CYCLING NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20503, 3 January 1935, Page 11

CYCLING NOTES.

(By

“WHEEL."

The jubilee sports meeting held by the South Canterbury Caledonian Society at Timaru on New Year’s Day was a great success. Several Christchurch riders took part in the cycling events and collected the bulk of the prize-money. The backmarkers—W. Good, R. S. Weir, L. G. Thomas and W. R: Willmott —were set big tasks and in several instances were unable to catch the men on the long marks. As the heats were ridden in fast times the backmarkers would have had to break track records to quality for the finals. This was particularly noticeable in the first heat of the mile and a half, in which R. S. Weir (scr) was second in 3min 9 3-ssec. The final of the two mile handicap was won off the 260yds mark in 4min 5 3-ssec. To win these events the scratch men would have had to break world records. The one mile South Island track championship was not a success. In each of the two heats riders who started off big marks in the handicap events were allowed by the other competitors to open up a big gap. the pace being put on in the final lap. The refei'ee should have dealt with the offenders, as they made no attempt to catch the leaders. Although he did some hard riding, W. Good failed to get a place in any of the handicap events, his only success being his popular win in the one mile South Island championship. Ron Weir deserved greater success for he showed his best form. He rode with great determination and can blame the handicappor for his failure in the handicaps. Weir rode well at the Oamaru meeting on the previous Saturday, when he won two events from strong fields. L. Pither, with three places, showed that he can .still unwind a fair turn of speed. Had he used more judgment in the final laps he would probably have collected more prize money. Pither was the most successful rider at the meeting. After riding at several track meetings, K. Wilkie proved his worth in no uncertain manner by winning the big money in the two mile jubilee wheel race and also by gaining second place in the final handicap. W. Blackburn, who was a well-known, figure on the track a few years ego, is staging a successful come-back. Although he only gained a second place, he showed that he possessed a fair turn of speed. C. Bright generally manages to win the short distance events. With a liberal start, he again accounted for the first race on the programme. Bright appears to lack staying power in the longer races. Riding from a hard mark, L. G. Thomas performed brilliantly and thoroughly deserved his win in the one and a half mile and his third in the first three-quarter mile handicap. At the Tifnaru re-union for former athletes several prominent old-time cyclists were present. Among those acting as officials were Dick Arnst, A. B. L. (” Smiler ”) Smith, Phil O’Shea, Ralph an Hall. Harry Watson, the Victorian Centenary Thousand rider, although riding well, did not meet with a great deal of success at Timaru. He showed that lie had plenty of speed, but his work lacked the dash for a successful finish. F. J. Grose had a good day at the Springfield sports la«st Saturday. He won two events and finished third in another. Giving away big starts in the two-mile handicap Grose made up his ground to win fairly comfortably. By filling three places J. Campbell (scr) showed hifhself to be a muchimproved performer. H. G. Green rode well, and won two first places in the handicap events. He received liber il treatment from the handicapper, and made full use of his starts. E. W. Rogers also rode well. He had a good start, and, teaming with Green, made full use of his starts. With a little more tr&ck experience Rogers should hold his own with the beet. The result of the racing at Springfield was fairly satisfactory from the handicapper’s point of view. The backmarkers won a good number of the prizes. R. B. Blakeway, who did not appear to be at his best, was beaten by his comarkers in all events. When riding well Blakeway is capable of holding his H. J. Sml ther showed exceptionally fine form at the Dunsandel meeting. He won three events—the one and two-mile handicaps and also the three-mile Canterbury championship. He also finished third in the five-mile handicap. Smither is undoubtedly one of the best riders at present competing. He could hold his own with the Dominion’s best. The five-mile handicap at Dunsandel was one of the finest races seen on the track. The backmarkers made the pace a cracker from start to finish. A. G. Mackie. who competed as a late entry, rode well. His last performance was in the five-mile handicap, which he Spence Weir did not ride as well as anticipated. He found Smither too good for him in the championship. Two cash sweepstake track races will fie held at the Papanui Domain on MonRiders who wish to keep fit for P ilie Easter meetings should take advantage of these races. FIXTURES. Cash. January 11 —Track sweepstake races, Amateur. January 9—Track races, Papanui. January 14—Track races, Papanui.