LE COMPTE WINS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17345, 27 September 1924, Page 9

LE COMPTE WINS.

TIMARU TO CHRISTCHURCH ROAD RACE.

FASTEST TIME SECURED BY D. WRIGHT, REEFTON

With the roads fast drying under the riders, and a southwest. wind helping them on their journey, the Timaru to Christchurch cycle road race was held to-day under conditions making for fast times. The heavy rain that fell during the night cleared before the start of the race, and though the sky remained overcast in the morning the weather, for the greater part, was good. The result was: B. I.E COMPTE, Ashburton (40min), riding time shr sSmin 42sec . . . . . . .- . . . - . . ... 1 P. H. WHELCH, Christchurch (38min), riding time, 6hr Omin 23sec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 P. G. HACK, East Eyreton (42min) . . . . . . 3 A. A. MORWOOD, Papanui (31 min) 1 D. WRIGHT, Reefton (lOmin), fastest time, shr 48min 59scc C. BELL, Christchurch (scr), second fastest time, shr 52min 66sec. M. P. LEATHEM, Christchurch (6min), third fastest time, shr 53min 40sec.

\ big crowd assembled at Bellvu© Hill, Timaru, to witness the start of the race. The sky was overcast, but the weather was warm. There was heavy rain nil night hut it ceased about 8 o'clock. Punctually at 9.10 a.m. the eight limit youths were despatched, and were given a hearty cheer. There was a wait of seven minutes before the second batch got away. Thereafter the groups went at one two and three minute intervals till neai the scratch mark. Moore, iifteen minutes, was despatched alone, his two companions having been scratched. “ Here’s where fastest time will come from,” was tho universal opinion, meaning that from Moore back to tile scratch men the blue ribbon would be The scratch men were a line quartette of young riders, aurl were cheer- i ed enthusiastically on leaving the mark. Amongst those to give them a push off was Phil O'Shea, the retired champion of Australasia. The scratchings were:— Adams 41 mins, Davies 38mins, Kirk, C rutchley and Walsh 37min, Thompson 3-3mir»., Regaif 34min, Pyc 33min, Shalders and Arnst 28min, Pratlcv 21min, Dawson JSmin. Shalders and Tunnel lomin, Crutch ley lOmin. Early disaster befell Gardiner of Dun&andel, who started with the 4U minutes batch. Ho just reached the bottom of Bellvue Hill when he slipped and fell, breaking a collarbone. Scuffed was caught by the tenminuto men at Teniuka. tho six-minute men riding between Timaru and Temuka at the rato of twenty-five miles au hour, going exceptionally well. Crowds at various points of the route urged tho riders on. l'lanagan was passed on the side of the load near Winchester, having broken his forks. W right and Scuffed wot© going well at just over 2d miles j»er hour and had almost caught the 13 minute pair with whom were Gooch and .Moore, tho latter having waited for company. Bradley and Gwatkin had pulled out in this vicinity owing to punctures. Tho scratch quartet were riding 2-5 miles an hour and once out of the hills of Timaru were going very nicely. Tho limit men took an hour and eleven minutes to reach Geraldine, the ten minute men an hour and four minutes, tho six minute men an hour and tiro minutes and the scratch men an hour and five minutes. It will thus he seen that, of the hack markers, Hill and Wright aro making the best time over tho first portion of the jourOnlv on© competitor dropped right out yf the contest up to Geraldine, which is generally considered a. record •Jennings (30min) and Campbell (34min) pulled up at Arundel with cramp- Tho scratch men here were averaging twenty miles an hour. On catching up to the six-minute men tho official far found them also doing nearly the same speed. A little further on. Bradley was on liis own, travelling twenty-one miles. Thomas and Jarden punctured on the Hinds Road, where Moore broke a chain and retired. After crossing the Rangitata, where there was the first feeding station, tho official car commenced to pass competitors :n ones and twos, many with punctures and other mishaps. Quite a number had had enough at this stage. R. T. Dodd had a spill on the Hinds Road and injured his ribs. He ▼as picked up by the car and brought to Ashburton. A string of fifteen men. including the eighteen-minute markers, was passer! at, Winslow. A very large crowd assembled at Ashburton, where the second lot of pannikins and milk was handed out. Hill and Wright had gained fifteen minutes on the limit men at Ashburton. George and Leatham wore just holding their own with the ten minute men up to this distance. The scratch men also put up something like the same time, so it looked like a keen contest for fastest time. Mackie, Hell and Henderson passed through without Burnand. T he road between Hakaia and Bankside was in a very had stile, with loose shingle and muddy patches, which caused tho cycles to skid hadlv. and many riders to dismount. The time over a few miles here was slow*. Nearing Dunsandel, Morwood, riding alone, and going strongly, appeared to he very fresh and likely, at this stage, to be handy at the finish. Tim re were only four in front of him H. Be Compte, Ashburton (40min), was leading by two miles at Templeton from I*. H. Welch. -Christchurch (38minV Then, h mile further hack, cam© P. G. Hack. Hast Kyreton (12 min'). Following in order at intervals of nearly a. mile were D. Alford. Rangiora (32min), W. T. Blackman, Stratford (33min), and A. A. Morwood, Papanui (31min). The last-named was riding very strongly in sixth place, and looked likely to finish in third place.

Tho positions of the riders at the times and towns stated were:— GER ABDTNE. 10.21 a.m.—R. V. Brookland, T. Lynch. 10.21 a.m. -E. M. Prestidge, G. Barnes, C. L. Woudiield, W. Huddlestone. 10.20 a.m. P. G. Hack, J. IB Afus-r-on. J. M’Gec, J. Parsons, G. Brady, C. E. Jones, G. Croat. 10.27 a.m.—J. G. Whitlow*, W. R. Blackburn, H. M’Kenzie, H. E. Wells, A. Williams, H. Hanson, J. Coventry, 11 Prince, C. W. Wood house, W. Breliuut, R. H. Stack, AY. R. AA'ilmott, G. L. Templeton, G. A. Britcliff, D. G. Nolan, J. H. Craib, and B. Be Compte. 10.29 a.m. F. Cornwall, Ik F. Small, C. Basher, .1. W. Jordan, P. 11. Whelch, 1. F. Bishell, AY. B. Power. H. J. M Nicholl, G. J. AYindlc, G. I Bush ridge, B R. Small. 10.30 a.m. C. Blyth, F. G. Sparkes, •E. P. Farmer, E. Fitzgerald, N. AYhitc, J. Holmes. S. J. Knight, J. M Clintock. AA*. K. Jackman, A. .1. Brvan, F. Brazil, L. Mortlook, (’. G. Bange, L\ Hardie, C. AY hall, B. G. Rae, A. B. Shalders, I. F. Bishell, AY. !•: Courtier, A. A. Cox. 10.31 a.m.- H. G. Haider, F. A. Coombcs, H. T ilihert, A. B. Philip, H. M. Sparkes. R. Harrison, A. AY. Blackman. H. M 'Gregor. 10.33 a.m. J. O. Puttick, F. S. Dun ford, AA". H. J*ong. 10.3-1 a.m. \V. A. Sheldon, J. Forrest, AA". T. Blackman, 1). E. Speirs, A. E. Gobbe, A. A. Maude, J. B. CTeland, E. E. Pearce, C. AB Lukey, B. Long, B. G. Bukev. AY. Hall, J. H. Parsons, TB T. Dodd. 10.37 a.m.—J. H. Burrowes, O. S. Lang. 10.39* a.m. R. Laskie, H. F. Prehhle, .7. A. Simmons, R. AA"ills, S. G. Smith, IB H. Moffat, E. Best, H. C’ranfiehl, P. H. Campbell, S. A. Jordan, S. H. Arnst, Iv G. Fuller, T. F. ; AT’Aver, F. Knight. P. Jarden, A". B. Errirlge, J-. A Wilson. 10.41 a.m. A. IB Hawke. 10.40 a.m. C. Austin, A. E. Porter, C. J. Sowden, G. Jackson, D. J. Stewart, V. B. Thomas. 10.16 a.m. T. J. AToffet, J. Templeton. A. IB AYood. G. F. Good.aH, G. H. Peglev, A. C. England, J. AVelsh, A\ - . J. Hill. R. H. Orton, H. Cant, A\". Coman, R. Leggett, P. F. Saunders. 10.03 a.m. F. J. Shalders, K. Bange, AY. Gooch, B R. Moore. 10.0! a.m. D. AYright, P. Hill, B. J. Scuffell. 10.06 a.m. R. Bradley. 10.08 a.m. A. F. Gwatkin. 10.59 a.m. AB P. Leathern, A. T. George, H. J. Savage. 11.0 a.m. AY. Mackie, C. Bell, H. Burnand. J. Henderson. ASHBURTON. 12.20 p.m. G. Brady, D. H. Stack, B. Be Compte. 12.21 n.m. P. G. Hack, R. V. Brookland, H. Prince. 12.22 p.m. J. M’Gee. 12.23 p.m. X. AA lute, J. H. Parsons, G. J. AA’indlc, F. Cornwall, P. H. AYholcli. 12.20 p.m. -C. .13! v the, A. L. Shalders. J. 1,. CTeland G. Croat, T. Lynch, A. A. Morwood, G. Barnes. 12.27 p.m. —C. E. Jones, C. Wood--12.28 p.m. J. AFCTintock, E. E. Pearce, J. G. AYhitlow, T. F. Bishell. 12.29 p.m. R. Harrison, C. M. Lukey, M. J. AT Nicholl, F. G. j Sparkes, Hanson, Al’Kenzic. 12.32 p.m. -Wilrnott, Simmonds, ! Prehhle, Arnst, Fuller, Best. Sowden, | Breliaut, Smith. Laskey. Wills. 12.30 p.m. Hill, Jordan, Courtier, Xclmcs, Mortlock. 12.37 p.m.—Cox, Small, Bange, Al’Avey. 12.38 p.m.--Rae, Parsons. 12.39 p.m.—Saunders, Templeton, England. 32.40 p.m.— Goodall, Prehble, Wood, | Leggett, Austin. 12.41 p.m. AVelsh, AA hall, Sowden, Hill, AA*. Sparkes, If. Bukey, Erridge. 12.48 p.m.—Coman, C-ant. Sheldon. 12.41 p.m. Hill, P. Shalders, F. J. Gooch. AYright. 72. tO p.m. -Speirs, Craw field. 12. 17 p.m. Leathern, George, Pcgloy. 12.02 p.m.—Savage. 12.03 p.m. Mackie. Bell. Henderson I? ATv AI A. The riders passed Rakaia, as follow:--1.13 p.m. P. H. Whelch, A. Phil--1.10 p.m. (). Alford. AA". Blackmun. 1.17 p.m. H Shalders. 1.20 p.m. 1). Stack. H. Prince, A. Morwood, CTeland, G. \\ indie, Corntier. 1 1.22 p.m. Brookland 1.20 p.m. —B. Bukey, E. Pearce, R. Harrison. 7.29 p.m.— APClintock, G. Jackson, C. Blyth. 1.31 p.m.— -C. E. Jones. G. Croat, C. AAoodhousc, J. Simmonds. AY. J [ Hill. R. Baskev. E. Best, J. Dyer J-32 p.m.— AV. Power.

1.33 p.m.—H. AFNicholl, F. Sparkes. 1.34 p.m.— P. Saunders, J. Templeton, R. Leggett, A. England, G. Goodall. C. Austin. 1.37 p.m.—J. AA’elsh. 1.38 p.m.—Hadler 1.39 p.m.— G. Lange, H. M’Kenzio 1.46 p.m.—Fuller, Barnes. 1.41 p.m.—P. Hill, D. AYright. Coman . ! .42 p.m.—AY. J. Hill, D. Nolan, AY Bill. L 1.45 p.m.—Leathern, George. 1.46 p.m.—Bell, ATackie. DUNSANDEL. 1.54 p.m. B. 1-e Comte. 1.58 p.m.—P. H. Welch. 1.59 p.m.—P. G. Hack. 2.5 p.m. -Alford, Blackmun. 2.7 p.m.—Morwood. 2.9 p.m.— Cleland, Prince. 2.10 p.m.—Laskey. Simms, Austin, Pearce, Best, and two others. 2.11 p.m. Blyth. 2.12 p.m.— Leggett, Goodall, M’Clintock, Jackson. 2.14 p.m.—Croat. 2.16 p in.—G. Prehble, Lukey. 2.17 p.m.—Welsh, Walsh, Jones, AA T oodhousc. 2.23 p.m.— George Leathern. Savage. 2.25 p.m. Bell. Crutchley. 2.26 p.m.— P. Hill. 2.38 p.m.—Mackie. 2.40 p.m.—Shaidcrs. AT THE SHOW GROUNDS. By every available means of transit crowds of people travelled to the A. and P. Show Grounds to-day to see the conclusion of the road race. Ihe largo stand was rapidly filled and thousands pressed around the railing of tho enclosure. A number of boys’ races were run, providing amusement for the gathering, which at about 2.45 totalled 3009. The weather cleared up about noon, and there was bright sunshine. At three o’clock further crowds poured into the ground, and a progress report from the “Star” office, stating that Lc Compte was leading caused considerable excitement. LE COAI PTE'S EASY AYIN. Be Compte arrived on the ground five minutes before AYhelch, the second man. He was given an ovation, but tho crowd had no time to offer congratulations. His supporters hurried him off the ground for a rub down. In the words of one spectator, lie was as “fresh as a daisy.” The placing was:— B. Lo Compte, Ashburton (40min). Time—shrs 58min 42sec .... I P. H. whelch, Christchurch (38min). Time— 6m in 0 2-3 sec . - . -2 P. (t. Hack, East .Kyreton (42min) . 3 A. A. Morwood, Papanui (31m in) . I O. Alford, Rangiora (32min) . . 5 J. A. E. Simmons Christchurch (39min) 6 G. L. Templeton. Ashburton (43min) . 7 If. Prince, Kaikoura (lOmin) . . 8 R. I.askcy, Southbvook (28min) . . 9 R. Harrison, Christchurch (4lmin) . 10 W. R. Blackburn, llalswcll (41 min) . 11 R. Leggett, Christchurch (18min) . 12 G. F. Goodall, Tetnuka (23min) . .13 J. Welsh, Barfield (21miu) . . .14 B. Wright, Reefton (lOmin) . . .15 G. Croat. Lees ton (42min) I . .16 P. F. Sounders, Christchurch (ISmin) 17 C. Austin. Riccarton (25min) . . .18 C. H Bowers, Christchurch (35min) . 19 G. W. Prehble, Christchurch (18min) . 20 T.. G. Lukey, Amberley (30min) . . 21 G. Jackson, Cheviot (32ml n) . . .22 C. E. Jones, Christchurch (42min) . . 23 J. L. Cleland, Ashburton (30min) . . 24 M. P. Leathern, Christchiu'ch (fimin) 25 A. T. George, Christchurch (6min) . 26 C. AY. Wood house, Christchurch Mlmin) 27 J. M Clintock, Christchurch. CUmin > 28 AV. Gooch, Hokitika (23min) . . .29 AV. Coman, Christchurch (21 min) . . 30 C. Bel! Christchurch (scr) . . . 31 8. G. Smith, Lincoln (28min) . . .32 P. Hill. New Brighton (lOmin) . . 33 W. !,. Power, FCaia.poi (40m in) . . 34 G. J. Windle, Hornby (42min) . . 3.5 WRIGHT’S LUCK. D. AN right., who secured fastest time, said he rod© a long way on his own

"Who made fastest time in to-day's race. Ho was on the 10-minute mark. dropping the men he set out with through punctures. He was very lucky in coining through without any puncBell, who secured second fastest time, had a puncture which held him up for a few minutes. He dropped Burnand at Hinds, and Mackie at Hakaia. “ A DARN GOOD RIDE.” AVhelch, upon being interviewed, said lie had had a fairly good ride. From Timaru to Ashburton the road was fairly muddy, hut the sou’-wester helped to counteract this. Shingle was frequently encountered between Ashburton and Christchurch. From < hortspy to Christchurch he was riding on his own. At the Solwyn he was catching up on bo Com pie but when crossing the ford lie had a spill. For about three minutes he could not move. He came into sight of the winner again on Lincoln Hoad, but was unable to catch. It had been a darn good ride. HOW THE SCRATCH MEN FARED. Great interest centred in the doings of the scratch men. Bell, Mackie, Henderson and Burnand. The latter found the pace too hot and retired before Ashburton was reached. Henderson had the misfortune to break his front wheel in the vicinity of Chcrtsey, and Mackie pulled up about

tho same time. This left llell on his own and but for sustaining a puncture he must have gone very close to obtaining fastest time, if not actually winning it. PREVIOUS WINNERS.

FASTEST TIMES

PRELIMINARY EVENTS. 100Yds school boys’ race—Jack Cameron (Richmond) 1. M. Binna (Richmond) 2, T. Joseph (Addington) 3. Time ~l3sec. 2'2oA‘<ls schoolboys—Alan Rae 1. Arthur Tidetnan 2. R. Freeman 3. Time—23 1-3 sec. One mile cycle race, primary schoolboys— Nerill 1, Gudsell 2. N. M'Kenzie 3. Novelty race—E. Fox 1, Yeatman 2, AV. Leathern 3.

Hrs. Min. Sec. 1S99—G. Metcalf, Temuka, 49min . . 7 40 45 1000 and 1901 (no race). 1902—A. Ralston, t>unedin, scr .... 7 15 0 1003—«■>. Barrow, Palmerston Nort.li, 25min . 7 34 30 10C1—C. G. Smith, Hastings, ‘20m i a . . . (5 19 2 1905—P. M. O'Connor, Cricklewood, 4-3 m in 6 57 0 100G—G. Meharry, Hokitika, 38m in . . . . 6 22 IS 1907 and 1908 (no race). 1909— I*. O'Shea, Christchurch, 4oniin . .7 6 55 1910— W. Arnst, Christchurch, 25mm . . 5 37 45 1911*— G. W. Prebble, Christchurch, 35 m in . .6 0 22 1912— J. Sutherla.nd. Christchurch. in . . 5 3S 312 3 1913— P. O’Shea, Christchurch, sc.- . .5 14 58 1911— F. A. Sutherland, Timaru, 25min . . 6 10 42 1921— A. Sutton, Gisborne, ‘28min . . . G 13 28 4-5 1922— W. Mackie, Christchurch. 40min . . 6 22 3-4 1923 — If. G. W at so n, Christchurch, 34min . G 10 51 * This year the race was from Christchurcli to Tiniaru.

TTrs. Min. Sec. 1893—A. Ralston, Dunedin .7 8 0 1900 and 1901 (no race). 1902— A. Ralston, Dunedin . 7 15 0 1903— J. Arnst, 'Dai Tapu 7 ‘25 0 1901—C. G. Smith, Hastings 6 19 2 1905—P. M. O'Connor, Cricklewood . 6 57 0 190C—H. E. Mehrtcne, Spreydon 6 17 16 1907 and 190S (no race). 1909— A. Birch, Fendalton .6 37 25 1910 — A. B. L. Smith, Christchurch . . 5 30 27 4-5 1911 —1‘. O'Shea, Christchurch . . . 5 37 31 1-5 1912— If. Henderson, Palmerston North . . .5 20 31 1913— P. O'Shea, Christchurch . . . 5 14 53 1914— P. O'Shea, Christchurch . . . . 5 51 33 1921— P. O'Shea, Christchurch . . . 5 48 11 1922— P. O'Shea, Christchurch . . 5 54 23 1923— P. O'Shea, Christchurch . .6 0 50 1-5 1321—D. Wright, Eeofton . 5 48 53