SPORT OF CYCLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21233, 13 July 1932, Page 15

SPORT OF CYCLING.

«. ; <t. HARD TESTS FOR RIDERS.

WEBSTER'S GOOD PERFORMANCE

FIRST AND FASTEST TIME. In spite of the unfavourable weather conditions which prevailed last Saturday the Auckland, Manukau and Takapuna Amateur Cycling Clubs were able to conduct their weekly road races. The longest road race decided this season was held under the control of the Auckland Club. The event was over a course of 40 miles, extending from the Western» Springs to Kumeu, via the Swanson tunnel hill, and back to the starting point by way of the Lincoln Road. The course is a severe test even under favourable conditions, but the heavy i*in and cold winds last Saturday addftd to the difficulties of the riders.

Fifteen competitors braved the elements but several failed to finish. The race could almost be termed an unpaced event, for all the placed riders finished alone. K. Moshiem,, oS 13m, who commenced racing late last 6eason, won from W. Brear, 13rn, by a margin of 2m 425. His effort was a particularly fine one, as his time of 2h 15m 21s was the second fastest recorded. Prior to last week fastest time honours have been returned either by H. 0. Browne or I. C. Laloli, both of whom rode from scratch on Saturday. On this occasion, however, a new rider, C. Johnson, off 2m, was successful. Johnson has shown great improvement in his riding, especially in distance events. His time of 2h 10m 10s was a splendid performance. H. 0. Browne, sci», was unfortunate in breaking bis chain just as he had overhauled Johnson after going 12 miles.

In the Manukau Club's junior race of 10 miles E. Raper, lm, rode strongly to keep the scratch trio off and to win with 34 seconds to spare. Raper won the last 10 miles, off 2m, and in spite of the severe conditions last week his time of 30tn 6s was 42s better than his previous effort. He becomes a senior at the close of "this month and has every prospect of furthering his reputation as a road rider even among the more experienced riders. 11. V. Gordon's rest from competitive work since the track season was evidently of benefit to him, for on Saturday he rode a fine race to finish second from scratch and to ride away from E. W. Bates and E. L. G. Hughes, also off scratch, on the initial lap. He,was the fastest junior in 29m 40s The 20 miles senior event of the Manukau Club was a triumph for S. G. Webster, who, riding from scratch, scored the double victory, first place and -fastest time. In the final sprint he was hard pressed, but- he gained the line with half a wheel to spare from the Clark brothers, who dead-heated for second position. Webster has had two wins this season and is now equal wi'.h F. R. Markham with 10 points in the Kohn Cup competition, which he won last year. Webster's time was 60m 395,

V. 8. Blomfield, scratch rider of the Takapuna Club, again performed prominently to win his club's 22£ miles sealed handicap in 68m 245, while G. Williams, who was second in the Auckland Centre's event the previous week, finished a close second. For a first-season road rider Blomfield has displayed unusual form and although he has not yet been placed in the open events held each month he has given creditable exhibitions.