BRILLIANT CYCLISTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 63, 14 March 1936, Page 4

BRILLIANT CYCLISTS

SUCCESS AT WANGANUI CANTERBURY DOES WELL. G. R. GILES PERFORMANCE. The Canterbury cycling team carried off practically all the honours at the national amateur cycling championships at Wanganui a fortnight ago, comments the Christchurch Press. The outstanding rider at the meeting was G. K. Giles, Canterbury’s brilliant sprint champion, who won al] the senior championships and recorded brilliant, times, which must greatly strengthen Iris claims to inclusion in the New Zealand Olympic team next August. F. J. Grose, former New Zealand champion, and ID. R. Edwards, Canterbury’s lead-i ing junior cyclist, were also prominent.’ I'he meeting has been described as the most successful in the history of amateur cycling in New Zealand. The track at Cooks Gardens where the racing was held, was in excellent, order, and all New Zealand’s leading cyclists were there. There were three open championship events, in all of which the Canterbury riders were dominant. Easily the best performance at the meeting was the ride with which G. It. Giles won the 1009 metres sprint from •I. H. Wade, Wanganui. Wade, who has been regarded for several years as the leading sprinter, jumped ahead of Giles and opened up a gap of four lengths about 260 yards from home. H appeared obvious that Wade would win but sheer strength enabled Giles noi only to overtake him, but to pass him and win comfortably by two lengths. His time, 12 2-ssec., on* the last °220 yards, was equal to international standard. It is calculated, in fact, that he actually covered the distance in 12 I sseu., as lhe clocks were .set off when Wade passed the 220 yards mark still in front of him. Olympic Claims. On this performance alone Gi'ea would be entitled to consideration for the Olympic. Games team, but he has also ridden the quarter-mile from a‘ standing start in 30 l-ssec., and has re corded Iniin. 17 3-ssec. for the 1000 metres time trial. He is certainly the finest sprinter New Zealand has ' seen in years. !•’. .1. Grose, the popular Canterbury '•yi list, who has ridden at New Zealau'd championships for many years, was associated with Giles in several events, and rode a partictilarlv good race in the IO miles, in which he finished second to Giles. The Auckland veteran, M. P. Byrnes, was also prominent, 'lhe Auckland team was a strong one and did particularly well. It included L. H. Dwight, easily the most improved rider at the. meeting, K. Taylor, and C. T. Dwight, the Auckland junior champion. Canterbury’s junior champion, ID. 11. Kdwards, rode prominently ami at traded much attention in handicap events, but he was unlucky in the championship. In his heat he was bumped and jostled out of a position. Mr. C. 1). Doyle, president of the Canterbury Amateur Cycling Centre, had nothing but praise to offer for the conduct of the meeting. He said that the success of the organisation reflected greatly to tho credit of the West Coast. North Island Centre and particularly the Wanganui Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, which was responsible fur the meeting.