HUBERT OPPERMAN’S GREAT RIDE.

Northern Advocate, 13 October 1928, Page 14

HUBERT OPPERMAN’S GREAT RIDE.

Hubert Opperman, the Australian cyclist, was doing magnificently in a 24 hour race at Paris held on Sunday, September 2. A cable message states that he was third at 2 a.m., close behind the Italian, Belloni and the Frenchman Souc.hard, both of whom abandoned the race at midday when they were still leading. Opperman then leading urged his motor cyclist pacer to crack on speed. This caused confusion among his opponents. He covered 358 miles in the first 14 hours which is six miles outside a world record. His nearest opponent was then 38 laps behind him. In, 16 hours Opperman covei’ed 405 miles. Later.—A further cablegram conveyed the good news that Opperman succeeded in winning this event from Maulon and Herot. The distance covered in the 24 hours was 598 miles, Oppermans success in this important event is a fitting climax to the long run of bad luck that has followed the Australian road champion during his

European trip. Opperman sails for Australia early in October, and intends, if possible to take an Australian team of cyclists to Europe for next season’s racing. ,

The race is one of the oldest and most historical twenty-four-hour cycle races in the world, dating back to 1894 when Huret, the great French rider, was successful. •' Opperman’s achievement in winning this classic race and establishing a new human paced competition record of 590£ miles, was a particularly fine one; the distance covered being the best human paced performance associated with the 80l d’Or.

One of the greatest achievements in this classic race was the wonderful ride of the English champion, A. E, Walters, away back in July, 1899, when he defeated the finest long distance riders of Europe, winning by over 43 miles, and covering the remarkable distance of 634 miles 774 yards in the full day. On that occasion the Bold d’Or was motor paced with tandems and tricycleg, pedal assisted by their riders. No windshields were permitted. The event was decided on the, Parc des Princes track, a famous open-air arena in Paris. It is interesting to note that Walters covered 32 miles 18 yards in the first hour, and 26 miles 1215 yards in the last 60 minutes. He rode an Ariel-cycle, geared to 112 inches' and fitted with steel rims and Dun-, lop detachable tyres.

Although the exports of motor cars from Austria far exceed the imports, there is a large surplus of imports over exports in the case of motor cycles. This is mainly due to the number of British machines imported into the country. * * • * During the first six months of 1928 petrol imports into New Zealand to- ! tailed 28,305, 3-11 gallons, ah increase of over 4,800,000 gallons on the imports for the first half of last year. The petrol tax for the six months amounted to over £470,000. This was subject to deductions for refunds to non-motoring users but the yield nevertheless exceeded' expectations, the estimate at the time of the introduction of the motor spirit tax at the end of last year being £730,000' per annum.