CYCLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21315, 17 October 1932, Page 13

CYCLING

NORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP WIN FOR YOUNG RIDER FASTEST TIME TO MATHIESON A youthful competitor of IGJ years. D. Watson, of To Kuiti, riding 38m. was successful in securing first place in the professional long-distanco cyclo road race conducted by tho Auckland Cycle Club on Saturday over a course extending from Cambridge to Papakura, a distance of approximately SO miles. The finish was on a grass track at Princo Edward Park, Papakura. Fifty-threo riders started,, Tho race also carried tho North Island and Auckland provincial road championship titles Both honours wore gained by the wellknown ex-amateur wheelman, K. J. Mathieson, of Auckland, who rode a steady, welljudged race from tho 10in mark with L. G. Fleming, Ghristchurch, and R. It. Watson and \V. Pratncy, of Auckland. Mathieson rodo tho distance in 3h 55m 425. Tho weather was ideal when the officials of the Auckland Cycle Club despatched tho limit men from Cambridge at 11.16 a.m. A big crowd gathered at the start to givo the riders an enthusiastic send-off and through every township en routo the riders received encouragement from spectators lining the roadside. After passing through Hamilton, 14 miles from the start, tho riders had a troublesome head wind for the remaining 6G miles and, with metalled surfaces for 20 miles, the test was severe. 1* alls were frequent while many riders walked some of the sharper grades. Good progress was made by all tho handicap groups to Huntly, 35 miles. Eight riders, Bremner. Jokansen (44m), Harris. Reid, Hills (40m), O. Porter, Lowndes and D. Watson (38m), shared tho lead at this point. At Mercer, 58 miles, Watson. Hills. Lowndes and Ferry (10m) passed through together. liae and Archer (28m) had left their bunch and went through a minute later. Thirteen miles from the finish the riders had commenced to spread out. Watson rode the steep grade after Mercer in great style and obtained a break to pass the checkers at 2h 41s, with a total riding time for the (57 miles of 3h 19m. He led Lowndes and Hills by 3m ss. L. W. Hill (Christcluirch), scratch, had had a heartbreaking ride alone. Shortly after passing the Hamilton traffic bridge he went off the course and was several miles off the correct course when directed back again. At the Pokeno check he was. consequently, a long way behind, and although riding at a good pace he had bo chance of recovering the ground he lost when he made the wrong turn so early in the race. This was most uniortunato and naturally robbed the race of much interest. The successful riders were:—D. Watson (To Kuiti). 38m, 1; T. Townsend (Tauinarmnii), 23m, 2: K. Rae (Auckland), 28m, 3; W. Hansen (Whakatane), 21m, 4; A. W. Pinker (Auckland), lGm. 5; W. Archer (Auckland), 23m; G; K. J. Mathieson (Auckland), 10m, 7; A. O. Belk (Midhurst), 13m, 8. Watson won easily with over half a mile to spare. He looked comparatively fresh after the strenuous ride. His effort for one so light in build and so young in years was one of the best recorded in this annual event. Mathieson, who won the two championship titles, finished with a fast and determined sprint to score a very popular success. Ho entered the gato into the grounds leading his two co-markers, Fleming and Watson, who spurted after him, but on the bend loading into the short straight both riders collided and fell. Mathieson, however, had then too big a lead to be caught in tho short distance remaining. Fleming was the first of tho fallen riders to recover and secured second fastest time in 3h 5Gm 355. WHAKATANE CLUB'S EVENT [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WHAKATANE. Saturday The Whakatane Cycle Club held a club race over tho 14-mile borough course to-day in fine weather. Following were the results:—lt. Benton (3m). X; S. Doncaster (ljm), 2: E. Noland (2'mt. 3. J. Whitten (set) made fastest time of 36m 50s. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP 100 MILES HO AD CONTEST [BY TEI.EGRAM —PRESS ASSOCIATION] GHRISTCHURCH, Saturday The 100 miles amateur road race, on which is decided the New Zealand amateur championship. was held to-day. The weather was tine, but all ihe riders complained of the condition of ihe roads. G. R. Giles made fastest time and won the championship, riding from Christchurch to Ash burton and back in 5h 9m 425. A. J. Hay. (Dunedin), who was with Giles on the scratch mark, finished a length behind him. The platings in the race were:—P. Newell (35m). Is; A .T. F Bradbury (45m), 2: F. H. Thomas (45m), 3. Giles and Hay were seventh and eighth respectively.