CYCLE ROAD RACE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4042, 2 May 1938, Page 5

CYCLE ROAD RACE

TO RUKUHIA AND BACK. SATURDAY’S CONTEST. Another series of road races was held by the Te Awamutu Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club on Saturday afternoon over a distance of 23& miles, to Rukuhia Factory and back. Ideal conditions prevailed for the outward journey but a slight headwind sprang up and somewhat impeded the riders on the return ride. Exceptionally fast times were recorded by all the competitors. At 1.30 p.m. the limit rider, R. Liddingion was sent on his ride, followed by C. McCahum three minutes later. ’1 he next rider to be sent away was L. Liddington, who was closely followed by L. Melville and A. Coxhead. M. Bridge and J. Dyer werq next, with G. Allen and B. Irwin only three-quarters of a minute behind. The virtual scratch pair, D. Lapwcod and H. Liddington were next, with J. A. Robertson, the scratch man 30 seconds behind. When Ohaupo was reached by the limit men the two riders in front were caught and a bunch of five carried on. At this stage M. Bridge had opened up a gap of 100yds on his comarker, and was only about half a mile behind the limit bunch. At the turn at Rukuhia Factory, L. Liddington had the misfortune to fall off his machine into the loose metal and receive a few nasty gravel rashes. He gamely caried on for another mile only to retire from the race. H. Liddington and D. Lapwood were doing best of the- others and were holding the scratch man off in fine style. L. Melville and A. Coxhead were the first pair to pass through Ohaupo, followed by M. Bridge, who had closed up the gap to 25yds. J. Dyer was caught by G. Allan and was again dropped about three miles from home. M. Bridge was the first rider to cress the finishing line. A. Coxhead and L. Melville were next to come in with the latter getting the verdict by two lengths. Fourth place was filled by G. Allen wih J. Dyer filth. D. Lapwood was the sixth rider to finish, with H. Liddington close on his wheel. Nearly one minute had elapsed before J. A. Robertson came home. The two limit riders, C. McCallum and R. Liddington received a good reception from the small group of spectators at the finish. These two boys, who rede great races, have not finished their schooling yet. The/ final result was: M. Bridge (Ihr 2min 11 2-ssec) 1, L. Melville (Ihr smin 25sec) 2, A. Coxhead (Ihr smin 26 2-ssec) 3. Fastest time was gained by D. Lapwood whose time was Ihr Omin 11 3-ssec.