CYCLING CLASSIC.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 234, 2 October 1931, Page 8

CYCLING CLASSIC.

Waimate-Christchurch Race To-morrow. CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT. The New Zealand road cycling championship will be decided to-morrow. The course will be over the main road between Waimate and Christchurch, the distance being 145 miles. Ninetyfour riders have entered for the rhce. Among them are many of the most prominent cyclists in New' Zealand. The scratch men include the present title-holder, 11. G. Watson (Marshland), L. W. Hill (New Brighton), W. J. Lamberton (Christchurch), R. S. Weir (Riccarton), H. J. Crofts (Christchurch), W. K. Weir (Riccarton) and G. Mugford (Aylesbury). The w'inner of last year's Round the Mountain race, C. W. Preen, of Dunedin, is also among the entrants, who are representative of the West Coast, Taranaki, Marlborough, Otago and Canterbury. During the years 1899 to 1929 the championship was held over the Timaru to Christchurch course, but last year an extension was made, Waimate becoming the starting point. The race last year drew seventy riders and the increase of twenty-four this year indicates that the longer journey is in favour. Watson, in winning the championship last year, made the time of 6hr 23min 42sec, and no doubt will be out to better this performance. In that he will encounter strong opposition, and it is anticipated that the race between the scratch riders will be full of interest