CYCLING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 146, 23 June 1931, Page 4

CYCLING

WANGANUI CLUB ROAD CYCLISTS’ RACE Thu Wanganui Amateur Road Cycling Club held their fourth race of the season on {Saturday under perfect weather conditions, a fair held lining up to be despatched by the starter. The winners came from the limit bunch, the back-markers making little impression on the rest of the held. At. 2.30 p.m. the first bunch, consisting of DavicSn, Couch man, Olsen, Hewgill, started on their journey. The rest of the riders left at intervals in the following order: Cave and Renshaw together, Madder on his own, followed by Anderson, also solo. Next came Alp and Grossweil, followed by Constantine, Smith and Miller and finally Stewart, riding solo. Changes occurred early. Davidson and Couchman made a fast pace over the opening stages and dropped Olsen about two miles out on the Marybank Hill. {Stewart, riding strongly, soon overhauled the bunch ahead of him and was practically assured of fastest time honours. Alp and Cresswell forced the pace for the first three miles and were leading for fastest time just out of Kaitoke. At this stage Alp withdrew, leaving Cresswell on his own. Ascending Marangai Hill, Cave left Renshaw, and set out after the leading bunch. Davidson and Couch man were the first to turn, followed closely by Hewgill. Then camo Anderson and Cave, each riding solo. Renshaw and Madder were the next, and finally came a large bunch, Constantine, Smith. Stewart, Miller and Grossweil, pedalling easily. Smith had the misfortune to fall on the turn but was soon going again ami was back with his co markers.

At this stage it was obvious that the leading pair, Davidson and Couchman, could not possibly be headed and the back-markers had no chance of picking them up. The home journey was fast, a good breeze enabling the riders to make a lively pace. The leaders rode strongly, notably Davidson, who fin-

ished alone, ten seconds ahead of Couchman, with Hewgill in third position, Cave being close up, fourth. Some time later the back-markers came by, and in a fast sprint Smith easily accounted for tho opposition, with Stewart and Aliller next. Then camo Cresswell. Stewart obtained fastest time, with Smith and Aliller next in th t order. Final placings and times were as follow: Davidson (smin.), 39min. 3 4-ssce. .1 Couchman (smin.), 39min. .14 3-ssee. 2 Hewgill (smin.), 41min. 35scc. . . 3 Cave (3min.), 39inin. 52see 4 Fastest times were as follows: Stewart (scr.), 36min. 57scc I Smith (15sec), 37min. Usee 2 Aliller (15scc), 37min, 13scc 3 Also started: Anderson, Aladder, Cresswell, Renshaw, Constantine, Alp, Olsen. From the foregoing it will be observed that Davidson and Couchman finished more than two minutes ahead of the scratch bunch. For their first appearance this must be accounted a really good performance. The former rider rode impressively and did most of the pacing, leaving his co-markcr about a mile from home and finishing alone. Couchman also rode an excellent race. With training he should develop into a good rider. Hewgill showed marked improvement on the previous Saturday. This was obviously brought about by stricter attention to training since the last race. Cave impressed greatly with his pedalling, especially in the hill country. Other riders should try to emulate his example and pedal correctly. Stewart deserved his fastest time, as he had to work hard at the start of the race. Smith showed improved form and should be back on the soratch mark with Stewart in the next race. Aliller rode disappointingly. He is evidently over-trained and a short rest would remedy this. Constantine worked well throughout the journey, but had to withdraw a couple of miles from home, feeliug the effects of his ride. Cresswell was unfortunate in losing hi s eomarker early in the race. However, he mad' a hot pace ou the home run and helped his bunch considerably. Alp has uot produced his form of last season as yet. With the bigger races approaching, however, he should be heard of soon. With regard to pedalling it may be stated that there are very few riders hero who can pedal correctly. Cave has perhaps the best action. He has obviously mastered the art. Alp, Aladder and Constantine are another trio of good “anklers. ” The first-named rider pushes probably the smallest gear on the road this year. It is on the hills that the pedaller shines out every time. He just sits there and twirls his gear with a machine like action, tirelessly and effectively. The man who cannot pedal rises off his saddle and has to throw all his weight into his work to keep the machine from stopping and running backwards. A club run will bo held on Sunday next, commencing from the Royal Hotel at .10 a.m. All riders are ro quested to be in attend ance. The next race will be two laps of the Kaimatira Block (18 miles).