CYCLING NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 643, 22 December 1932, Page 8

CYCLING NOTES.

(By “WHEEL.”)

fixtures. December 24—English Park Sports (afternoon and night). December 26—Halswell sports. December 26—Doyleston sports. December 26—Oxford sports. December 26—Waimate sports. January 2—Dunsandel sports. January 7—Killinchy road race. The Cheviot Sports Club received good entries for the annual sports which were held on Saturday last. The majority of the riders did not feel comfortable on. the track, the turn into the final straight giving a great deal of trouble. Good times were registered throughout the meeting. The threemile handicap was ridden in very fast time, 6min 54sec, by L. W. Hill from scratch. The five-mile Canterbury Championship was also a fine race. The riders deserve great credit for the manner in which they rode. Lap money or pacemakers were not provided, yet every rider did his bit, and the race was ridden in the excellent time of 12min 50sec. J. G. Stack, of Ivaikoura, was in good form, although he struck more than his share of spills. On his riding throughout the day he would have proved troublesome to Jordan in the championship. His chances, however, were spoiled by a spill. S. A. Jordan created a surprise when he won the five-mile Canterbury Track Championship in a convincing manner. Throughout the day Jordan was prominent. He has been racing several years with a fair amount of success. The racing at English Park on the opening night was excellent. From the first race the riders settled down to give the public value for their money. Although the track was dead, owing to the newness, fast times were recorded in all events. Considering that competitors had very little opportunity of getting used to the banking, they readily adapted themselves to the new conditions. When the surface is smooth great performances may be expected. Although there were several spills, the track was not altogether to blame for them. The big one was caused by the bumping in the final dash for the line in the one-mile handicap. The officials carried out their duties in a creditable manner. Special mention is made of the starter, Mr Jack Atkinson, who dispatched his fields promptly. T. E. O’Brien proved himself to be one of the best track riders who have competed at the park. Pie put plenty of dash into his work, and thoroughly deserved the reception he received from the spectators. Although L. W. Hill rode well he did not display his usual dash. I. Sutherland, the winner of the one mile handicap, a boy of seventeen years, proved that he will be a good track performer. He lias plenty of speed and with more experience he should develop into a rider above the average. J. R. I’Anson, second place, is now picking up form and should be up to championship form in the near future. I’Anson would have been hard to beat if a bad spill had not occurred in this 1 a W. K. Weir caused a surprise by running into second place in the three miles scratch race. He has been showing very indifferent form lately, but is improving with every appearance. The motor-paced racing was not the success that was anticipated. The riders have not settled down to this class of racing. The riders only reached slightly in excess of thirty miles per hour. With a little more practice and experience a much higher speed should be reached, which will ad.d more interest to the events. Amateur riders did not support the Omihi sports, which were held at Waipara on Saturday, only three riders making the trip. The expense of getting to country meetings some distance from the city is a serious obstacle to the majority of riders at the present time. Frank Grose rode well from the scratch mark to win the one mile handicap. The Killinchy Cycling Club will hold a road ;-acc on the evening of January 7. Full particulars will be announced later. Entries for the Oxford and Doyleston sports are not so big as usual, but a good class of riders is visiting each place. The back-markers at Oxford are J. G. Slack, R. S. Weir and L. Pither, and at Doyleston the scratch mark will be. occupied by H. J. Crofts and W. K. Weir. The racing at both Oxford and Doyleston should be up to the usual high standard. A splendid programme has been arranged for next Saturday afternoon and evening, when a big cycling and athletic carnival will take place at English Park. The cycling events are as follows: —Quarter, half and one mile handicaps, three-quarter-mile Derby handicap, five miles scratch and motor-paced race, schoolboys’ race, women’s cycle race, and a two-lap race for Chinese. The afternoon programme will start at 2.30 p.m. Entries will be taken up to tonight by Mr P. C. Lucas. W. J. Lamberton, who was seriously injured last week in Sydney in a motor accident, is progressing favourably. Further news is expected in a day or