LEAGUE CYCLE CLUB RACES

Taranaki Daily News, 6 February 1931, Page 11

LEAGUE CYCLE CLUB RACES

EVENING ROAD SERIES CONTINUE.

C. LEHRKE AND S. RODGERS WIN.

The/ series of evening road races was continued, by the New Plymouth League Cycling Club on Tuesday under ideal conditions. In both races there were close finishes. Lehrke, with a very fine sprint, won the first class scratch race, while Stan Rodgers just prevailed in a close finish in the second class; handicap. The following officials were present: Judges, Messrs. F. E. Orbell, A. Yardley and G. Tippins; number steward, A. Gable; timekeeper, D. George; committee, C. Tippins. Mr. E. Nodder assisted as road steward. Results:— SECOND CLASS HANDICAP. Third of scries of four races for a cup (4J miles): S. Rodgers (45sec) I2min 21 sec, 1. H. Burkitt (45. sec 12min 225ec,2. L. Stevens l3min Bsec, 3. W. Martin (lisec) 13min. 9sec, ,4. T. Horner (scr) gained fastest time, T2min 4sec. Also started: H. Eva (scr), W. Jones (45sec), E. Harnish (2min). Martin and Stevens caught Harnish in the first mile and the three led until the golf links on the return when Stevens broke away. Burkitt and Rodgers caught the other two. Stevens was caught again half a mile from home and by a determined finish Rodgers won by one and a half lengths from Burkitt, Stevens two lengths back just ahead of Martin and • Harnish. The scratch riders arrived less than half a minute later and Horner beat Eva by three lengths. Points now are: S. Rodgers 8, T. Horner 6, L. Stevens 6, H. Burkitt 4, W. Martin, E. Harnish and H. Eva 3 \each. OPEN SCRATCH RACE.

Third of series of four for a trophy (12 miles): C. Lehrke 1, Roy Sole 2, R. Yardley 3, C. Area 4. Also started: G. Sole, D. George, L. Claffey, N. Bellringer. Time, 31min 18sec. The pace was fairly good throughout, and on occasions Bellringer saw that there was no loafing. The eight competitors were bunched throughout. G. Sole and Claffey were leading the bunch at the bottom of Mangaone Hill, half a mile from /the finish, when all were trying for the best positions to begin the final sprint. Lehrke, from behind, moved first and led by two lengths with 7'5 yards to go, when R. Sole, Yardley, Aroa and Bellringer closed up. In a splendid finish Lehrke won by three-quarters of a length from R. Sole, who was a wheel ahead of Yardley, who in turn was a wheel ahead of Aroa, Bellringer being inches further back. Claffey, George and G. Sole were all close up. Points now stand: Lehrke 9, R. Sole 9, C. Aroa 7, R. Yardley 5. The final races of this series will be held on Tuesday evening. The scratch race will be to the Mountain Road and back, ten miles. The secopd class handicap will be to the Bell Block factory and back, 64 miles.