SPORT OF CYCLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21589, 6 September 1933, Page 16

SPORT OF CYCLING

FIFTH OPEN ROAD RACE DWIGHT'S OUTSTANDING RIDE The fifth of the Auckland Amateur Cycling Centre's open road races, held last Saturday, was the most interesting and most difficult of the series decided this season. The 44 miles course extended from Dcvonport, via Riverhead to the Western Springs. Sections of newly-metalled surfaces mado for cautious riding. Weather conditions approached the ideal, only a light southerly breeze prevailing. All local amateur cycling clubs wero strongly represented, while two scratch riders of the Waikato Club s , M. Jones and R. Norman, raced off the 5m 30a mark. The 56 starters comprised 3.1 Manukati Club riders, 0 Auckland, 6 Papatoetoe, four riders from both the Takapuna and Lynndalo Clubs, and two from Waikato. Free-wheel clutches were again popular, and" 31 of tho entrants had their machines so equipped. Tho percentage of finislierd was extremely satisfactory, 46 riders being clocked in. After this fine all-round exhibition, a great race is anticipated in the 100 miles championship next month, which will close tho open road ovcuts of tho contro. W. 11. Walker, the Manukau Club rider, who won from tho 15m 30s mark, rode a steady race throughout. Over the first 30 odd miles ho was one of a bunch of ton riders, but over the last 12 miles ho and W. Crocker, tho Auckland Club representative, who finished second, four lengths behind, went ahead of tho group and maintained tho leading position, to finish lm 44s ahead of tho third man. Walker has tho distinction of winning two centre races, as ho succeeded in the August race of 40 miles, off 22m. W. Crocker has somo good distance rides credited to him. In 1931 ho won his own club's championship race over the same course, olf 13m 15s. On Saturday ho bettered his 1931 effort by nearly six minutes. For a junior rider C. T. Dvvight, 14m 80s, of tho Manukau Club, did particularly well to finish third inches ahead of another Manukau junior; E. H.- Hansen, who rodo from tho same mark and shared tho pace with Dwight. Tho Manukau Club's scratch rider, L. H. Dwight, gained fastest and record time after a, most outstanding ride. Before reaching Birkenhead, seven miles from tho start, ho had ridden away from his brother, H. R. Dwight, and R. Arvidson, tho two other scratch riders. Ho broke his old course record by lm 49s when he finished sixth, to clock 2h 7m 21s. Ho finished 3rn 28s after the winner, and was 4m 31s faster than tho next best rider, W. Barry, 4m 30s, who won tho Auckland Club's- race over tho snmo course the previous week. Dwight has gained fastest time in threo of the five open races this year. The Manukau Club will conduct its annual 15 miles race for tho Cotter Cup n«xt Saturday. The trophy was first raced for in 1920, and last year's winner was J. H. McLachlan, off 3m 15s.