Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 416, 26 July 1928, Page 7

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

By

“VELOS"

The Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club will hold a race to Papakura and back next Saturday, starting from the Mangere Bridge at 2.30 p.m. sharp. Riders are requested to be at the starting-post on time, as the committee intends to start punctually. Saturday’s 20-mile race was a benefit for the front-markers, R. Clark, R. Barry and T. Kennelly, who won as they liked. They have themselves only to thank for such an easy victory. as they certainly paced each other well. R. Clarke, the winner, thoroughly deserved his victory. It is his first, and it’s certain it will not be his last. He did considerably more than his share of pacing right through the distance, and climbed over Mangere hill better than any of the other two. R. Barry, who finished second, used bad judgment when he let Clarke get away from him at the foot of the Mangere Hill. He appeared to he about to “turn it up” till “Garry” Mathieson’s Press car caught him up, and gave him the necessary encouragement which sent him after the leader. Barry hails from Australia, and has competed in several important road events there. T. Kennedy was a very tired rider when he tackled the climb up Mangere Hid, but as no one was near him at this stage, ad he had to do was keep going to get third money. MATH lESON RIDES WELL The sprint by the middle-markers for the line was won by K. J. Mathieson, who showed a clean pair of heels to such good riders as Storey, Lowndes, Healey and Francis. Matliieson is riding in his best form at the present time, and appears to be able to beat those riders round him rather easily when it comes to sprinting. Once again Frank Prior rode the distance on his own. Starting off scratch, with a gap of 1 min 30sec on to Storey, Mathieson and Healey, lie slowly gained on them till, when the finishing post was reached, he had the verdict with a bit to spare. This is Prior’s third lone ride on end. and the last one was his best. Should he have to start in next Saturday’s Papakura race on his own, his chance looks hopeless. HAMILTON-AUCKLAND RACE The committee interested in the promoting of the Hamilton-to-Auck-land road race will not meet till next week. It was intended to finalise matters in connection with this event

this week, but owing to Mr. P. A. Richards being out of town, the meeting was put off till he returns. Inquiries have been received from several leading road riders from other districts as to when this big event is going to be held. It is hoped to hold it about the end of September, when, if sufficient funds are available, it is proposed to send the fa.stest-time rider to Christchurch to compete in the Timaru-to-Christchurch classic. MANUKAU CLUB’S SUCCESS Saturday’s team relay race promoted by the Manukau Amateur Cycle Club was a great success. The interest shown by riders and public alike was remarkable, and deservedly so, as the first three teams were within 45sec of each other. The winning team, L. G. Chambers (skip), L. Pinfold and D. Fletcher (44min 50sec) put up a very even ride. • They finished up their journey quite ; fresh, and appeared to have won easily. Thirty-three seconds behind them came C. L. Gainsborough (skip), W. Tomlinson, and W. Dwight (45min 23sec), and 45 seconds behind them again came C. Galbraith (skip), F. Taylor and H. Russell (45m 35sec), while 34 seconds later came the fourth team, A. W. Pinker (skip), K. Rowe, and V. Potter (46min 9sec). The . times, considering the day, were fair, i but many good riders drew others who were no good to them and this threw them completely out of the race. E. Hall, the winner of Saturday’s junior race, had a soft thing on. He ; was out on a good mark, and made full use of it. He and N. Wardell saw 1 to it that no back-marker got near them, and when the finish was reached there was more "than a hundred yards separating the placed riders. FRANCIS GETS TIME PRIZE C. Francis won his first fastest time, and also third place. He had no chance of catching the first two riders, and so had to be content with third place. He rode most of the journey alone and had had enough when the finishing line was reached. There is likely to be a “clean-up” of all amateur prizes owing very shortly. It was the intention of the president of the Auckland Centre to present these at his annual “smoko,” but owing to pressure being brought to bear on the centre to pay out ail prizes, this idea has been abandoned. Mr. E. G. Guy, Canterbury’s delegate on the council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, and .also on© of its vice-presidents, is at present in Auckland. He says cycling is making great headway in Wellington and promises to “go big” this year. All road races are well patronised by riders, and the racing is very keenly contested. The absence , of a banked track is felt very much, j but the prospects of having one in ! the near future look particularly bright, as the Agricultural and Pns- } toral Society, which is building fine j grounds in the city, proposes to put one down.