SPORT OF CYCLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22405, 29 April 1936, Page 21

SPORT OF CYCLING

ROAD RACING COMMENCED SEVERAL COURSES IMPROVED The form shown by many of the leading riders in the opening road races of tlie season indicates that times generally will be better this year. Many of the longdistance courses have been considerably improved, especially the round-the-bar-bour and sections on the 100 miles course. Several- back markers will also be using three-speed gears after the pronounced success enjoyed by those r ders who had them last season. The Manukaii Club has many worthy representatives. J. Brown retains his form each year remarkably well, and L. H. Duight is also very T. Riddcll created a record last September when he covered the strenuous round-the-harbour 44 miles course in 2h 3 m 10s to win his club's championship title, and L. M. Nicholson secured the double honour last October when lie was fastest rider in the 100 miles, which carried the North Island and Auckland provincial titles. The Papatoetce CI lb is fortunate in having such an enthusiastic rider as C. Cochrane, who rides in from Runciman, 10 miles away, each week to compete. Last year, his first in open competition, he won his club's road championship title. At unpaced work he is outstanding. Another promising rider is F. N. Wardell, who ran Cochrane very close in the Papatoetoe Club's opening race a fortnight ago, while S. E. Pinfold also maintains his form well. An injury affected O. W. White's chances last season, but he means to concentrate on road racing this season. In 1934 he astonished many when lie won an open race from 96 starters, and also marie the fastest time from the 2m 30s mark. The recently-formed Northern Club will rely mostly upon M. T. Gamble in tho open events. Last season, when ruling for the Auckland Club, Gamble secured fastest time on many occasions and in the open races acquitted himself well frrtm the scratch mark. The Lynndalo Club has a strong trio in C. R. Gooder, S. Alderson and E. L. G. Hughes and, as a pacing combination, a faster team would be difficult to select. Alderson has not so many fastest times to his credit an either Gooder or Hughes, but in the opening race a fortnight ago was the best of the three. The Takapuna and Beaefehaven Clubs have good riders in E. G. Williams, T. Bassett. J. A. Marris, the three Elia brothers and J. Day. •• i