CYCLING NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 109, 11 May 1938, Page 9

CYCLING NOTES

WANGANUI AMATEURS FIRST ROAD RACE OF SEASON On Saturday the Wanganui Amateur Road Cycling Club commenced the 1938 season with a 9-mile race, this being one lap of the Kaimatira Block. Light rain fell just before the start, which made the course wet and muddy. The surprise of the race was the feat of a new rider, Cox (3min.), who rode a very good race into first place. I. Danielson, off scratch, gained fastest time of 23min. 26sec., less than Imin. off the record. This was exceptionally good time and had the course been dry he would probably have broken the record for the course, which stands at 22min. 36sec., held by J. Wade. The riders left the start at intervals, and by the time the half-way mark was reached Cox and Gestro had caught Kennedy. All three were riding well and holding their load. A minute later came Foley, Neverman, Sulivan, and McCormick. Close on their trail came the 45sec. bunch, who were riding well and making the pace a cracker. Not far behind came Danielson and Davidson, both off scratch. They had j burnt off their co-markers earlier in the race. Just before reaching Gordon Park, Neverman and McCormick droppea off, finding the pace set by Sullivan and Foley too fast. At this stage the 45sec. bunch were riding well, and a little further on they picked up Sullivan and Foley. However Cox, Kennedy and Gestro held their lead a finished with a good margin. In the sprint Cox proved superior to the other two, and crossed the line to win by a length, with half a length between second and third, Kennedy and Gestro respectively. Fourth place went to Chalk, wno easily outsprinted his co-markers. He was followed closely by Beswarick (fifth), Dearsly (sixth), and Hansen (seventh). Danielson proved to be the best scratch man and beat Davidson foi time by one-fifth of a second. The winner, Cox, rode a very good race for a novice, and by his time he shows the makings of a good rider. Kennedy, a second year rider, rode a good race, but should practise sprinting. Gestro rode very well for a new rider and he also should go far. His sprint is not as good as it might be and he should do his training on a I low gear. I .... j J. Chalk’s experience as a track 'rider ranks him as one of the club’s ! best sprinters. He anef 'his co-mark-i ers, Beswarick, Dearsly and Hansen, I made a splendid team. Davidson and Danielson rode suprisingly well and their team-work was very good. Anderson and Jeromsen (scratch) . were off colour, and were burnt off at the Aramoho Bridge. It was probably due to lack oi training. Neverman j and McCormick found the going too hard. Lack of. training was their excuse also. W.'Bidwell was burnt off a mile past the bridge, probably due to the fact that he was riding a strange machine. In his usual sporting manner he had lent his own cycle to Hansen, who had decided to ride at the last minute. The club is pleased to welcome back to the game Hansen and Sullivan. Hansen did not ride last season, and Sullivan, owing to having an operation, was forced to resign early last season. The race, on the whole, proved to i be a thrilling one from a specieL *r s! point of view and a hard and muddy one for the riders. * The next race will be out to the! Union Line and return, with the start 1 at the Red Lion Inn and fint-'h at the City Boundary. As the road is tar-i sealed all the way it is probable that good times will be recorded and spectators should again be provided with plenty of thrills.