SPORT OF CYCLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21807, 23 May 1934, Page 17

SPORT OF CYCLING

OPEN RACE AT TAKAPUNA L. H. DWIGHT IN FORM The first open road race of the season to bo promoted by a club was the 22i miles event held under the control of the Takapuna Club. Although the field was not so large as that which competed in the open event last year the city clubs were strongly represented. The race was over six laps of the practically level circuit which encloses Lake Puptike. A portion of the course is of concrete and tar-sealed surfaces, hut the short section of metal surface on which the riders had to contend with a serious head wind was the slowing factor. With their knowledge of the home course the Takapuna riders proved their ability by filling the first three places. A. Parker, A. Gunn and L. Denning, all oil' (iin .'sos, rode throughout as a team. Thev obtained the lead shortly after the end of tho third lap. Parker won by a wheel from Gunn in tho good time of 65m 6s.

The Manukau Club representative, J. W. Clark, whose improvement has been rapid this season, gained fastest time after a convincing display, during which he rode away from tho other three scratch men, V. S. Blomfield, I). Lydford, of tho Takapuna Club, and F. It. Markhftni, of the Manukau Club. Clark rode tho 22.1 miles in 59m 30s and was over one minute faster than the Auckland Club representative, A. M. Keith, who had lm start, and was the second fastest competitor. The Manukau Club's senior event was tho outstanding raco of this season on the circuit at Avondale South. A field of 27 started and a bunch of eight riders figured in an exciting finish. With apparent ease It. C. Chappoll ! emerged from the group with another powerful finisher, J. G. Morris, about 200 yards from the line. Chappoll, sm, won by half a length. In tho absence of J. Brown, L. 11. Dwiglit, lm 30s, was the virtual scratch rider. Dwight gave his best exhibition of the season when he made fastest time in Gfmi 21s after an unassisted effort. He rode with splendid judgment. It was bis first success this road season. Last October Dwight gained fastest time in the Palmerston North to Wellington annual event of 102 miles. A. G. Patrick, holder of the Auckland 100 miles amateur road championship title, which he gained last October made his appearance again with the Auckland Club last week. He found his rival, L C. Laloli,, too good. Both started from scratch and Laloli succeeded in making the fastest time for tlic 2;IJ miles course at To Atatu in 67m 10s. For a recruit W. Hedges revealed fine stamina when he won fairly easilv by 22 seconds from the 8m mark. O. B. White, the Papatoetoe Club rider, who created a surprise when ho finished first and gained fastest time in tho Auckland Amateur Cycling Centre's first open raco of 21J miles, rode another fine race last Saturday, when ho returned fastest time from scratch m his club's 15 miles event. He covered the distance in the fast time of 'l2lll 2:5s to displace the other scratch man, S. K. Pinfold, for the honours. One of t)ic. club's smallest riders, H. Waite, won oil' Jin :50s. Tho youngest of the Auckland clubs, Beach Haven, held another long race over an out-and-homo course to Albany and back, a distance of 25.V miles. B. G. Sharp, scratch rider of the 'lakapuna Club last year, continues to uphold bis reputation. He was third and gained fastest time in lh 10m 20s. H. Hilder, off 8m :50s, rode impressively to finish 2m 25s ahead of Sharp, and out-' sprint J. Morris, 6m 30s, for first place.