Better Conditions For Cyclists

Southland Times, Issue 23948, 14 October 1939, Page 16

Better Conditions For Cyclists

By

TYRE

Hie second 66 mile race through Hedgehope to Mataura and return via the main road, run by the Invercargill Cycle Club was held under much better conditions than on the previous Saturday. A light northerly wind did not hamper the riders very much. Hie race was a trial for riders competing in the 100 mile Round the Gorges race, and also to give the selectors an idea as to who was sufficiently capable of representing Southland at the New Zealand centennial championships.

The improved conditions were shown by the much faster time put up by A. Drury. His time was more than 12 minutes faster than the time put up by T. Waddick the previous week. The scratch team consisted of A. Drury, T. Waddick. K. Jones, P. Meehan and H. Hubber.

Drury gave a vastly improved display and looks to be coming back to his best form. He has been putting in some solid training, and is likely to ride a good race in the Round the Gorges at Christchurch. T. Waddick

and Drury left by cycle on Monday riding through to Christchurch in easy stages.

K. Jones, although well beaten by Drury in the sprint, finished with plenty of dash. He appears to have been training hard. P. Meehan, the only other scratch man to finish, was also in good condition at the finish These three men teamed well throughout the race and were only two minutes behind the winner at the finish. T. Waddick and H. Hubber had had enough long before the race was finished.

R. Duncan, the winner of the race, and a proved distance rider, had an easy win. He had the measure of his team mates, H. Patton, J. McKenzie, H. Mitchell and M. Toole, at all times. He was forcing the pace throughout and several times opened up a gap between himself and the other, riders. He finally left McKenzie and Mitchell who had been hanging on well, at Dacre, and kept increasing the gap all the way.

McKenzie and Mitchell were caught by the scratch men before they reached home, but both did very well to finish in a race of such length. Today’s race to Drummond is for the Rookes Cup given by Mr Rookes, of Drummond. The race will start on Elies road at 2.30 p.m.

The local road season is very near its end, the race to Bluff next Saturday being the last. The track season will start on Labour Day at the Otautau sports. One and two mile races have been put on for amateurs. R. Duncan and H. Hubber will be competing in the “Round the Gorges” race today.