CHAMPIONSHIP CYCLING

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1928, Page 3

CHAMPIONSHIP CYCLING

NORTH ISLAND TITLE RACE BELLRINGER WINS AT AU KLAND. TARANAKI FILLS THREE PLACES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Heavy rain and a strong wind made conditions decidedly unpleasant for the North Island cycle road race championship from Hamilton to Auckland on Saturday. The event was won by N. Bellringer (New Plymouth), who covered the 90-mile stretch in 4hrs. 45Jmin., riding a remarkable race. The winner made his victory' more noteworthy by reason of the fact that he was never far behind the leading bunches at any stage, although he crossed the starting line in Hamilton 23 minutes after the despatch of the first contestant.

Second and third places were filled by R. Yardley (4hrs. 42min.) aud L. Cargen (4hrs. 42Jmin.) respectively. These two competitors also represented Taranaki. The well-known Gisborne cyclist, 8. Gooch, secured the blue ribbon for fastest time, covering the journey in 4hrs. 39min. He finished strongly with the first batch of riders. J. Lindop was only 14 seconds behind him. Taranaki men placed were: — N. Bellringer (N.P.), 22min 1 R. Yardley (N.P.), 18min 2 L. Gargan (Kaponga), 18min 3

K. Stockman (Stratford), 20min 8 C. Tippins (N.P.), 4min 9 S. McCann (New Plymouth), the only scratch rider, had made up considerable ground when ho had the bad luck to puncture no less than three times, retiring after the third mishap.

NEW PLYMOUTH LEAGUE CYCLING. C. AROA IN GREAT FORM. Saturday saw the close of the New Plymouth League Cycle Club’s road season. Two good races, one senior and one junior, were held, and at the conclusion the club president, Air. C. H. Weston, presented the season’s trophies. Ho congratulated the winners and the officials who had sacrificed their time to conduct a fine sport. The officials present w r ere: Starter and time-keeper, Mr. A. George; judges, Messrs. R. Lovell and W. Yardley; handicapper, Air. D. Alansfield; number steward, Air. D. Nielson; call steward, Mr. F. Gable; committee, Messrs. D. Lobb, R. Area, G. Tippins and D. George. The senior race started at the Waiwakaiho and was through Lepperton to Tariki and back, a distance of approx imately 40 miles. It was the final race of a series of four races for a cup donated by Mr. A. E. Andrews and Mr. t ie. Gunson’s medal. The race resulted: C. Aroa (scratch), Ihr. 54min. 12sec. 1 A. Wiley (lOmin.), 2hrs. smin. 42sec. 2 C. Lehrke (6Jmin.), 2hrs. 2min. 32sec. 3 K. Ward (lOmin.) 4 Also started —C. Parker scratch, G. Collingwood GJmin., E. Bullot lOmin., R. Doig 12>nin. L. Claffey, handicapped on lOmin., arrived late and started from the scratch mark. In the first five miles Wiley had gained the lead, followed closely by Bullot, Ward and Doig together, with Lehrke and Collingwood next, then Parker and Aroa. Claffey dropped back early in the race.

Going through Inglewood Wiley was well in the lead, being 1J minutes ahead of Ward, Bullot and Doig, who were imiii. ahead of Collingwood and Lehrke. At the turn at Tariki Wiley was still 14m in. ahead of Ward, Bullot, Doig, Lehrke and Collingwood. Aroa and Parker arrived 3jmin. behind the leader. There was no alteration in the order at Inglewood, but the scratch men had gained fmin. Soon afterwards Parker, who was obviously’ not in form, retired, leaving Aroa to travel alone with over half a mile to catch up on the next bunch of five riders. Aroa was riding well and slowly gained. He caught the bunch at Lepperton, where Bullot dropped back. Soon after turning along the main road Ward and Doig dropped back and Aroa left Lehrke and Collingwood ouco more to travel alone, after the leader. Aroa caught Wiley at Bell Block factory. Wiley was tired after having ridden a good unpaced race, so Aroa went straight on to win by about half a mile. Wiley was second, about 100 yards ahead of Lehrke, with Ward well back fourth. Collingvrood was forced to retire a few miles from . the finish with wheel trouble.

JUNIOR RACE. The juniors raced to Waitara and back, a distance of 164 miles, for medals donated by Alessrs. It. Aroa and W. Roberts. The race resulted: — T. Hookham (scratch), 46min. 42sec. 1 J. Gable (20sec.), 47min. 2 l-ssec. .. 2 A. Ellis (20scc.), 47min. 2 2-ssee. .. 3 M. Plumtree (20sec.), 47min. 2 3-ssec. 4 Also started—B. Reilly, A. Henderson and N. Way 4min., L. Christiansen and 11. Kopu Sniiii. 20sec. This race provided an exciting finish. Riding alone from scratch, Hookham caught the 20sec. boys on the Alangaoraka hill going out, having gained a little assistance from I’lumtrcc. At the turn at Waitara Christiansen and Kopu, riding well, were leading by 15sec. from Reilly and Way. The four back-mark-ers were 3min. lOsec. behind the leaders at the turn. It looked as if the leaders would win the race, but a strong head wind made things difficult. Five miles from home Christiansen, Kopu, Reilly and Way were together, two minutes ahead of the baek-markers. It still appeared as if the limit men would win, but the back group, by strenuous efforts, were, wearing the leaders down. Nearing the finish it was still hard to say whether the leaders would win or not, as the back-markers still had a lot to catch up. However, they had made it al the foot of the Mangaone hill, three-quarters of a mile from home. In the sprint Hookham showed out and proved that he was undoubtedly the junior champion. He won by a length from Gable, with Ellis third and Plumtree next. The final points for flic season are: • Senior cup.—lt. A'ardley 10, C. Aroa 9, S. McCann 8. Junior medals. —T. Hookham 12, A. Ellis 10, J. Gable and N. Way 6. Season’s aggregate for the Armstrong Cycle Company’s cup and medal. —-C. Aroa 27, J. Gable 25, A. Ellis 19, T. Hookham 16. After congratulating the winners on the splendid racing and record-breaking. Air. Weston presented the following trophies:— First junior road series, for medals donated hv Messrs. B. Tippins and F.

Orbell.- J. Gable winner, A. Ellis run-ner-up.

First senior series for Mr. R. Smillie's medals.—C. Lehrke winner, C. Aroa runner-up.

Second junior aeries for Mr. 11. McNeill’s medal. —B. Reilly. Second senior series for cup donated by Mr. H. McNeill.—C. Aroa. Junior series for Messrs. R. Aroa and W. Roberts’ medals. —T. Hookham winner, A. Ellis runner-up.

Senior series for Mr. A. E. Andrews’ cup and medal donated by Mr. Vic. Gunson. —R. Yardley winner, C. Aroa runner-up. Senior championship, blue ribbon and gold medal donated by the president.— R. Yardley. Junior championship for bile ribbon donated by Mr. G. Tippins.—T. Hookham. Inglewood race for Mr. J. R. Scents’ gold medal.—R. Yardley. PALMERSTON N. TO WELLINGTON. CHRISTCHURCH MAN’S WIN. Wellington, Sept. 22. The Palmerston North to Wellington cycling road race was won to-day by A. R. Mutton (Christchurch) off ths 35min. mark. C. R. Hodes (Christchurch) 35min., was second, G. Former (Christchurch) 16min. third, N. Collins (Palmerston North) fourth. I>. G. Lukey (Christchurch), scratch, fifth. The fastest time was L. G. Lukey’a Glirs. 22mm. 44 2-sscc. The second, fastest time was done by M. Gane (Wellington), Ghrs. 33min. 3Osec., and ths third fastest by G. Farmer (Christ ' church), Ghrs. 38min. 44sec.