SPORT OF CYCLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20623, 23 July 1930, Page 19

SPORT OF CYCLING.

MANUKAU AMATEUR CLUB.

FIRST LONG-DISTANCE EVENT.

The Mauukau Amateur Cycling Club was forturiato in the weather conditions 011 Saturday for its first long-distance event of the present season, a 25-miles rate tor senior division members. A Mrung westerly wind helped the riders on tlio long half-mile climb at the back of the course, which had to bo covered live times

The severity of tho task set the field of 15 starters'is amply illustrated hy tho fact that only seven completed the full distance. Obviously many will to concentrate moro on different training methods and seek out routes entailing hill work before they can hopo to suececrl in tho longer events. Wholesale retirements during the fourth round robbed the race of much anticipated interest. Among tho front markers \V. K. Thompson, 13m 50s, limit, oiid 11. T. Haston. 9m 30s, performed exceptionally well. Thompson led for the first two laps and then liaston passed liiin and maintained the front position until within two and a-half miles of his goal, lie was then passed by the ultimate winner, E. Mullane. In company with C. Harris, E. Mullane, 6m 30s, rode with excellent judgment. The mutual pacing of tho pair was noticeable throughout tho race. It was onlv when halt-way through the fifth a nil final lap that Mullane went away from his partner to pass Baston and win with a margin of 15s. lhis was Mullane's first successful effort of tho season. He rode an abnormally high near of 89in. on Saturday and found it of great benefit on the down grades. O. Harris, 6m 30s, who finished second, is fast coming into prominence on the new course. Out of his last four starts he has registered two seconds and a third. In gaining fastest time honours 11. G. Foubistcr undoubtedly recorded his best performance this year. Just after the conclusion of his third lap ho fell on the first abrupt corner on tho circuit, but, undaunted, he remounted and gamely completed the remaining ten miles. His lido after the. spill was a tine effort and his reward, fastest timo in 69m 46s for the 25 miles, was richly deserved. Tho next fastest rider, E. A. Cleaver, 3m 30s, was 1m 26s slower. Foubister rodo his laps in 13m 4s, the record lap to date, 13m 38s, 13m 595, 14m 50s, the lap on which he fell, and 14m 15s. He finished 3m 6s behind the winner. No event will be held next Saturday on account of tho llugbv test match, but lacing will bo resumed on tho following Saturday with a 15-miles race.