CYCLING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16500, 18 November 1927, Page 9

CYCLING

AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX. {Elco. Tel. Copyright—Urited Press AKsn.l MELBOURNE, Nov. 17. In the cycling Grand Prix, in tho third stage, from Bendigo to Warrnambool, 192 miles, the New Zealand team retains its lead.fl Forty-three riders continue. Opperman was defeated to-day for the sprint prizes from Ballarat to Castle'mahio by Jehir of Gcelong, who led at Castlemaine. Watson punctured his tyro at 50 miles, but Ronnie was well up in the early stages. At Ballarat, 78 miles, Bainbridge (Victoria) was first and Watson eighth, aud 21 miles farther Watson had reached third place. At 129 miles the order was Opperman, Watson, Bainbridge, and Osb'orn. close together. An exciting finish resulted as follows: Opperman, lohrs. 32miu. 15sec. 1; Watson (Now, Zealand) lShrs. 32ttun. ; 15 l-sscc. 2; Osborne, lobrs. 32min. 15 l-sscc. 3; Bainbridge. 13 hrs. 32min. 15 2-sscc. 4; Eiusidel, 13hrs. 53min. 47secs. 5. They were followed by Anderson, Stamford. Boyd and Williamson, with Ronnie (New Zealand), 13hrs. "53miu. 47 3-5-sec, tenth'. A marvellous sprint took place over the last lOC yards. Opperman wen by half a Ui-gth from Watson, who .beat Osborne by half-a-whcel. The race took 142 minutes behind schedule. The New- Zcalanders arc certain winners of the team's race. It-is anticipated some riders will not arrive till midnight.'