ROAD CYCLING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 114, 17 May 1939, Page 4

ROAD CYCLING

Wanganui Amateurs’ 12-mile Race SATURDAY’S EVENT DANIELSON’S DUAL SUCCESS The Wanganui Amateur Road Cycling Club held a twelve mile race on Saturday. Riders started at the southern end of the Town Bridge to continue out No. 1 Line to the Union Line and return to finish at the Putiki boundary. The race was held under almost ideal conditions with just a slight westerly wind prevailing. Giving away a handicap up to six minutes, the scratch riders, 1. Danielson, G. Broadbent, W. Beswarick, W. Pidwell and R. Dearsley, rode a successful race. Catching the entire field, the first three mentioned gained first, second and third places and fastest times respectively. * * # * I. Danielson differed from many critics' remarks of his being a poor sprinter when he outsprinted G. Broadbent and W. Beswarick, who are considered two of the best sprinters in the club, and. gained first place and fastest time. It is probable that his victory was due to the fact that, working his co-markers so hard during the race, he had them at his mercy at the finish. General opinion was voiced that the scratch men would “go right through." But for an unforeseen mishap to G. Harrison off a handicap of three minutes their success would not have been such an easy task. G. Harrison, P. Elliot, L.’ Neverman and C. Jordan were the first riders to reach the turn, 50sec. ahead of the scratch riders. In turning Harrison skidded in loose gravel, causing him to fall and thus hindering his co- | markers, who rode several miles at | a slow pace in the hope that he would j catch on again. | It was this incident which caused their downfall, although the scratch i riders did not catch them until a quarter of a mile from home. L. Farrell proved he is a game rider. Although he has not met with much success up to the present, some surprises arc expected of him in the near future. H. Taylor is riding very consistently but in his present position finds it hard to gain a place. ;i< * * * F. Clinton, who rode his first race of the season, found the pace too fast for him, but if he upholds the suc- ' cesses he obtained in track racing, he I will need watching in future events. J. Jeromson, who also appeared for the first time this season, hopes to retain his form of two seasons ago, when he was a much-feared middle-marker. G. Harrison, P. Elliot, L. Neverman, and C. Jordan showed good teamwork, riding very creditable races to I keep away from the scratch men. If ; other riders rode in this manner they would stand a better chance of gaining a position in the Wanganui team to compete in the Hope Gibbons Shield. Harrison and others riders would be well advised, to keep on the hardsurfaced roads when turning and not ride in t 1 o -hingle. Turning at such a pace causes the front wheel to slide. * * * * F. Brown rode another good race, ( gaining fourth fastest time from i scratch. This was his first experience I of racing with scratch riders.