SPORT OF CYCLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23302, 22 March 1939, Page 23

SPORT OF CYCLING

ROAD SEASON OPENED MANUKAU CLUB'S EVENTS APPEARANCE OF A. G. PATRICK With the national, provincial and many club track championships already decided, several cycling clubs are now arranging their road programmes for the 1939 season. First to commence actual racing was the Mannkau Amateur Cycling Club, which held two events on its completely tar-sealed circuit at Avondalo South last Saturday, Almost summer-like weather prevailed for the opening races, but the warmth of the atmosphere was tempered with a southerly breeze, which was against the riders on the half-mile long hill at the back of the triangular course. Thirty-seven riders participated in the events. Interest was given to the senior 20-milcs race by the presence of A. G; Patrick, ]9.*38 Empire Games representative, who made his first appearance in competition last week at the Otahuhu sports. He rode from scratch with V. D. Thomas, J, H. Gillbanks and R. S. Triner. The last-named has done little racing during tho track season and fell back shortly before the half-distance, and over tiie last two laps accompanied tho winner, W. O'Shaughnessy.

Gillbanks usually rides off a handicap in road events, but on this occasion he stood the pace of tlic scratch group for three laps before he eased up slightly, later to be delayed with an unshipping chain on his three-speed gear system. Thomas and Patrick maintained a steady pace throughout, but failed to make any impression on M. C. Johnson, who started olf lm with F. Tredrea and N. F. Harvey. Johnson worked his way steadily through the field, eventually to finish second to o'Shaughne.ssy, who won easily by lm 255. The opening 15 miles race of the 1937 season was also won by O'Shaughnessy, off 6m. In addition to gaining second place, Johnson was the fastest rider, taking 51 in 5s for the course, the record for which is held by E. A. Langridge, at 52m 50s. Johnson recently transferred from the Pnpatoetoe Club, for he now jives at Avondalo South. He rode from scratch in his former club's races last year. B. Christopher, who was third, was one of the three new riders who started, and he impressed favourably, for in tho final dash with Johnson ho was beaten only by a length- W. Aldred, one of the limit riders, off 7m 30s, displayed improved form by finishing fourth and just ahead of It. G. Whitley, who was experimenting with a four-speed gear. Patrick was fastest of tho scratch group, but took 65m 10s against Johnson's 54m ss. Thomas was beaten by Patrick in their final sprint and rode convincingly enough to indicate that he will bo one of the foremost riders agait\ this season. In spite of his delays Gillbanks was only IGO yard? behind Patrick at the end of the 20 miles, while F. Tredrea appeared to tiro only over tho concluding stages. Last year ho rode prominently in junior events.

SANDERS WINS JUNIOR RACE CIUTCHLEY'S FINE PERFORMANCE In the junior race of five miles R. K. Sanders proved his ability by being fastest in 14m 18s, which was i\ fine effort for the fairly severe course. With a full season as a junior he will have ample opportunity to improve with more racing. There was little separating S. 11. Bishop. W. P. Burton, E. Crawford and R. F. Flinkenberg on the day, and a season of close competition is anticipated. Evidently J- W. Critchley has become accustomed to the Sturges Park track, for at the Otahuhu Club's evening meeting last week he won the mile handicap in 2m 18s and the jniss-and-out scratch race, in which A, G. Patrick made his initial appearance this seasonR. Tanfield was placed in all three races and displayed remarkable ability for a junior in liis first year of competition. Very poor support was given the Bombay Club's cycle events last Saturday and from small fields J. E. Ludlam, of'the Papatoetoe Club, appeared to win all three events with ease. It is in the interests of the sport in general for riders to make an effort to appear at the annual meetings of the country clubs.