SPORT OP CYCLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19699, 27 July 1927, Page 16

SPORT OP CYCLING.

RACING AT MANGERE.

CONDITIONS UNFAVOURABLE.

SOME GOOD PERFORMANCES.

Weather conditions were again unfavourable for fast riding on Saturday, but the three rottd races decided were well supported by riders. The entry for the Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club's 14 miles race established a record for the season. Seven falls occurred during the afternoon, but none was of a serious nature.

The Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club's 14 miles handicap drew a field of 20 riders. The competitors on the five and six-minute marks for the first time this season paced each other well. Entering the last lap, they had such a commanding lead that the back-markers had no chance of getting up. Over the last 300 yards, R Pelham (sm), H. Pelham (sm), D. Storey (4m) and R. Blythe (sm), raced for the line. In a very close finish R. Pelham won from his brother by a few inches, Storey beating Blytho by a length for third place. The time for the race was 39m Is. Fastest time, 37m 35 3-ssec., was gained by F. Prior from scratch. Prior rode one of the fastest finishes seen at Mangere.

R. Pelham is a much improved rider and his finishing sprint was put in at the right time. He is likely to place more wins to his credit before the end of the season. H. Pelham, who is a brother of the winner, lost first place by looking round a few yards from the finish.

Manukau Club's Events. The Manukau Amateur Cycling Club held two road races at Mangere. The 27 miles race to Papatoetoe, via Tamaki and back, attracted 31 starters. The middle-markers paced each other so well that they had matters their own way over the last five miles. The backmarkers had not made up much of their handicap when they started on the return journey. The finishing sprint was made over the last 50 yards, and H. MacElroy (4£m) won by a few inches from A. W. Pinker (s£m). P. Piatt (s|m) was half a length away third. Fastest time was fained by C. Galbraitb (305.) in 76m Is.

H. MacElrov, the winner, gained his first victory. He rode a well-judged race, taking more than his share of the pacing, and winning by a well-timed sprint. Pacing Complaints. > Competitors should remember that a rider who refuses to take his fair share of the pace can be dealt with by the officials governing the race. Complaints of this nature should be made direct to the secretary in writing, within 15min. of the finish of the race. C. Galbraith (30s), who secured fastest time, is a most consistent rider. He finished very strongly and can be depended on to do well in long-distance racing. The junior race of 5£ miles was responsible for another fine performance by S. Lichfield (30s). He won the event and captured fastest time. He was in a winning position two miles from the finish, and won comfortably. D. Hope (30s) was second, and A. Rose (l£m) third. S. Lichfield, the winner of the junior race, has won two races, and one fastest time in succession. His time on Saturday, 14m 59 l-ss, was good, considering he rode most of the journey alone. The Southbrook Cycling Club, Canterbury, held a road race last Saturday over a distance of 18 miles. Twenty-two riders started. The roads were in good order for racing, but the weather was bitterly cold, and was responsible for a good number of riders not completing thp journey. A. G, Ritchie, C. Austin, and "W. T. Weir were on the scratch mark, and L. Scuff ell, L. Pither and J. W. Jordan had a handicap of lmin. Scuffell fell at one of the corners and joined tho scratch men. In spite of this extra help, the back markers lost ground on the one-minute men, who eventually beat them by over two minutes. Jordan won the race and secured fastest time. Timaru-Ghristchurch Race.

The Timaru-Christchurch prize list is now out and totals £350 in casli and trophies. The winner will receive a prize valued at £75. The fastest time rider, besides receiving a prize to the value of £25, will receive the Dunlop Tyre Company's cheque for £3O, to enable him to proceed to Australia to compete' in the Warrnambool-Melbourne road race, which is to be held on October 8. In all 35 prizes are offered. Certificates will be presented to competitors riding the distance within the time limit. At Marshlands on Saturday, the Shirley Cycling Club, Christchurch, held a successful 18 miles race. There were 29 starters and the places were won by the scratch men, R. Lukey and F. Grose. Although these riders gave a five-minutes' handicap, they seemed to have no difficulty in overhauling the field, and caught the 3m and 4m men early. In the sprint Grose won easily and also secured fastest time. Sport in America. The bicycle sport is more popular than ever in America, but most of the money is made in six days' races, and the everthrilling motor-paced events. At New York these events aro decided weekly and at Newark, Boston and Providence two events are run.

The Manukau Amateur Cycling Club will hold a 27-miles senior time trial and a s£-miles junior race at Mangere on Saturday. The Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club's race for Saturday will be a 20 miles open handicap.