Cyclists Open Season Well With Big Field

Southland Times, Issue 23852, 24 June 1939, Page 15

Cyclists Open Season Well With Big Field

By

TYRE

A good beginning to the season was made with a field of 19 riders, compared with nine for the opening race last season. If a proportionate increase can ‘ be maintained big fields will be the rule this season, a cheering prospect to those who have the interests of the chib at’heart. An unusual and pleasmg feature was that seven new riders took part m the ' race and two of them succeeded m getting into the placings. The club can do with plenty of new blood, and it is to' be hoped that these first-year riders preserve their keeness. M. Toole, a first-year rider showed good judgement during and at the finish of the race to score a well-deserved win. He realized that teaming was a very important feature of road racing arid made use of this knowledge keeping his co-markers bunched and taking turns at lapping. One of the unwritten rules of the club is that every rider in a bunch shall take his share of laps. . K. Baxter rode last year but without much success. A second placing should be an encouragement for him to gain a major placing. A country rider and another firstyear man, J. Black has musclar development capable of carrying him into the top flight of local cyclists. Although his judging and teamwork were riot too good he has plenty of time to learn, and more should be heard of O. Drury looks as though he is making a bid to outdo his brother this year. At the track championships last season A. Drury was too good for O. Drury, so perhaps he will try and get revenge during the coming road season. Fastest time in the first race is a good' A. Drury had a hard row to hoe, riding from scratch on his own. However, it seems likely there will be four or five scratch riders later in the season so he will not have to worry about riding all by himself. . \ . K. Jones was unfortunate in having trouble with his machine, otherwise he would have made it interesting at the finish for O. Drury. A list of fixtures up to the Gore race is as follows: — June 24.—17 mile Roslyn Bush return. July 1.—27 mile Woodlands, Rakahouka. . , July 8.-25 mile Grove Bush, Makarewa. ■ July 15.—32 mile Dacre, Rakahauka (Massed start). July 22.-25 mile Time Trial. July 29.—Free date'. August 5.—32 mile Lochiel return. August 12. —40 mile Thornbury return.

Aug 19.—44 mile Edendale return. August 26.—40 mile Gore, Invercargill.