SECOND EDITION. BIG ROAD RACES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17154, 2 October 1926, Page 6

SECOND EDITION. BIG ROAD RACES

TIMARU TO CHRISTCHURCH UNFAVORABLE CONDITIONS MUDGUARDS RESORTED TO (For Fi'oks Association*.) TIMAJiIi, tin's (Jav. Into'miitent ram timing tin- past 48 hours and furl ht-r heavy rain last- nigld, made I lie prospects for the Tiinarn--01 a istc-huicli road race anything but promising. The fall was general .throughout Cardeibury and South Canterbury. and it was expected that the roads, over the whole journey would bo in very had order. Two day’s race trathe. between Tiiuaru and Winchester neve expeel ral to make conditions worse than they would otherwise have been, but reports to lined this morning indicated that the going, while heavy in parts, would lie fair. .Many of 11n* riders did not relish the thought of a battle with mud, the distance of 112 miles being a severe enough test in itself, so they fortified themselves by using mudguards. Jn past, years mudguards have been resorted to, but their presence is.usually looked upon, more as a hindrance than a help. The weal her early this morning gave no .sign of dealing. and right up 1o the time of starting light rain .fell, There was a brief respite, however, and the first few batches of riders got away from Tiniaru under fine conditions, but they ran into a slight drizzle a few miles out. Light rain again commenced to fall in town about 0.110 arm., and was still in evidence when the scratch men were sent off. SE VERA!, SC 11ATOHINGS. interest in the race this year, as far as competitors are concerned, was not so pronounced as last year, when some 171 riders look part. The entries for to-day's race totalled 130, but of this number twelve failed to go (o the mark, making- the number sent away 127. The conditions prevailing for the past day or so accounted for some seratchings, and one or two entrants failed to arrive in Thnaru. Those who scratched were: J. Jackson, Ricenrton; N. McClintoek, Christchurch: AY. H. Bock, Kapnngn; C. Austin, H. A. Hogwood, E. J. Kershaw, and G. G. Chapman, Christchurch; F. (4. Sparkes. Eiecnrton; C. Groves, Ornri; F. G. McGowan, Rapanui, ami W. A. Wills, Palm in. BTC SEND-OFF. I The limit men, of whom -there were nine, including F. S. Clark, Invercargill, who previously was handicapped on the 22} minutes' mark, were sent away at 11.10 a.m, sharp, several hundred people giving the riders a hearty send-off. The three scratch men, ,T. Ellis, Brookside; 0. Bell, Christchurch, and H. G. Watson, Marshlands, left at 10 o’clock. 50 minutes behind the limit men. A. C. Walker, Christchurch, who dead-heated, for first in last year’s race, was also a competitor this year, being- on Die 22 minute mark. 11. G. Wood, llalswell, who was previously handicapped on the 32} minutes mark, was sent away with the 31-mimitc men. Arrangements from the Timnru end wore perfectly carried out, all the men being sent away up to time. E. C. Clark, Christchurch, met with trouble a mile or so out. having (lie spokes of his rear wheel stripped through coming in contact with another rider. ASHBURTON REACHED McCLINTOCK IN THE LEAD (Per Press Association.) ASHBURTON, this day. Competitors in the road! race experienced heavy going, a light drizzle prevailing to within two or three miles of Ashburton. Mifi linlot k. Christ church, -41 min., was Hist, tn arrive at 12.25 , 200yds. ahead of eight, including Blackwell, Wilton, E. V. Watson, Christiansen, R. G. Watson, and Williams. 100 MILES RACE HAMILTON TO AUCKLAND (For Press Association,) AUCKLAND, this daq. In Die ICO miles cycle road race, Hamilton to Auckland, at 11.47 a.in. ’Lawler, SOmiu. arrived at Mercer, 2} hours after the scratch man started from Hamilton; JVlcEwan, 60min.. being second; Gunman, 45min., third: and Lynch, 50min. fourth. The scratch men, Hill and Hayes, at that stage were riding strongly about ten miles fmther back.