CYCLE RACING.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4606, 10 March 1902, Page 2

CYCLE RACING.

CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING IN OTAGO. PRESS ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, March B.‘ The tenth annual sports meeting of the Otago Cycling Club was held on the Caledonian Ground on Saturday. A drizzling rain which had set in the night before continued throughout tho morning, blit cleared up in tho afternoon. There was a great attendance of the public, fully 5000 persons being present, including Lord Jtanfurly and Mr Seddon. The track was a triflo heavy. Although there were several exciting finishes there wore no records broken. Tho principal attraction was the appearance of W. Marttn, champion cyclist of Australia; of G. Sutherland, a New Zealander who has been racing with success on the other side; and of W. Palmer, a speedy Victorian. Tho performances of these three cracks were of a high order, and were watched with tho greatest interest. Tho following are tho results Half-mile Dash—A. Ralston, 20yds, 1; Sangster, 70yds, 2; N. Ralston, COyds, 3. A groat race; won by a rim. Time, Imin 3-ssco.

One-milo Amateur Handicap—Pearso, 40yds, 1; Churchill, 90yds, 2; Brown, 90yds, 3. Won by half a wheel. A length separated second and third. Time, 2min 27 2-sscc. Two-mile Wheel Race.—First heat— R. Connell, 70yds, 1; Martin, scratch, 2; Murie, 100yds, 3; Holland, 120yds, 4. A good race; won by two lengths. Time, 4min 44scc. Second heat—Palmer, 95yds, 1; Bain, 120yds, 2; Hueston, 160yds, 3; Sangster, 220yds, 4. Won by two lengths. Time, 4min 37 l-sseo. Final heat—All the qualified men started except Martin, who saved himself for tho championship. The back markers were early up on the field. Bain led for several laps, with Palmer and Hueston handy. The competitors were then all bunched till the bell rang for tho last lap, when tho field opened out. Bain, who had been doing a lot of pacing, dropped out at tho hack stretch, where Connell came away with a magnificent spurt. A ding-dong race up the straight ensued between Palmer and Connell, the former whining by half a wheel. Time, 4min 52 2-ssec. 220yds Amateur Handicap (flat). — Stalker, scratch, 1; Mooney, 10yds, 2; Price, Byds, 3. Won by two yards. Time, 24 l-ssec. . Two-mile Amateur Handicap—Pearse, 70yds, 1; Churchill, 160yds, 2; Anderson, 40yds, 3. Won by a length, three lengths separating second and third. Time, smiu lOscc. Championship of Otago.—First distance, one mile. —Martin, 1; Sutherland, 2; A. Ralston, 3 ; Holland, 4. Also started—Palmer, Roxburgh and R-. Connell. Lord Ranfurly fired the pistol and got the competitors away to a good start. At the second lap Palmer, Martin and Sutherland were leading in that order. The third time round tho, competitors were bundled. When the bell rang for, the last lap Martin and Sutherland dashed away, closely followed by Holland, Ralston and Palmer. Entering the straight a groat raco ensued between Sutherland and Martin, the latter gaining the verdict by eight inches. Martin received a great ovation, and was congratulated by his Excellency and tho Premier. Time, "mux 17sec. Second distance; throe juii?«— Sutherland, 1; Martin, 2; R. Connell, 3; A. Ralston, 4. Also started—Palmer, Roxburgh, Holland and Bain. Martin occupied the inside berth, with Sutherland on the outside. Both the cracks shot clear of tho others, but after ?oiug a lap, allowed tho others to got up. For several laps Palmer, Martin, Sutherland and Ralston lay back, allowing the other men to win the 5s lap prizes. The field remained in that order until the last' lap, when Martin, Sutherland and Palmer came on at a, great pace, closely followed by R. Connell, who showed great spurting powers, passing Palmer and A. Ralston. At the turn into the straight Sutherland and Martin raced Tor home and came along in grand style, Sutherland beating Martin by half a wheel. , Connell just beat Ral- / ston for fourth place. The race looked a good thing for Martin, who dropped back' three yards from tho post, allowing Sutherland to win. Time, :7min 22 2-ssec. ’ • The championship events (one-mile ana three-mile) were decided by most points in each event. Sutherland and Martin, with seven points each, dead-heated, and should have raced off, hut decided to divide the stake. Ralston third. One-mile Second-class Handicap.— N. Ralston. 25yds, 1 Jnifcaig, 70yds, 2; Anderson, 35yds, 3. - Time, 2min 18 l-ssee. ' Multicycle Handicap Race —Connell and Hueston, scr, 1: O’Connor and Pearse, 120yds, 2. P. Ralston and Higgins, 200yds, retired.