CYCLING

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17780, 25 February 1926, Page 11

CYCLING

ON TRACK AND ROAD

BY

“WHEEL."

FIXTURES. February 27—Paparua road race. February 27—Greymouth sports. February 27—Amateur sports, English Park. March 1 and 2—Kumara sports. March 2—English Park sports. March 3—Hokitika sports. 'March 6—Benefit sports, English Park, 8 p.m. March 6—Amateur championships (afternoon). / March 13—St Patrick's Sports, English Park. March 13 —Amateur road race, Halswell. March IS—Geraldine sports. March 20—Amateur road race, Halswell. March 20 —English Park sports. April s—Kowai sports, Sefton. April s—Waikari sports. April s—Teinuka sports. 35 35 35 The English Park Stadium Company held another very successful sports meeting last Saturday night. The racing was again of a high order and some great finishes were witnessed. The backmarkers did not figure amongst the prize-winners so prominently as at some previous meetings, the front men and middle markers making the most of their handicaps. 35 35 35 The sprint match race between J. Beannan and .T. Henderson provided an interesting feature, and the management should provide more of these in order to educate the local riders in the art of riding match races. Up to the present time the local boys have had practically no opportunity of gaining experience, and in order that they may make a respectable showing against visiting riders, an opportunity of riding in match races should be afforded them. The riding of the amateur riders was not up to standard, and the last of the preliminary heats of the threelaps race was called off, W. Norgate being the only one allowed to start in the final. The final was won by J. Burborough (85), W. Norgate (85) second. Burborough and Norgate have both been riding consistently on the track this season, and arc lucky to be in receipt of such good marks in view of their performances. The second and third class riders were at their best, and registered the fastest times recorded in this class. The final was won by R. (Hunter) Orton (60) in 583-ssec, J. W. R. Jones being second and L. Blyth third. Orton has been riding a great deal this season but without success, and his w«u was well overdue. When in form Ortdn cannot be tfeated too leniently. 35 3? J. W. R. Jones, who only shows his best form at intervals, came out of his shell on Saturday. He performs best over a quarter-mile. C. Blyth, third place, is improving steadily with cv6rv appearance. He ’

sets a solid pace and is rapidly developing a sprint at the useful end, of the race. A surprise was caused in the three laps open handicap by the sensational finish of M. P. Leathern. 11. Burnand led over the last furlong, and it appeared as if he could not be beaten. Leathern, who was following up fast, put in a great finish in the last five yards and crossed the line a few inches in front of Burnand. Le Fevre was a close third. O'Shea and Wells made a great effort to qualify for the final, but from all appearances the former was the fittest man, and he qualified by filling second place to C. L. Burnand (75). Wells was a bad third. The time for this heat was very fast, lmin 33sec. Alec Ritchie rode the best race in the fourth heat, but could not pick up Leathern and Weir, who dead-heated for first place. Hector Barnand appears to be at the top of his form at present and won his heat in great style. He apparently treated his opponents too easily in the final and was defeated. 25 24 35 The pacemakers having only just finished riding in the final of the three laps handicap, were not at their best for the one mile scratch race, consequently the time was not so fast as usual, being 2min 6 2-ssec. O’Shea had little difficulty in securing a win from Carey, Wells finishing a close third. The riders kept well together, O’Shea, Wells and Carey having the pick of positions at the front near the pacemakers. Henderson attempted a long sprint in the final lap, but was soon replaced by the placed trio. After the race Henderson entered a protest against O’Shea on the grounds that the latter failed to keep down on the pick on the back straight. The judicial committee went into the matter and O’Shea was fined £1 for the ' offence. That road racing still commands a big following was evidenced on Tuesday night, when a thirteen mile road race was conducted by the Mairehau Sports Club. Thirty riders started, a small percentage of them being members of the Mairehau Amateur Cycling Club, who rode on condition that they took trophies for their prizes. A. Leathern was on virtual scratch, . giving away a limit of nearly four minutes. lie found a gap of twenty seconds too much for him, and lost ground on the one minute men. The finish was spectacular and highly satisfactory to the handicappers, twelve riders crossing the line almost together. E. Marra won from an ex-mem-ber of the Christchurch T F. Hill, with A. J. Archer third and C. L. Burnand fourth. C. L. Burnand rode the distance in the fastest time. He has shown wonderful improvement in his form dur- i

ing the past two months and is now practically as fast as his brother Hec-

E. Marra had not done much racfcig for a few weeks and it was rather surprising to see him figuring in a road race. He was on a good mark and made full use of his handicap.

The Paparua Cycling Club will hold a fifteen mile road race at Islington on Saturday afternoon starting at 2.30 p.m. The sum of £7 has been allocated as prize money, the winner to receive £3 5s and the fastest time rider £l. Any New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union amateur competing and winning a prize will receive an order to the value of the prize won. Entries close with P. C. Lucas to-day.

Peter Hill and George Goodall, two well known riders who had temporarily retired, have decided to commence racing again. They will both strip off next Saturday week for the benefit sports meeting to be conducted by the centre. Both Hill and Goodall have signified their intention of giving any prize won by them to the funds. X « a

Harris Horder, the Autralian sprinter, who has met and defeated the world’s best, arrived in Christchurch on Sunday from Auckland. Horder has had some training spins on the track at the stadium and from his appearance when stripped he should give a good account of himself. His action when on his machine is that of a born cyclist and he appears to be part of the machine itself. He will race on Tuesday next in the two-laps handicap race and the five miles scratch race, but the piece de resistance of the programme is a match race with Phil O’Shea, the Dominion champion.

H. W. Nesbitt was discharged from the hospital last Thursday, but is still far from well. He says he cannot speak too highly of the treatment meted out to him by Sister Jones and the staff of Ward 7 of the Christchurch Hospital. Nesbitt also states that during his twenty-five years’ racing he has never been cut about so much as in the accident at Christchurch. He expects to leave for Australia on March 5. The Mairehau Sports Club suffered another disappointment last night owing to the postponement of the sports on account of the weather. The full programme will be carried out to-night weather permitting. J. Beaiman and M. Fitzgerald who will meet in a threedistance match race, are a very evenly matched pair and it will not be surprising to see the race go to three distances before a decision is arrived at. The Mairehau Amateur Cycling Club, whose membeiship is steadily increasing, will hold a nine-mile road race on Thursday evening next. Road races have been held wekely for some months. a a ss Derry’s private band has written to the president of the North Canterbury Centre offering its services free for the benefit sports meeting to be held at the Stadium on Saturday week. This ' generous sporting offer is highly appreciated.