CYCLING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 25, 24 July 1911, Page 8

CYCLING.

THE MODEST ARNST. ] Py Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Sydney, July 22. Arnst told an interviewer that ho ' would like to ride in the forthcoming six days' cycling race, but not for the prize alone. He had his price. THE GREAT CIRCULAR ROAD RACE. BLUE RIBBON OF AUSTRALASIA. The most important and most valuable road race in Australasia is to be conducted on August 17 round Mount Egmont, and all doubt as to the prudence of the local committee that promoted the fixture in aiming at the outset to eclipse all the established fixtures in New Zealand and Australia, has been set at rest by the magnificent entries received. Certainly the Timaru-Christ-church, the Sydney-Bathurst, and the Warrnambool-Melbourne races have received at times larger entries, but never has such a galaxy of prominent racing cyclists been brought together as in the Taranaki Circular Road Race. The race has a total value of close on £3OO, including a solid silver challenge cup presented for annual competition by the Britannia Tyre Company, and valued at not less than 50 guineas. A five-guinea medal has been presented by the New Zealand Athletic Union, valuable medals

also by Mr. J. Bennett and Mr. F. Drake, while racing bicycles have been donated bp Adams, Ltd., J. B. Clarkson, Ltd., E. Reynolds and Co., Magnus Saunderson and Co., as well as smaller trophies by ; other firms. The committee has added £l3O in cash, of which the winner takes £SO, and the rider making the fastest time £2O, the cash being spread over £lO prizes. The Taranaki event off era no less than £SO more in cash than the blue ribbon race of Australia, the Warrnambool to Melbourne. The race is also unique in the fact that so far as can be ascertained, it is the only direct circular road race, starting and finishing f at the same point, in the cycling world. ' The road is a direct one, as it is practically the shortest route round Mount Kgtmont, 110 miles, and it is practically impossible for a competitor to lose his bearings. The road is in better order at present than it has ever been, and presents no obstacles whatever. The committee motored over the route during the week, and have practically decided that it will be from New Plymouth through Oka to and Rahotu to Opunake, thence along the Eltham road through . Kaponga to Eltham, and home to the ; Recreation Grounds through Stratford, Inglewood and Lepperton. There will be feeding stations at various points along the ronte, where the competitors will be supplied with hot milk, which may be taken without dismounting. Provided the weather is fine, the average time for the journey should be about seven hours. The race will probably start between 8 and 9 a.m. from the vicinity of the railway station, and finish as mentioned above in the Recreation Grounds, in which a special entrance to the track will be made. During the afternoon a seven-a-side football tournament will be held, and the progress of the race announced from time to time as telephonic messages come to hand from the towns through which the race will pass. Most of the riders and their trainers, numbering close on 150, will be in New Plymouth for from ten to fourteen days, familiarising themselves with the road, and also to compete in the Waitara-Inglewood-New Plymouth to Waitara road race on August 10, a week prior to the big event. So far the townspeople have supported the committee splendidly, and close on £75 is guaranteed towards the expenses of the event. Good support has also been received from Okato, Rahotu, Opunake and Kaponga. During the next few days an energetic canvass is to be made of those not yet called on, when it is hoped to bring the fund up to an amount that will relieve the committee of anxiety re- - garding the financial result. The event, providing the initial one is a financial success, will be competed annually, and will stand as a splendid for New Plymouth and the towns and country round the mountain. The following entries have been received to date:— George E. Hancock (Waihi), H. H. Burr (Auckland), C. J. Claridge (Morrinsville), Chas. T. Carr (Masterton), H. J. Nieholls (Auckland), N. Ingram (Gisborne), Jack Coulter (Woodville), L. E. Smith (New Plymouth), Peter Hill (Addington), Ben Martin (Christchurch), P. O'Shea (Christchurch), A. B. L. Smith (Christehurch), W. Greenlees (Wanganui), A. C. Walker (Wellington), John] Brennan (Otahuhu), C. E. Greenlees (Aramoho), A. Campbell (Blenheim), C. W. Burton (Epsom), W. S. Kofoed (Tariki), N. A. Christiansen (Wanganui), A. Walker (Awatuna East), G. Herring (Grey Lynn), L. V. Young (Winchester), J. Mclntyre (Hamilton), O. Neilson (Makotuku), E. H. Stoddart (Waitara), W. C. Taylor (Marton), L. Hunt (Manaia), W. R. Bradey (Bunnythorpe), R. H. Lawrence (Waitara), Jas. Clarke (Palmerston North), A. Giffney (Pukeroro), E. Dickhoff (Rangiora), G. W. Prebble (Christcliurch), G. T. Kofoed (Tarilci), James Punish (Awatuna), N. W. Wadman (Onehunga), Kiro (Puniho), E. J. Sheppard (Kaponga), W. Thomas (Waitara), L. Thomas (Waitara), T. Quickenden (Rahotu, W. R. Coulter (Palmerston North), Harry Gore (Hinds), S. Cuppless (Christchurch), Jas. Jury (New Plymouth), G. Meharry (Wanganui), Guy Bell (New Plymouth), N. A. Coleman (Nelson), M. W. Julian, R. Rennett and Ben Urry (New Plymouth), R. Tapp (Omata), H. Rowe, S. Davis, W. F. Roebuck and W. D. Roebuck (New Plymouth), F. Everett (Addington)', D W Musgrove (Levin), W. O. O'Donnell (Levin), H. Anderson (Palmerston North), S. A. Couchman (Alton), B. Champion (Wanganui), P. Finchbach (Gisborne), F. Coleman (Christchurch), P. Griffin (Bulls), B. Maberly (Auckland), W. J. Jones (Hamilton East], J. R. Archibald (Levin), A. H. Barker (Hornby)i, G. H. Tomline (Christchurch), A. G. Donald (Palmerston North), P. Humm (Sydenham), H. F. Williams (Christchurch), H. H. Gibson (Christchurch), F. Coleman (Christchurch), E. Wall (Halswell), G. Birch (Christchurch), M. Simmons (New Plymouth)!, Alf. Birch (Christchurch) W. R. Wiley (New Plymouth), four others from Gisborne to be selected this week after an elimination race, and W Ronnie (South I'arra, Melbourne).

Australian entries close in Sydney and 1 Melbourne on the loth ins-t., and it is J expected that there may be at least j six prominent riders' nominations to I hand by this morning's mail. J

WAITARA RACE. The following entries have been re- | ceived for this event: —G. E. Hancock, If. J. Nicholls, P. Hill, P. O'Shea, A. 13. L. : Smith, A. C. Walker, J. Brennan, A. Campbell, W. S. Kofred, N. A. Christian-, sen, L. V. Young, J. Mclntyre, G. Herring, W. E. Taylor, W. Rennie, J. Clarke, A. Giffney, W. R. Bradey, G. W. Jrebble, G. G. Kofoed, T. Quickenden, W. A. Coulter, H. Gore, J. Jury, R. Tapp, W. D. Roebuck, W. F, I'.oebuck, J. McTigue, T. Everett, H. Anderson, B. Champion, P. Griffon, B. Maberley, W. G. Jones, P. Humm, J. C. Everett, A. H. Parker, A. S. Donald, H. F. Williams, T. H. Gibson, E. Wall, B. -Urry, D. Mano, A. Birch, 0. Neilson, J. Coulter, J. Parrish, iC. W. Burton, N. Wadman, S. A. Conchman, L. Thomas, W. Thomas, E. Clare, E. Stoddart, R. Lawrence, W. Soil, Ingram, Anderson (representing riders from all parts between Auckland and Timaru).