CYCLING.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXI, Issue 12479, 16 September 1904, Page 3

CYCLING.

TRADES ROAD RACE

A series of road races >.has been instituted by the cycle trade of Timaru, the first of which took place yesterday afternoon under very favourable conditions. The 23-mile course was from Perry's bridge to Temuka and back to Hatton's foundry, a course which is a couple of hundred yards or so shorter than that of last vear. There were fifty-two entries, three of which weie informal. Of the remaining 49, all the men but seven started. The following were the starters: —G. Mansfqrd, Timaru, lmin; J- Connell, Temuka, 2mm; J. Cunnard, Temuka, 3min; C. Boulter, Temuka, smin; A. Fitzgerald, Geraldine, and' Jno. Spillane, Temuka, each 6m<n ; P. Cochrane, M. Smith, Temuka, J. W. Lawson and J. W. Waldie, Timaru, each 7min; C. Banton, R. Groves, D. Irving, G. Latimer, R. A. Rodgers, H. Thompson, W. J. Thome, Timaru, W. Snrridge, I): Taehen, J. C. Trumper, Temuka, and W. Howens, Geraldine, each Bmin; T. F. Anderson, J. J. Berry, G. Morton. St. Andrews, J. Brenton, P. Graham, G. G. Lewis. C. McDougall, Jas. Spillane, Sugrue, Timaru, F. G. Francis, Teimika, G. Holmes, Normanby. and Miles Melcalf. Geraldine, each 9mm; W. Beswanck, Washdyke, W. Pike, Morven, and J. Martin, Timaru, each lOmin; G. Brehaut, R. Henry, W. J. Mitchell, R. Cairns, and, H.. LeSueur, Timaru, each llmin. £; There was a good crowd to see the start, and the usual trouble was experienced in keeping the road clear. The mistake was also made of starting the race at the fc-ot of an up-trade, on a patch of loose xuingle, but the men got away in good style. »'-t withstanding. A few of the riders fell out for various reasons, Berry and Anderson having a collision on the first hill, while' Irving took champ and also fell out. The race started punctually, and a lot of speculation was indulged in as to whether the first man would return under the hour, as there was a southerly breeze against the riders. ' A much larger gathering was present at the finish, and there was considerable excitement as the first bunch of five men came in, the finish being a very close one. The result was as follows : T>} Taehen (Bmin), 58sec 25 2-ssec 1 G. Brehaut (llmin). 61min 25 3-ssec 2 R. A. Rodgers (Bmiii), 58min 26sec 3 Miles Metcalfe (9min), 59min 28sec 4

Taehen also made the fastest time; Rodgers made second fastest time, and Boulter made the fastest time unplaced (58 miri 57sec). The fastest previous time for a similar race was put up by Sutherland last year, lie having covered the distance in 58min 45sec. The majority of the riders came well up to the fastest men. though there were many stragglers who dropped in over half an hour or so. Most of the men finished pretty fresh, having done a good deal of training and being in good form. Apparently everyone was satisfied ; there was no hitch in the proceedings, and the race was as successful as any of its promoters could desire. The following were the officials : Judge. Mr J. L. Gillies: handicapper, Mr A. Bourn ; starter and secretary. Mr J. Donaldson ; timekeepers, Messrs B. McKnight. C. W. Wood and C. E. Donaldson ; stewards, Messrs M. Higgins, W. Oates, Grant, and Travers. The prizes were £4, £2 and £l, and £2 2-s for fastest time, all eiven by the cycling trade; while Mr A. Bourn gave a special prize of £1 Is for the breaker of Sutherland's record. Hie first race of the ee'ies having bee" «o successful. othev= of the kind wi'l be looked forward to with much interest, am l will be well entered for. The sc-»nd will take place in six weeks' time. The i>rnmoters already have enough support from tthe wholesale houses, to provide the prizes for the second race.