CYCLING NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21578, 25 February 1932, Page 4

CYCLING NOTES

C. Hansen rode exceptionally well last Thursday evening and showed out with strong finishes to win the Half-mile event and finish second in the One Mile and a-half. He has a liking for the rough tracks, and is keeping well in the limelight. G. Milligan registered a good win in the One Mile and a-half" Handicap by clearing out from the field at two laps to go. He went welj in both heat and final and had his jCO-markers guessing all the way.

J. C. Fogarty sprinted well to finish second in the Half-mile Handicap,; but he and . Smith found the gap too hard v to bridge in the longer event, and" could not get within striking distance. E. Wilson Pyne rode two good races to collect two thirds and has been a" very performer this season. He is developing a good finish and has proved a hard man to defeat oVer the last 100 yards. Owing to the heavy rain in town most of the riders who had entered for the Milton sports did not make the trip and as a result missed a good day’s sport. The weather was surprisingly fine, and although the wind was a bit troublesome at times some good races were witnessed. & K. Wright, the local back-marker, was in good trim and rode well to win both the.-Two Mile and Three Mile events. He took the corners with more confidence than the rest and\produced a fine dash over the last TSO yards. He is a keen type of rider and would do well with a season in good company. J. Brown; another Milton product, also pedalled well and collected the Halfmile and’ One Mile and a-half in good style. The times were, good in both races and he promises well for the remainder; of the season. He took things steadily over the early stages, of each race and i when near the tape simply shot ahead to vym easily. He' is, however; a young rider, and should not try to do too much 1 at first. Many young athletes have laid the foundations of an early collapse from form by attempting too much before their frames' are properly set. Brown is a rider who should be heard of "in'good company later.

J. Parsons, who made the journey down, collected two seconds and a third, and undoubtedly would have improved on these placings had he beep more at home on - the bends. He was moving well in the straights, and showed considerable improvement on his form of recent races. ' D./O’Brien-made a reappearance after a lopg absence from the, track, and," although far from fit, he pedalled well and will prove a dangerous man when he strikes form. He intends competing in the championships on Saturday, and , should go well on the grass. " . I All cyclists, will regret to hear that Harold Emmersoh, the popular sports secretary of the Otlgo Centre, has decided to resign from his office at the ! end of this season. 1 ; For the past four or five years he has been a well-known and wellliked official amongst the riders and has earned the respect of all by the manner / in which he has always carried out his various duties. It is safe to say -that his successor will have no small task-to , fill the gap which Mr Emmerson’s retirement will cause. Saturday will see the culmination of the efforts of Otago and Southland’s best riders, and; with a larger representative gathering . than is . usual the sporting public should see some thrilling battles for the three provincial titles. ■ This is the .first time since the war , that* the cycling events-have been held on ithe grass, and to the riders who have been used to banked tracks it may prove‘difficult to corner at the speed at which the Cansbrook Ground is said to possess.' J; C. Fogarty, the present half-mile, one mile, and three-mile title bolder, will be hard put to it to defend all his titles, and will need to be 'aware of all‘the surprises which are always liable to happen pn a'flat grass'track. However. he ; wiil prove a tough proposition to dispose of, ■ and should give .some , good displays. G. Smith is> perhaps, his most dangerous opponent, and at present is at the top of his form. He is always ready with a fine finishing burst, and can be depended on to give a good account of himself. At the present time these two riders have outstanding 'from the .backmarkers and should be well placed in the finals. However, they will meet with strong opposition from Parsons, Fletcher, Hay, Hanson, and many others'who are .quite capable of, springing a surprise. It is not quite certain yet as to what visiting riders will compete, although A. Forrest will probably. come down from Palmerston. He professes no liking for jthe flat corners, but if, he becomes accustomed to the grass he should make his presence felt. If any of the Southland riders should make the journey, it is safe to say that they will. give a good account of themselves, as they are used to grass, track racing. i PROFESSIONAL NOTES Final arrangements have been made for the sports meeting on March 5 for the use of the Speedway Royle. and ’ brpadsiding events will now be on the programme, as well as a half-mile running race for boys under 16 years and a one mile cycle race for boys under 16 years. s ■ i A. Ralston will miss his co-marker, C. Preen, who is< spelling. These two riders teamed very well during the season with such success that Ralston has been placed in all but one race in local club events. No doubt he will find T. Brosnan,_ who will be getting a few yards from him/, a j good man to team with, )as the latter '■ showed flue form over the, Christmas holiday meetings, and is a very fit, welltfained rider. , ‘ The limit riders and those near the front ,mark should win races during the, -, coming meetings, but they should try .to cultivate a sprint. If they did plenty of 100 to 200 yards sprints during their training'they would benefit far more than by going' for long rides. These riders should take this hint. When it comes theit turn to take a lap they should be ready to go through. If they hesitate, the scratch men, who are only too willing to take a fast lap; will catch them quickly. A. C. E. Wills showed a return to form at Roxburgh by securing second place to Gordon Johnston in the Mile and a-half, and as he is training hard he should bo hard to head off during the coming meetings. Johnston, who' had a , very nastyspill during the road racing season, has taken a long time to get back to _ form, but now that he has secured a winning • bracket it is hoped that he will soon win another. ' , W. Wilson, who shqwed promise of making a very fine rider earlier in the season, has not been' a starter for some time, but it is hoped that he will he competing at the coming meeting, and should be a winner off the front ffiark. ' .