CYCLING NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20539, 14 February 1935, Page 13

CYCLING NOTES.

(By “ WHEEL. 1 ’! |

The amateur cycling championships at Timaru last Saturday provided keen contests and good times were recorded. G. R. Giles proved his worth in no uncertain manner by winning the one mile and three-mile championships, also the 1000-metre time trial. Giles rode with great dash and finished with welljudged sprints. His performances rank him as the best amateur cyclist in the Dominion. There were few spills, the racing being clear of foul tactics. J. C. Murray was unfortunate in spilling early in the day and damaging his machine. As he was unable to effect repairs he was compelled to retire for the remainder of the meeting. Up to the time of liis spill Murray was riding well and would no doubt have finished close up in the title The meeting of Grose and Giles had been eagerly looked forward to by followers of cycling for some time, the general opinion being that Giles was the better man. The races for the finishing line between these two were worth going a long way to see. The finish of the ten-mile event was a thriller, both riders riding flat out to win. Grose had nearly a length's lead on Giles at the entrance to the straight, but, in spite of putting every ounce into it, Giles could not head off the Dominion representative. In the two-mile handicap Grose beat Giles decisively, finishing in second place, with Giles third. On his performances Giles should start a strong favourite for Dominion championship honours. Although Frank Grose was beaten in three out of the four title events, he cannot be treated lightly, as he lost the races by narrow margins. Jt is on the cards that he will turn the tables at the New Zealand championships. P. Norrell, the one mile junior trackchampion, is without doubt the most promising junior at present competing. He is a trier from start to finish and has mastered the art of track riding. Norrell showed a rare turn of speed when he defeated Grose and Giles in the final sprint of the two-mile handicap. He also" filled third place in the half-mile handicap and was first equal in the one mile handicap. A. J. Lancaster, one of the best handicap riders in the amateur ranks, deadheated with Norrell in the one mile handicap. He did not show good form in the title events. R. Brown was the best rider amongst the long-markers. He was second to Norrell in the junior championship and finished third in the one mile handicap. Brown rides a good race and improves with every appearance. E. W. Stevens, with a third place in the one mile handicap, rode gamely, but was not class enough for Giles and (.rose. He does not appear to be riding as well as he did in past seasons. J. Campbell, third place in the onemile championship, deserves greater success. This young performer rides gamely. He is a greatly improved rider, and it.should not be long before he reaches championship form. R. B. Blakeway was decidedly off form, and at no time did he appear like winning. A few weeks ago Blakeway was riding well and looked like winning championship honours.

The following are the times registered by the competitors in the 1000-metres time trial:—G. R. Giles lmin 18 4-6 sec, F. J. Grose lmin 19sec, E. W. Stevens lmin 19 3-ssec, J. C. Murray lmin 20 4-5 sec, M. Drake lmin 21sec. R. B. Blakeway lmin 22 3-ssec, J. Campbell lmin 23sec, A. S. Shulz lmin 23 3-ssec, L. Hunt lmin 24 l-ssec, A. N. Shulz lmin 24 2-ssec, F. Jones lmin 25 4-ssec, H. G. Green lmin 29sec. The ten-mile championship was ridden in the fast time of 22min 17sec. The following are the times for the individual miles:—First mile, 2min IRsec; second, 2min 17sec; third, 2min 15»ec; fourth, 2min 20see; fifth, 2min 3see; seventh, 2min 13sec; eighth, 2min 11 sec; ninth, 2min 14sec; tenth, 2min llsec. The six scratch men in the six miles novice road race at Marshland last Thursday were unable to catch the riders on the long marks, and T. Lancaster, the first scratch man to finish', crossed the line over a minute behind the winner, L. B. Carr (2imln). Carr has had a considerable amount of racing experience, having competed in several races during the past two seasons. He had little difficulty in defeating his co-marker, A. M’Mlllan. What is the definition of a novice rider? it Is stated that the winner of the recent Marshland novice road race is a registered cash rider, and rode in the Waimate to Christchurch road race in 1933, and also this season’s Oamaru to Christchurch race. If this is true, it is difficult to understand how this rider can be classed as a novice. Riders are reminded that entries for the Blenheim St Patrick’s Day sports cloe on February 23. The cash events to be deeded are as follows:—Half, one, two and three-mile handicaps, the latter event carrying prize money to the value of £22. The sports will be held on March 16. Hubert Turtill, the Greymouth rider, has gone to Western Australia for the remainder of the track season, and will compete in the road events in the winter, A. N. Ralston, of Otago, winner of the Mordialloc Grand Prix, will return to New Zealand shortly, but will visit Australia next season. Len Hill, who is also in Australia, has made no definite arrangements, but it is likely that he will remain there for an extended period. rxZTHBBB. Amateur. February 19—Track races, Papanui. Cash. March 16—St Patrick’s sports, Benheim. April—Cust sports. April—Kowai sports, Sefton. XTovice. February 14—Marshland road race. Spreydon Novice Club to Hold Race. The Spreydon Novice Cycling Club held a meeting last Thursday after its road race. Mr W. J. Palmer was in the chair. Good reports from the secretary regarding the races held and the enrolment of members were received. Messrs W. Clark and L. Woodfleld were elected as patrol stewards. Preparations are

already well under way by the &oct»l Committee for the holding: of a weekly dance and a cycle hike was proposed for Sunday, February 24. Fuller particular* will be advertiaed later. On Thursday a schoolboys' race will be held 6.30 p.m. sharp and a novice race of thirteen miles at 7 p.m., both races starting’ from the corner of Lincoln and I-Loon Hay Roads.