Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 20, 14 April 1927, Page 11

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

(BY

“CHAINWHEEL.”)

FIXTURES April 16. —Auckland Championships, Hamilton. April 18. —Track races, Ngahinepouri. April 23.—Teams’ race, Mangere. April 30. —Twenty-three miles’ unpaced road race, Mangere.

Last Saturday must be considered a most satisfactory day as far as the Manukau Cycle Club is concerned. The experiment of conducting three road races in one afternoon proved more successful than anticipated. Not only was the innovation popular with the riders themselves, but the unusually large crowd of onlookers was kept well entertained by the many spectacular sprints at the conclusion of each event. As is generally known, this progressive cycle club usually stages a junior race each week in conjunction with a senior event, but last week saw the appearance of 24 “greenhorns” in the novice race. This contest, which was proposed by Mr. P. Faithfull at the last meeting of the Manukau Club, was open to riders who had been unplaced for the last five years in track or road races. The novice race drew 24 entrants and the handicapper found it no easy matter to assess the starts. However, the difficulty was overcome by dividing the competitors into three groups scratch, 20sec and 40sec. Tomlinson, the winner, rode off the limit mark, and was in a prominent position throughout. Punctually at 2 p.m. the starters, Messrs. Tolley and Clarkson, despatched the limit riders. The short limit made it possible for some of the scratch men to catch the frontmarkers before Robertson Road, where they collided with some riders, who, having ridden past the corner, were returning to continue the race. Half a dozen fell, but none was injured. Among the more fortunate riders there was some close racing, and an interesting sprint culminated in a victory for Tomlinson by five yards from F. Bowman (20s). Davies (20s) made the latter go in the last few yards and was defeated by a wheel. Time, 15min 51 l-ssec. The first scratch man to cross the line was R. Wright, who, although failing to ride into a place, gained the fastest time of 16min. 9sec. Grogan’s time was a few' seconds slower. JUNIOR RACE As soon as the results of the novice race were announced, the junior contest was set in motion. E. Tolley, the son of the starter, and one of the club's youngest enthusiasts, being the first to start. Ten participated in this race, a number having competed in the previous event. Three men rode from scratch —A. Sercombe, R. Foubister and A. C. Steen, the latter being the only scratch man to fill a place. G. Rose, who had an easy victory in the last junior race, was back on 30sec, but he failed to show to advantage, because he had a lone ride for a considerable part of the journey. The finish was again close, the placed men being D. Ching (60sec), C. Maxwell (lmin losec) and A. C. Steen (scr). Maxwell and Steen engaged in a ding-dong struggle for second place. Steen also secured the fastest time (16min Issec). THE SENIOR RACE A number of the limit riders did not start owing to their ride in the novice race. Despite this, 21 riders faced the starters at 3 p.m., making a total of 55 competitors for the day. Casey, starting off alone on the virtual scratch mark. caught Wilson when three miles had been traversed. The pair then overtook C. Gainsborough (lmin), who had been ! dropped by his co-marker Galbraith. ; The latter was pedalling in a remarkable manner, and at no stage in the race did he adversely affect his chances for time honours by riding leisurely with an inferior rider. .

The finish between C. Faithfull J. C. Stewart, Baird and Brewin was good, but would have been closer had not the riders started to sprint when half a mile from home. Baird, at this point, “jumped” out, Stewart, Faithfull and Brewin following. After a furlong Baird was overtaken, and then Brewin rushed to the front, with the result that he established a lead till the finish. Stewart chased him determinedly, but could not quite catch him. Baird was third, with Faithfull only a few feet further away. C. G. Galbraith and E. I. Grant afforded some excitement in the sprint home out of the second group. They both rounded the corner together, but the fastest time man had plenty in reserve, and came away well in the closing stages of the sprint. A few seconds later F. J. Casey and C. I. Gainsborough put in an appearance, Casey proving superior in the sprint despite the fact that he had given Gainsborough 30sec start. In fairness to the latter, it must be stated that he was riding a strange machine, which must have affected his riding. NOTES AND COMMENTS About a dozen Aucklanders intend racing at Hamilton and Ngahinepouri on Saturday and Monday next. A few who are riding down will leave town at 7 a.m. to-morrow morning. Two of the championship distances have not been raced for many years, namely, the quartre-mile and five miles. The present title-holder of the half-mile is M. P. Byrnes. H. G. Brewin will take a lot of beating in the half-mile championship. Twice this season he has won a similar event in very fast time. His win in the road race last week also stamps him as a rider who is possessed of stamina. E. J. Blakewav, late of Auckland, is journeying from Ohakune to contest the championships. His best display should be in the five miles. Others who should ride well in this race are F. J. Casey and Les. Wilson. Additional interest is lent to this championship through a trophy of one guinea being offered to the rider who takes the most laps. This is a more effective method of speeding up championships than time limits. The membership of the Manukau Cycle Club lias increased in a week from 77 to 92. This shows that the sport is on the up-grade in Auckland, thanks largely to this club. Public interest in the weekly road contests is also on the increase, as evidenced by the almost uncontrollable crowd which assembled last Saturday at the finish, which is outside the Mangere Post Office. Mr. E. B. Tolley, who officiates as starter, timekeeper and assistant handicapper to the club, has promised a cup for a “Northern Fifty” to be decided preferably on an out-and-home course. The race is to he decided on the timetrial system and over a course which is to be rough and hilly in places. When the competitors both start and finish at the same point, they are assured of dry clothing when they finish. At presetn the club members make use of the Mangere Hall as a dress-ing-room, and the club is indebted to Mr. Cummings, Mangere storekeeper, for the use of same. A race starting here and continuing through Otahuhu, Howic-k, Papakura, Papatoetoe and, finishing again at Mangere, might be a suitable course. Clothes and any other gear could then be left in the Mangere Hall, where they would be in I safe keeping. Messrs. Ernest Craig and E. H. Cueksey have also signified their intention of donating trophies to the club. The club’s funds will benefit to the extent of £2 8s as a result of the novice race, as the trophies for this , event were given by Mr. P. Faithfull. ; Mr. Tolley is also providing the medals j for the four-lap race on the 30th. Such | enthusiasts as these greatly assist j amateur sport. _