SPORT OF CYCLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22900, 1 December 1937, Page 23

SPORT OF CYCLING

PROVINCIAL TRIALS R. T. TAYLOR IMPRESSIVE EMPIRE GAMES PROSPECTS The prospects of the Auckland riders at the New Zealand Empire Games trials next Saturday should be bright after last Saturday's provincial trials meeting, held under a cloudless sky and in warm conditions. R. T. Taylor, of the Papatoetoe Club, the present New Zealand sprint champion, was invinciblo in the sprint event decided over 1000 metres, approximately 1092 yds. In each of his five heats his victories were too decisive to leave any doubt as to his sprinting ability. While the other heats were won in many cases in side-by-side finishes Taylor won his by two to four lengths. In the quarter-final he mot J. H. Gillbanks and in the semi-final M. P. Byrnes, and defeated both by two clear lengths. In the final match races Taylor secured two convincing wins over C. R. Gooder. In both he let Gooder lead out over the last fuxlcffltg, and on the home banking demonsttated his powerful acceleration on his 95in. gear by passing Gooder on the banking, in spite of the fact that he had to take the outside and longer course. Taylor rode the fastest 220 yds of the day when he beat Byrnes in the semi-final, the time being 12 3-ss. The fastest furlong ridden at the New Zealand track championship meeting last March was done by J. H. W r ade, 12 4-os. Taylor's prospects are better than those of any other Auckland rider, andhis meeting next Saturday with G. R. Giles, who represented the Dominion at the last Olympic Games, may prove the central attraction at the trials. Last March Taylor met Giles in the quarter-finals of the sprint event and defeated him in a 13 3-5s sprint over the last furlonc. However, on that occasion there was less tlihn a length difference at the line, while to many it appeared as if Giles had underrated Taylor's capabilities. TEN MILES EVENT UNFORTUNATE FINISH Both J. H. Gillbanks and C. R. Gooder have been outstanding over the unpaced kilometre this season. They tied in the time of 1.17 2-5, which compares most favourably with that produced by R. Ulmer, who won the Wellington trial in 1.24 2-5. The 10-miles paced event became exciting when, with 10 laps to go, the order was A. G. Patrick, M. P. Byrnes and E. L. G. Hughes, with the other survivors of the fast pace almost 100 yds behind. When the pacers retired with two laps to go the three riders slowed down appreciably. At the bell Hughes led, with Byrnes and Patrick following. Down the back straight Hughes livened up the jiace, but Byrnes moved out to accelerate past him, just as Patrick made an effort to move up. Pat-, rick's front wheel appeared to foul the rear wheel of Byrnes' machine, and this caused Patrick to fall heavily and elide on lii 3 right leg and hip for fully 20ft. The fall naturally robbed the finish of the anticipated excitement. Byrnes outsprinted Hughes to win in 21m 535, after a fine exhibition of pace following and good: .judgment. A very sporting gesture on the part of A. G: Patrick in his quarter-final heat of the sprint event won the approval of the gathering. Gooder was leading the sprint on the home banking when his rear tyre burst and Patrick pulled up simultaneously with Gooder. According to the rulings Patrick could have finished and claimed the placing. The rule states that a rerun may bo made should a. puncture or mechanical trouble occur before the last furlong.