CYCLING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 189, 12 August 1931, Page 4

CYCLING

—(B\)

'VETERAN:') 1

During the past month the Wanganui Amateur Road Cycling Club promoted two very successful road races. The first resulted as follows: G. Constantino 1, E. Stewart 2, W. Smith 3, A. Olsen 4. Fastest times E. Stewart 1, G. Constantine 2, W. Smith 3. This race, over a distance '‘of 20 miles, was excellently handicapped, practically ’all of the riders finishing in a bunch. Stewart led out the sprint, but Constantine had his measure and came out with a strong burst of speed, a few yards from homo, securing the verdict by a wheel —a well-judged effort. Smith was next, followed ’cloudy by Olson and then the rest of the field in a bunch. Unfortunately, the race was marred by a spill about five miles from home when Alp and Renshaw crashed, bringing Hodson and Cresswell down over them. This was unlucky for the riders concerned, who were in a good position at the time of the mishap. However, all escaped with minor abrasions and were able to ride their machines over the remainder of the course. The next race, scheduled to be held a fortnight later, was postponed, owing to the bad weather and was held last week. This provided another interesting contest and resulted as fol- - A. Olsen (6|min) 1, R. Springer (6|min) 2, C. Madder (4|min) 3, J. IT. Alp (2min) 4. Fastest time: J. Alp (2min), 59min. lOsec 1, C. Madder (4j min), 59min 28 l-ssec 2, R. Hodson (2min), 60min 14 l-ssec 3. The weather conditions were ideal, there being a clear sky and very little wind blowing at. the start of the race. However, the wind camo up during the progress of the contest and riders had to contend with a fairly strong breeze on the home run. The 'course was on circuit of the Kaimatira Block and then out to the six mile peg, where riders turned ami camp back, finishing near the Braeburn Hotel. The limit men—Olsen, Springer and Hewgill—were despatched at 2.30 p.m., followed by Anderson, on his own. Then came Cave and Madder. Next to leave were Hodson, Alp and Crosswell, followed shortly by Smith and Constantino, and finally Stewart. All bunches picked up on the bunches ahead of them and at the turn the order was as follows; Olsen, Springer and Madder together, followed by Cave and then a short distance back camo Hewgill. Next to turn were Hodson, Alp and Cresswoll, and finaPy Stcwarr, riding soln. Prior to this Constantine had shed his chain when approaching Marangai Hill and fell, bringing down Smith. Both riders escaped lightly, although their machines were wrecked. On the homo run the leaders still held their own, but the stragglers were being picked up by the 2-minute hunch, who were making a lively pace. First to be overhauled was Hewgill, and passing through Kaitoke, Cave joined them. A mile from home Alp sprang a surprise by unwinding a powerful spring and leaving his bunvh, finally settling down in earnest. First to finish was Olsen, who sprinted Springer for premier place, with Madder filling third position. Next carne Alp, on his own, riding strongly, followed a minute later by his co-markers, Hodson and Grossweil. Hodson unwound a solid sprint and beat Cresswell by half a length. Fastest time honours were fairly evenly contested, Alp securing the verdict from Madder with Hodson securing third fastest. A few notes on the riders may be of interest. Arthur Olsen’s win did not. come amiss. This rider has trained consistently and will take some watching in the races ahead. Reg. Springer, club captain, secured second place. This is only his third start this season, but although getting on in years, as far as cyclists go, he can still show the younger riders the way home. Edgar Madder’s performance was meritorious, for besides filling third places, he secured second fastest time. He is riding well just now and if he keeps fit will land a race before the season closes. Jim Alp came to light at last and obtained fastest time. He will be a hard man to beat now that the longer races are approaching. Ted Stewart has been riding extremely well so far this season, having secured fastest time honours very consistently. G. Constantine showed excellent form in annexing the 20-mile event, and unwound a good sprint at the finish. Reg. Hodson is improving with every ride and when ho is properly fit will be a tough man to head off. Bill Smith is riding consistently and is improving rapidly, due, no doubt, to persistence in training. With the big races near at hand, all riders are urged to keep in good condition. Wanganui’s hopes are very high this year and it behoves every rider to do his best in the WanganuiPalmerston road classic this season. Last season several local riders distinguished themselves and it would be acceptable to see a WangAnui man annex the trophy for first place. A club run will be held under the supervision of Reg. Springer next Sunday morning. Amateur cycling in Victoria, under Union rules, continues to boom. The season now in progress promises to be not only a record-breaking one, bu' therm st momentous since the formation «'f the governing body. Never before has such an elaborate programme been mapped out. Following on the recent Malvern Star Melbourne to Bendigo race of 70 miles, longer events are listed, notably the Ixion Bendigo to Melbourne, of approximately 100 miles; the South Melbourne open 90-miler; the Camperdown to Melbourne (116 miles) —the longest race of the season—the Melbourne to Wonthaggi; the Ballarat-Gee-long-Melbourne event, and the much-looked-for Colac to Melbourne 100 staged bv the Dunlop Perdriau Rubber Co. It is small wonder, therefore, that the officials of the Victorian Amateur Cyclists’ Union arc in such good spirits. With the Australian senior and junior unpaced road championships to be held in Adelaide this month, riders are naturally using every opportunity to get fit. Each open race enables them to disnlav their form to the selectors.