AUSTRALIAN CYCLING

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 15, 7 October 1929, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN CYCLING

WARRNABOOL TO MELBOURNE RACE FULL OF INCIDENT MELBOURNE, Oct. 5. The Warrnabool to Melbourne 165mile handicap cycling race, organised by the Duulop 'Rubber Company and the Pcrdreau Rubber Company, resulted as follows: —■

H. Oppcrman (scr.), Victoria .... 1 0. Nicholson (fimin.), Victoria .. - G. MacLeod (scr.), Victoria .... 3 H. Marshall (Gmin.),- Western Australia, finished lirst but was disqualified for alleged outside assistance. The winner's time was 8 hours 7 minutes - seconds. The Iruish of the race was sensational, Marshall getting in first by half a length from Oppcrman, with 6. Nicholson a length away, followed by MacLeod and after him J. Jewell, of Warrnabool (SOmin.) fourth. The referee, immediately announced that Marshall had accepted food along the route from unauthorised persons, a breach of the regulations, and he was consequently disqualiiied, the race being awarded to Oppcrman and Nicholson was placed second. Further excitement occurred when Nicholson protested against Opperman for alleged interference over the last quarter of a mile. The officials will meet to-morrow at 10 o'clock to investigate the charge. The first five riders will be witnesses. Oppcrman also secured fastest time. There was considerable interest along the route; Crowds 'assembled in each town and there were 25,000 spectators at the finish. A strong wind made conditions hard. The scratch men made the pace a cracker from the start. The veteran, W. 'King 50 years old. off the 65 seconds mark, led the field. Crossing the stony ridges there were several nasty falls. At Colae, Oppcrman and the back group were 32 minutes behind the leaders, at Winchelsea 20 minutes and at Geelong seven minutes. Passing through Werribee King still led but shortly afterwards was overhauled by backmarkers Oppcrman, McLcod, Oram, Marshall, Jewell. Foster and Johnson. Four hundred yards from home Oppcrman drew out'for a long sprint but Marshall hung on and 100 yards from the line drew level amidst intense excitement and forged ahead to cross with half a length to spare from the Tour de France rider. It was a magnificent effort on Opperman's part to .gain fastest time and veritably win the event. Total prizes were £SOO.