CYCLING AT MANGERE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 336, 23 April 1928, Page 12

CYCLING AT MANGERE

RIDERS FACE HARD GALE WADE WINS BIG EVENT Facing rain squalls and a hard gale, 35 amateur cyclists faced Saturday’s elements and competed in the Manukau Amateur Cycle Club’s 22-mile open road race. A more unpleasant day for racing has only on rare occasions been seen at Mangere, and riders felt tho cold very much. The racing, however, was of a very high order, reflecting great credit on the handicapper, Mr. G. Cleaver. J. H. Wade’s riding was undoubtedly the feature of the afternoon, as he won the event from scratch and incidentally, the fastest time prize. The following is the result:—Twenty-two-mile Open Handicap Event: J. 11. Wade, scr, 1; J. Whitten, scr, 2; J. C. Stewart, 4m, 3; F. Taylor, 6*m, 4. First and fastest time, J. H. Wade, scr, 59.9. THE RACE A bleak cold shower came on just as the riders got started. C. Francis and R. Gardiner on the 7£m mark were first away and raced well over the first lap. Eight started off the Am mark, and were soon strung out, G. Young being responsible for some good work in this bunch. Two only started off the 6m mark and these were soon joined by the 4m and 5m riders, making a bunch of eleven. Good riding was being done in this crowd by W. Borland, H. Hamilton and J. C. Stewart. The 1.45 m and 2.30 m riders were together when half the distance had been covered, there being twelve riders in this bunch, good pacing work having been done by S. Baird, S. Lichfield, H. Dwight, L. Pinfold and C. A. Clarke. The scratch riders, J. H. Wade and G. Whitten were riding a great race pacing each other well, and gradually closing on the field, and as they entered the last lap ran up on to the tail end of it. At this stage F. Taylor, 6m 30s was leading by 500yds but tiring. Going down Robertson Road the last - time round the whole field was bunched, and remained so till a mile from the finish, when a cow crossed in front of the big field, letting the two scratch riders, Wade and Whitten, get a break on, which they held to the finish, the former finishing fast, winning by three lengths. Stewart and Taylor were the other placed riders, both getting their places comfortably. The time, considering the day, was exceptionally good.