CYCLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12696, 26 October 1904, Page 7

CYCLING.

THE WORLD'S CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Full details are now to hand of the world's championships decided at the Crystal Palace track, London, last month, and from reports it would seem that' the racing was not particularly edifying from a spectator's point of view, owing to the crawling tactics indulged in. In describing l the finals the Daily Express of Monday, September 12, says: —»

The ±9(M world's cycling championships will go down as the Americans' year, for they managed to take three out of four champion events by the aid of the two professionals, Robert "Walthour and Ivor Lawson, and their crack amateur sprinter, Marcus Hurley. England's great amateur stayer, Leon Meredith, bagged the remaining contest. .

On Saturday, at the Crystal Palace, a highly successful meeting was wound up before a crowd that, must have numbered 15,000. The racing had been productive of the greatest excitement,- the finish in the final of the .wo kilometre amateur race being; the finest ever witnessed in connection with this always keenly-contested feature. Marcus Hurley just got the verdict by about an inch from the holder, A. L. Reed, the Englishman, while another of our countrymen, J. B. Benyon, was barely half a wheel behind the pair. As in the initial heats, tho crawling system was as much in evidence as ever; in fact, it was far more pronounced when the cracks got together. They had all tried to finesse until Reed, who was ahead, put on steam, and came dashing round the home bend ahead of his rivals.

About a couple of lengths from tho line Reed was still ahead. However, Hurley's marvellous speed just enabled him to snatch the :oveled verdict.

The actual time—llm. 7 2-53.—is sufficient evidence of the tortoise tedium of the greater part of the journey. After this inspiriting show the way wa3 cleared for the final of the professional championship over the same .distance. As was generally anticipated, the Germans, T. EUegaard and Henry Mayer, and the American, Ivor Lawson, *vere the three left in at the completion of the semi-finals. Such was the funereal pace indulged in by tho two Teutons in the final that both fell off, and a re-start was made. A similar pace was still the result, and Mayer brought matters to such a state that he pedalled backwards rather than take tho lead. However, Ellcfraard, by attempting to race and then slowing up abruptly, once more compelled his compatriot to lead tho way. This system of juggling still continued, and i:here were time* when they all stood absolutely still, until there were but two more laps to negotiate.

At this point the Germane flattered themselves that they had compelled Lav/sou to take the initiative, for as he passed the stands ho took a slight lead, However, they did not dream of the magnificent bit of bluff in «tore for them.

Before they knew what had happened, Lawson had left them standing still, for, suddenly going off like lightning, lie must have gained about a fifty yards lead. Kileganrd immediately grasped the situation, and went off in pursuit. He could make no impression on his antagonist, who continued to spurt, and in the end sailed in an easy winner b~ about 10 lengths. Leon Meredith confirmed his previous reputation as a stayer by taking the amateur 100 kilometres (62£ miles) event. Ho not only won, but set up a fresh amateur record for the distance—in fact, throughout he had continually come undei the record times. Hi* tim<? was lb. 35m. 30 t-5«.; the preview best was by the lato A. Goernemam* at Berlin in 1902—1b. 42m. 495. Meredith only won . by sheet pluck, for near the finish, owing co his pedal coming into contact with the track, he was thrown heavily, and wont skimming along the track. He was picked up, but insisted on continuing. His bicycle was so smashed that another had to bo requisitioned, or, which, amid deafening cheering, ho negotiated the few more remaining laps to ensure his victory. ' The 100 kilometres professional championship was decided on the previous Saturday, and Wnlthour's victory is thus described by the Athletic News:—R. Walthotir, America, 1; Simar. France, 2: Vardowtuff, Belgium, .5. The following also rode:—A. Hansen,

Denmark; Gerbi, Italy; and E. Andcmaiß. Switzerland. Wnlthour war soon hanging on to his pacing machine, but Simar snortij afterwards went to the front, and. was a mp ahead at 10 miles. Faster pacing, however, enabled Waltbour to make tip his leeway, and eventually be went to the front f} itov riding for an hour, in which time Waitliour covered 40 miles two laps, ho was a halt-lap to the good. This advantage he rapidly increased, ind although subsequently losing » lap of his long lead throng' having e »a" time, Walthom ■ eventually wop by _ about four and three-quarter laps in lb. 33m. oj 3-ss. Simai and Varderstuff were awarded second and third places without being &WQ upon to finish.