TRACK CYCLING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26719, 13 March 1948, Page 9

TRACK CYCLING

KEEN COMPETITION NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS A cold breeze and several light showers were not favourable to fast times when the New Zealand cycling championships started at the "Caledonian Ground last night, but keen competition was seen in all events. Half of the 68 competitors who have entered for events are visitors to Dunedin from all over the North and South Islands. Excellent form was displayed by A. W. Stonex (Auckland) in winning the 1000 Metres Time Trial Handicap in lmin 21 l-ssec, being first equal with another member of the Auckland team, P. R. Coker. This time was 3-ssec faster than the track record, and 6 3-ssec slower than the New Zealand record for the distance held by Stonex. In the first heat of the 4000 Metres Teams’ Pursuit Championship, Wellington fought a losing battle against the Canterbury team, and when a Wellington man fell out. Canterbury went on to win by about 20 yards. Although K. McDonald (Otago) retired early in his heat when the Otago team was slightly behind its opponents, West Coast (North Island), Otago held grimly on. and won an exciting race by a very narrow margin. Today the Otago team will race Auckland, which won this event last year, and West Coast and Wellington will race for the last place.

Results:— 1000 Metres Time Trial Championship.— A W. Stonex and P. R. Coker (Auckland), equal, 1; L. P. Lock and N. Mills (Canterbury), equal, 3. Time, lmin 21 3-ssec. 4000 Metres Teams' Pursuit Champion-ship-First heat: Canterbury 1, Wellington 2; time, srnin 43sec. Second heat: Otago 1, West Coast (North Island) 2. Time, smin 49 3-ssec. Quarter-mile B Grade Handicap.—G. D. Jarvie (Otago), 30yds, 1; B. T. Raines (Otago). 20vds, 2; R N. Campbell (Otago), lOvds, 3. Time, 33 3-ssec. One and a-half Mfies Open Handicap.— C. J Schmelz (Otago), 210yds, 1; I.< E. Bills (Otago), 265yds, 2: J. R. Anderson (Otago), 330yds, 3. Time, 3min 19 4-ssec. Eight-lap Junior Points Race.—F. Bradshaw (Canterbury), 26 points, 1; W. Hoffman (Otago), 18 points, 2; G. Howes (Wellington), 10 points. 3.