Wilson, who was beaten by Webber, Allen, Harrison, Fish, Little and Rogers in that order. In a very fast finish among the scratch

men for fastest time honours, Dutton won by a length from McNab, wilh Loader half a wheel back. The detailed Tesults are as follow: S. Webber (Wellington), .. 1 G. Allen (Feilding), 14min 2 G. Harrison (Wanganui), 64min. .. 3 A. Fish (P.N.) Smin 4 First visiting rider out of a place, F. Wilson (Dannevirke). Fastest Times.

R. Dutton (Wgtn.), scr., lhr. 27min. 59 2-ssec. l D. McNab (P.N.), scr., lhr. 27min. 59 3-ssee 2 R. Loader (P.N.), scr., lhr. 27min. 59 4-ssec 3 j The officials were:—Referee, Mr. N. C. Dixon; marshal, Mr. S. Webber; judges, Messrs J. Rush, W. Wiggs, A. Menzies, R. Thomas, B. Sutherland; timekeepers, Messrs W. Woollett, W. McCardle, A. Loader; handicapper and starter, Mr. P. Hulbert; stewards, Messrs C. Chaiuey, E. Pillinger, W. MeXab, F. Manning, E. Hall, R. Stokes, R. Carlson, S. Sutherland, G. Little, A. Tingey; hon. secretary, Mr. C. Stagpoole.