CYCLING

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17350, 15 May 1924, Page 4

CYCLING

ON TRACK AND ROAD

BY

“WHEEL."

FIXTURE. May 17 Belfast Hoad Race (onen). Saturday last, was the first day for several months that was free for tho racing cyclists, road and track races being oft . Tho road race which was to have been held by tho Belfast Cycling Club wati postponed until next Saturday on account of the small entry. Entries for the event close with tho secretary or Mr P. C. Lucas, to-night, and riders are reminded that this will probably be the final road race of the season. Tho distance is sixteen miles and liberal prizes are offered. The entry fee is 3s. • a * The Canterbury Football Association, which is now affiliated with the North Canterbury Centre, will shortly hoid track races at English Park during the interval of the football matches. Open races and races for boys will be held. Riders who contemplate attempting to lower A. Leathern’s unpaced mile record of 2mins 18secs should make early application to the centre, so that the necessary arrangements can be made. A Saturday afternoon, would bo a suitable time for an attempt. The winners of track championships for the past season will receive a championship certificate stating the distance, place where run, and the time lecordea. The certificates will b© issued at an early date. The Paparua Cycling Club (Islington), will probably hold track meetings during next racing season in the Hornby Domain. A banked track is being laid down and should be readyearly in the coming season. It probable that four of the Shalaer’s family will be represented in tho next Timaru to Christchurch road race. 'Hie best known of the brothers is Frank, who, during recent years, has started off the mark with Phil O'Shea. It is also rumoured that Parker aud Birch, two veterans, will also t*e competitors. The success of tho popular George Lange lost year. }ias probably induced those keen followers of the sport to Lav© a go. Tho competition for the “ Boomerang ’ Cup, which goes to the riders gaining most points in open track races, held in the North Canterbury district, has now practically closed. Seme of the most sucessful riders, J. Hcncierson, P. O’Shea, A. leathern, W. Muir and S. L. Wilbraham and H. G. "Watson. J. Henderson is the present holder. The “ Glass ” tlup which is held by the rider gaining most points in open road races will probably change hands again this season. The Cup is at present held by W. Mackie, R. Leggett. appears to have evry chance of winning the Cup, but as other road races may be held before July 31 the result is still in doubt. The Papanui Club seems to have given up all attempts at racing of any description. Tho club’s activities ceased some months ago, when a road race was held. With good roads and a track at the disposal of the club, a very strong membership should be recorded. It is rumoured that next year a separate cycling club will be formed to run road races in previous years.

The Mairekau Club has had a record season, the addition of track meethaving benefited the club’s finances to. a large extent. In addition to this the liist of club and open road races- has 'been an extensive one.

A match over a distance of thirteen miles, twice around th Mairebau block, will take place on Thursday afternoon, at 4 30 p.m. betw-een two wellknown riders, viz., E. G. Fuller and W. Coman. The riders will start off •t nine-minute intervals

The North Canterbury centre will probablv hold a New Zealand Derby Championship at an early date. This matter will be considered at a meeting of the excutive on Monday.

An inquiry was held on Tuesday by the Mairehau Club, owing to an allegation that one of the riders in the Mile feouth Island Chnmpion-

ship held recently tried to tip one of tho other competitors. The result was a decision that no action is to he taken. In connection with this event, it is possible that the back men may have to come before tho next meeting of the centre, it having been alleged that they were not working in cooperation, and that one rider was interfered with. The competition for tho Mairehau Challenge Cup closed on May 3. This cup was won by W. Coman, and is held by the rider gaining most points in races held by the club during the season. Coman gained 66 points, and R. Leggett was Th© Burnside Challenge Cup for th© rider under eighteen years or age gaming most points was also won by Coman, who has had a very successful season. His success has been due to the fact that ho has always been a trier. He is to be congratulated on his wins! It is reported that TV. Mackie will shortly make an attempt to create a fifty-mile motor-paced record. ••• The following references to competitors in the fifty-mile South Island road championship were inadvertently omitted from laet week’s notes:— O. I>. Burnand, seven place, proved himself to be a good distance rider. Off the eight minute mark ho rocle well and when caught by the *back - markers kept his place with them right to the finish. H. W. Cant, eighth place, is one of the few pre-war riders now racing, and he is still going strong, riding practically as well as ever he did. At the end of the seventh lap “ Harry ” appeared to be done, but he kept on and finished in a place. He is a rider who can put up a. good performance on both road and track. W. J. Hill, ninth place, came under public notice by winning the Christ church to Leeston road race last December, but he has not raced much since. He is shaping well to make a good distance rider. R. Bullivant, tenth place, was the first of the front men to finish. He rode a good race and thorough deserved a place. • • Other riders who rode well and finished were:—L- G. Lukey, Jack Welsh, T. Ellis, 8. A. Jordan, W. It Jackman, M. P. Leathern, A. Bonis, G W. Prebble, S. Purvis, R. R. Wills, Roy Bradley and C. B. Jones. It was expected that the back-mark-ei's would have put up a better fight than they did. Henderson was out early with a puncture, Watson retired through the cold affecting him, and Mackie and Carey also retired before the finish. Bonis continued to ride and finished l2min 31sec behind Leathern.

Of the throe minute men A. T George and M. P. Leathern were the best, tho former finishing well up. Leathern had a spill.

All the five minute men retired for various reasons, but most of them through being affected by the cold.. H. J. Savage and G. N. Prebble were the only six minute men to compete. The former rode an exceptionally game race, finishing sixth and eighteenth respectively.

Ellis, Jordan and Bradley were the seven minute riders to finish, the first two putting up excellent performances. Bradley only commenced to ride . the last lap after the oihe't two riders had finished the race.

J. Welsh, C. L. Burnand and R. R Wills rode well out of the eight minute riders, Burnand finishing close up. Although these riders started off the same mark, there is a vast difference in their riding limes. Burnand rode the course in 7min 29see faster than Welsh and 19min 20sec faster than Wills.

The nine minute bunch comprised some good riders, those who finished being A. Marra, H. W. Cant, W. J. Hill and L. G. Lukey. The lastnamed gamely saw the race out and was in a state of cal lapse at the finish The difference between Marra’s and I.ukey’s riding time was 6min 26sec.