IE L.G. HUGHES, AUCKLAND WINS EMPIRE GAMES CYCLING TIME TRIAL

Wanganui Chronicle, 10 December 1949, Page 6

IE L.G. HUGHES, AUCKLAND WINS EMPIRE GAMES CYCLING TIME TRIAL

The veteran cyclist, E. L. G. Hughes, of Auckland, won the 1000 metre 1 ' time trial at the national British Empire Games preliminary track cycling trials, which began at Cook s Gardens last night. His time of lmin. 18.25ec., was good, considering that competitor.were faced with a strong wind when cycling out of the finishing straight. Hughes, who has won more than 100 championship medals, is one of the most versatile cyclists in the Dominion. He is a former grass track champion and at the New Zealand hard track championships at Cook’ Gardens last March he gained two seconds and one third. Second in the time trial was the national title-holder, L. Locke, of Canterbury, who completed the distance in lmin. 18.45ec., which was .2sec. slower than Hughes’ winning time. Though further trials will be held at Auckland, Hughes and Locke appear certain for selection in this event at the Empire Games.

Third place was secured by the West Coast time trial champion and Wan ganfci cyclist, G. Wakely, who rode strongly to return lmin. 19.1 sec. A young cyclist, judged by national standards, Wakely’s form was most encouraging for future seasons. He has a good chance of Empire Game's representation.

C. Simpson and A. R. McGregor, both of Auckland, were fourth anu lifts respectively. A. W. Stonex (Auckland), New Zealand representative at the world’s championships last year, has lost form and his time wa? lmin. 21.5 sec. Two young riders, P. Murray (Wellington) and G. R. Avery (Auckland) rode quite well to cover the journey in lmin. 20.3 sec. F. Jono • (Wellington) also cycled strongly in the time of lmin. 20.5 sec. A disappointment was the ride of F. Clinton, who took lmin. 21.5 sec. Though would not have finished in the first three it was thought he would have secured a better time. The first round of the 4000 metres was also held. Fastest time of smin. 45.95ec. was made by R. B. Hodkinson (Auckland). N. Vertongen (West Coast) returned smin. 53.75ec., L. Locke, national champion, smin. 59.2 sec., and F. Tredrea, former national 10-mile paced champion, s<min. 57.95ec Because none of the winners were extended by their opponents the chances of the above four cannot be assessed by the times they took for the jour ney. However, a grand ride was produced by the 18-year-old Hodkinson, who lapped R. Hodges (Otago). Locke rode well within himself against L. Crossley (Waikato). N. Verton-gen, the West Coast champion, also rode well to gain an easy win, as did Tredrea. This event should produce some good cycling before the winner is found. The trials will be continued this morning at 10 o’clock with the first round of the 1000 metres sprint. Further events will be held this afternoon, commencing at 2 o’clock. The finals of the 4000 metres pursuit and 1000 metres sprint and the 10-mile unpaced will be decided tonight. Results weye:— 1000 Metres Time Trial. E. L. G. Hughes (Auckland), lmin. 18.2sec._ 1 L. Locke (Canterbury), lmin. J. 8.4 sec.~ 2 G. Wakely (West Coast), lmin. 19.1 sec 3 C. M. Simpson (Auckland), lmin. 19.3 sec„ 4 A. R. McGregor (Auckland), lmin. 19.75ec.; G. R. Avery (Auckland), 1 min. 20.35ec.; P. Murray (Wellington), lmin. 20.35ec.; F. Jones (Wellington), lmin. 20.55ec.; F. Clinton (West Coast), lmin. 21.55ec.; A. W. Stonex (Auckland), lmin. 21.55ec.; C. Dickinson (West Coast), lmin. 22.45ec.; W. Hoffman )Otago), lmin. 23sec.; G. R. 1 Mearns (Waikato), lmin. 23sec.; A Pennington (Wellington), lmin. 23.7 sec.; J. Rogerson (Waikato), lmin. 24 sec.; M. Wylie (Canterbury), lmin. 24.55ec.; R. Hodges (Otago), lmin. 24.8 sec.; S. Polley (Waikato), lmin. 25set; J. Higgins (Waikato), lmin. 2525ec.; I. Bills (Otago), lmin. 25.45ec.; R. Elliott (Canterbury), lmin. 26~.ee.; R. Harris (Canterbury), lmin. 26.1 sec; G Schmelz (Otago), lmin. 26.8 sec. 4000 Metres Individual Pursuit Race. First round: P. Murray (Wellington), smin. 52.95ec. beat G. R. Mearns (Waikato), smin. 58.6 sec. I. Bills (Otago), smin. 58.45ec., beat R. Butcher (West Coast), smin. 58.55ec.. R. B. Hodkinson (Auckland), smm. 45.9 sec., beat R. Hodges (Otago), 6min. 7.7 sec. L. Locke (Canterbury), smln. 59.25ec., beat L. Crossley (Waikato), 6min. I.ssec. N. Vertongen (West Coast), smin. 53.75ec., beat R. Elliott (Canterbury), Gmin. 7.Bsec. F. Treadrea (Auckland), smin. 57.95ec.. beat D. Mitchell (West Coast), 6min. 13.7 sec. Butcher and Mearns, the two fastest losers, qualify for the quarterfinals.