CYCLING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 241, 11 October 1937, Page 5

CYCLING

BIG ROAD RACE PALMERSTON NORTH TO WELLINGTON NEW PLYMOUTH WINNER 17-YEAR-OLD RH4ER. [ Per Press Association. J WELLINGTON, Oct. 10. Riding steadily from the outset, P. C. Snowden, a 17-year-old New Plymouth rider, won the Palmerston North-to-Wellington 100-mile professional cycling race yesterday. Snowden, whose brother won the race two years ago, was riding in his first big event. The two scratch men were 11. Watson (Marshlands) and L. G. Fleming (Christchurch). It had been hoped they would cover the distance within four hours. The conditions were unfavourable, however, and the luck was against Watson. He started strongly and was steadily reducing his handicap when he punctured near Foxton. After mending the puncture he continued, Dishing ninth and securing fourth fastest time. Fleming did not last the distance. Fastest time registered was shr. 6min. by W. Pratney (Auckland), who started from the 8-minute mark and filled second place. R. Craig (New Plymouth), also on the 8-minute mark, finished third and registered second fastest time. The first 10 to finish and their times were:— P. Snowden (New Plymouth) shr. 27m in 1 W. Pratney (Auckland) shr. 6m!n. 2 R. Craig (New Plymouth) shr. 6min. 21 2-ssec 3 G. Stavely (Wellington) shr. 30min. 30sec 4 H. Bayley (New Plymouth) shr. Bmin. 30 l-ssec. . 5 A. Wright (Wellington) shr. 37min. 15sec 6 P. Wisnewski (New Plymouth) shr. 37min. Issec 7 R. Greenlees (Waitotara) shr. 27min 8 H. Watson (Marshlands) shr. 15min o L. Carr (Ashburton) shr. 28min. lOsec 10 It was anybody's race till the Paekakariki Hill was reached. Here Snowden took the lead from Stavely, Wisnewski, Drinkwater and Wright. From the foot of the hill on the Wellington side it became a struggle between Snowden and Stavely, who had drawn away from the others. Snowden did not shake off Stavely till after leaving Porirua.