AMATEUR CYCLING

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 77, Issue 6543, 23 July 1948, Page 5

AMATEUR CYCLING

ROAD RACE LAST WEEK’S EVENT Last Saturday, in the Matamata Club’s open race, B. West and L. Crossley rode exceptionally well. They were lucky in that they rode off the same mark with no other comarkers. Before they had travelled five miles they had caught the bunch which started 30 seconds ahead of them. By lapping well together these four gained until they caught the winning bunch seven miles from home. In the final sprint W. Harper, of Hamilton, gained first place. West gained 10th place and Crossley 11th. West recorded the fastest time for the 33 miles, riding 1 hr. 15 mins 46$ secs., while Crossley gained second fastest and also junior fastest. Jim Oakes, another local rider, rode off the scratch mark but was unable to get up. The race at home, which was to the Rukuhia Factory and back, and Neil Redgate ran home a winner from the veteran rider J. Robertson. Three minutes later McAlpine, Rhodes and Hughes came into sight, McAlpine gaining the decision by half a wheel from Rhodes and Hughes the same distance away next. A new rider, Ray Parsons, having his first outing, rode in alone next, to be followed very closely by the visiting Auckland riders, Kirker and Clarke, in that order. Russell Robertson was next about 5 minutes ahead of Mearns. Fastest time: Rhodes, 1 hr 6 sec; Kirker, 1 hr 24 sec.; Clarke, 1 hr 26 sec. Next week’s race is to Pirongia and back.