CYCLING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21542, 14 January 1932, Page 4

CYCLING

Members of the Otago Athletic and Cycling Club had a very successful tour at Christmas through Southland and Central Otago. A. Ralston, the club’s scratch man, was the most successful performer, and in competing at six meetings he obtained six firsts, three seconds and two thirds. In the Gore-Mataura Road Race he obtained second place and fastest time. These performances netted for him about £2B, and as he rofle from the scratch mark in every race it was certainly a fine performance, His time of 2min 30 l-ssec for the mile at Tuatapere is only a few seconds outside the New Zealand grass track record, and considering the greasy state of the track this stamps Ralston as one of the best riders in New Zealand to-day. T. Brosnan was the next most successful performer, and in competing at five meetings he obtained five firsts and three seconds, which brought him the sum of £27. Brosnan was the most improved rider on the circuit, and in a short time —if he retains his present form—he will be on the scratch mark with Ralston. It is by the dint of hard training that Brosnan earned his success, and it would do well for some of the club’s younger riders to copy him. Cyril Preen was the next highest winner, and in competing at six meetings he obtained two firsts, three seconds and one third, which netted him £l2. Preen was not riding as well as usual at the opening meeting or two, but towards the end of the circuit showed all his old dash, and put up some good performances. A. Brown was the club s most versatile performer, and in competing at five meetings he gained one first, three seconds and two thirds in cycle races, while he won a hop, step and jump, was third in a high jump, and third in a hurdle race. These performances brought him £ls. Brown was the exact contrary to Preen and started the circuit riding brilliantly, but appeared to go stale towards the end. However, he had a bad spill at Roxburgh and another at Wyndham, and perhaps this took the sting, out of his riding. G. 0. Johnstone competed onlv at Roxburgh, where he won the One Mile and a-half Cycle Race, and Cyril Wills was second in this event. These two riders went to Oamaru on Saturday last, but as they were the only competitors without sprint wheels they were not successful. Basil Thomas also did the circuit, but met with no success, and appears to have gone stale. A spell would do him no harm, and if he leaves his machine alone for two or three months lie should again show the form he exhibited prior to Christmas. All these riders will be competing on Saturday next at the Speedway Royle, and after their Christmas experience should certainly show good form.