SPORT OF CYCLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22400, 22 April 1936, Page 21

SPORT OF CYCLING

ROAD SEASON OPENED MANY AMATEURS COMPETE Five of the local amateur cycling clubs opened their road racing season on Saturday, a strong easterly wind prevailing. The sport promises to be again most popular, for large fields competed in most of the events. The Manukau Club had 48 riders racing, 30 seniors and 18 juniors. J. It. McKay showed much improvement when he outsprinted E. G. Mvnott to win the junior race. My not t rode a great raco considering it was his first attempt at road work. In addition to filling second place, he made fastest time in 13m 395, a time which is the best recorded on the Avondale South circuit for over four years. ETo has only another month before he joins the senior ranks. C. Cronk's win in the senior 15 miles off sin 15s, was popular. ITe had never had a win before, although ho had been consistently competing for the past three seasons. Besides speed he displayed fino determination, for on the first lap he fell and rode a cycle loaned by another competitor until his was Readjusted and ready for him the next J. Brown was the best of the scratch men, although L. H. I)wight was unable to give an account of himself as ne broke a pedal spindle just as he started. The Lynndale Club started its fourth season when 25 riders raced. Ihe club has a fairly hilly and strenuous course and S. Alderson, one of the bookmarkers off lm, took the opportunity ot testing out his three-speed chain gear with successful results. He finished third and made the fastest time in 41m J7s. C. ft. Gooder, scr, had very little pacing assistance from E. L. G. Hughes, scr. Hughes was unfortunate in haying a puncture early on the initial lap. Gooder rode out the distance but clocked 41m 51s. Alderson was a foremost figure in his club's events last year. The second biggest club in Auckland Papatoetoe, had 30 members competing in its opening races. As anticipated, the club's 1935 road champion, rane gained fastest time m the miles time trial in which each rider was despatched at a one minute interval and had to ride the distance alone Cochrane is a tall, liardv pedaller and during his first season last year quickly established himself as a rider of particular promise at distance work, Jle clocked 38m 51s, hut the surprise of the event was F. N. Wardell, who uns second in 39m 31s and beat such an experienced road riiler as S. K. J. infold hv six seconds. The three Mclnnarney brothers who performed so well on the track during tho past summer will not be participating during the winter as they intend to play football. Tho brothers, V. lvoy and E. Ivey, monopolised the Northern Club's events. The club commenced-its first season on the road over a now course near Mount ltoskill which promises to become very popular because of its ideal surface and varying grades. The club will have as its strongest representative in open events M. T. Gamble, who was ablo to pace out with thtPbest of tho local riders last year when he performed well in the 102 miles race from Palnierston North to Wellington. J. Marris, of the Beach Haven Club, is a ioad rider of rare ability and should be more prominent in open events this year. Last week ho was third and gained fastest time in his club's 12 miles race when ho returned 36m 51s over a hilly course. One of the club's older members, It. El.ia, had a runaway win from J. Day with whom he paced out well in the earlier stages.