CYCLING NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20219, 1 February 1934, Page 7

CYCLING NOTES.

BY

"WHEEL.”

The Canterbury amateur cycling championships, which were held at English Park last Saturday, were keenly contested by small fields. F. J. and T. A. Grose, wno in recent races have started off the same mark as (3. R. Giles, were in Wellington, and the championships were deprived of a considerable amount of interest through their absence. T. A. Grose was the holder of the one and three miles championships, ancJ it would have added interest to the championships if he had defended his titles. Giles had no serious opposition except in the three miles championship. His performances in the half and one mile events were outstanding, but in the three miles he had serious opposition from E. W. Stevens, whom he defeated by the narrowest of margins. Giles rode with excellent judgment in ail his races, and his- riding showed that he had taken his training seriously. It was an outstanding performance to win all three championships. Stevens lost the three miles race through lack of judgment. If Stevens had left his final sprint until a later stage he would undoubtedly have won. It was a great effort, however, and provided one of the most exciting finishes of the afternoon. Stevens rode well to finish thiid in the one mile championship. J. Campbell is a rider who has shown great improvement during the past few months. He finished second in the one mile championship. This was his first appearance in a big event, and he shaped remarkably well. Campbell should* develop into a first-class performer. R. B. Blakeway rode disappointingly, his only placing being third in the three miles. After being placed in the heat of the half-mile his chances of winning were spoiled through several competitors falling in the final. Blakew.ay.’s track riding appears to lack the dash which characterised it prior to his accident in the championships last season. J. C. Murray won the one-mile junior championship after riding a great race. He defeated the Rangiora rider, S. F. Jones, by a narrow margin. Murray rode with great dash in the half-mile championship, to finish second to Giles. When he began racing early last season, Murray shaped well, and, so far, has fulfilled expectations. The baekmarkers were given no chances in the two handicap events, the k®* l1 ®’ f. ar too big, especially in s?hiA q r^ te v!o m J le ' i Xt is alm °st impos-slLl-to f baekmarkers to give away race tS ° f ovel thlrty yariJ s in a one-lap „ R- R «bertson, who won both races, t l l‘ best. He rode with good judgment and sprinted with the eonRoher'Umf XL i e i cp s riei ; ced competitor. raS 1 ' r Pac ;*, m S kins * n the championship races could have been improved The ShoSJ T 1 l ’ ad plenty of speed, but showed bad judgment in not allowing son^o? 1 ?? rS to plek them pp - J" waTsaHsf h a e cto a ry: S - h ° WeVer - Piping j^ro‘2 gj{ 88ed last Saturday, when he filled sixth place in the five miles event hb? ridln f weU at present, and" his defeat was not surprising. It takes \\ me f *° r hil ? to fit * ba t once beaUpg 1^8 forrn he takes a power of Several Christchurch riders intend nominating for the Blenheim meeting on March 17. The big prize-money offered is sufficient to induce the best cyclists to make the journey. B; Crew, who won the novice race at Aew Brighton last Saturday, has done a fair amount of riding during the past three years, having ridden in the cash novice races and also in open company'. Grew, who has not been showing good rorm lately, is now riding much better. . . • Griffiths, fastest time, has not been ruling well lately, having been defeated lor fastest time honours on several day aSi ° nS rode much better on SaturSo great was the interest taken by the public at the recent New Brighton Carnival in the exhibitions on the home trainer, that the committee requested the club to discontinue the attraction. The committee’s complaint was that th<e trainer was keeping the public away from the stalls! The Sumner Cycling Club will hold a ten-miles road race next Monday, starting from the School for the Deaf, Sumner, at 6.30 p.m. Z’Z 2*2 2*2 The New Brighton Cycling Club will hold a road-race for novice riders on Saturday', February 10, over a course from New Brighton to Wood'end and return. Plntries close on February 8. In connection with the Sydney Centenary Celebrations to be held this year, it is proposed to hold a road race of 50 kilos (about 321 miles). This will be. known as the Mordialloc Grand Prix. and will be held the third week in January next year. The proposed prizemoney is £250, with £IOO for the winner. The course, a hilly and tricky' one, is 1.4 miles round. Opperman declares that it will be as difficult a short course as he has seen anywhere. The race will be restricted to twenty A grade riders, including the Continental riders agoing to Victoria for the Centenary. Inspired by the success of last year’s Tour of Tasmania, J. E. Edwards Is at present Engaged in organising a bigger event. If the present plans are adhered to the race will be over a course of 1071 miles, and will oacupy eleven days. 2*2 2*2 2*2 A promising amateur cyclist, Stan Parsons, defeated the Olympic rider, Duncan Gray, at Sydney recently. Gray, who has racked in Christchurch,' is still riding well, having during the past two weeks won a title event. 2*2 2*2 2*2 Jack Fitzgerald, the Sydney rider who visited Christchurch on two occasions a few years ago, is still riding well at the Canterbury Velodrome, Sydney. He is the best track rider at present in New South Wales. The convenors of the proposed Ama- I teur Cycling Club report that satisfactory progress is being made. A meeting of those interested will be held at an early date. ## PIXTURES. February 10—New Brighton road race. March 1 7—Blenheim sports. Thirteen Mile Race Held at Brighton. The New Brighton Cycling Club held a thirteen-mile road race for novice riders last evening. when fourteen riders faced the starter. B. Crew, A. Sams and A. G. Vincent were on scratch and conceded a limit of ljmin. With half the distance covered the leaders were 50sec in front of the back-markers. Sams had left his co-markers and was with the half-minute men. With three miles and a half to go B. Rice and D. T-Tawlin led by 25sec from Murray. Rondel and Cox. Sams, with five other riders, was lmin ISsec behind the leaders. Rice left Hawtin in the last lap and crossed the line 38sec in front of him. Result: B. Rice (30sec), time 34min 35sec . . 1 D. Hawtin (75sec), time 35min 58sec 2 C. Cox (75sec), time 36min 32sec .. 3 R. Rondel (ISmin). time 37min 3seo 4 W. D. Murray (75sec), time 36min C. Flattery (30sec). time 36min ISsec 6 A. Sams (scr). time 35min 43sec .. 7 Fastest time was registered by B. Rice.