CYCLING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 809, 7 September 1905, Page 13

CYCLING.

The big Timaru-to-Christchurch race was to a large extent spoilt by bad weather which prevailed, a rained nearly all the time, and the r were very heavy. The race fell to P O’Connor, of Cficklewood, who rode consistently throughout. The tim< the winners were as follows:—P. O’Connor (Cricklewood), 45min, ri time 6hr 57min, 1; A. Hunn (Spreyc 35min, riding time 7hr 12min 9sec, 2 H. Bell (Fairlie), 42min, riding timt 22min lsec, 3; G. Smith (Riccar 50min, riding time 7hr 40min 13set W. A. Bennett (Highbank), 45m, ri time 7hr 37min 25sec, 5; G. N. Long (Temuka), 42min, riding time 7hr & 43sec, 6. Special prize: H. Hend« (Palmerston North), smin, riding 7hr 7min 51sec., with O’Connor, Her son, -Hunn, and O. Neilsen (Dannevi 23min, riding time 7hr 17min Bsec, Bell and H. Lloyd (Wanganui), 23 riding time 7hr 24min 25sec, who pu the. first six fastest times, will repn New Zealand in the Goulburn-Sy and Warrnambool-Melbourne race month.

George Farley, the Australian cy< champion, now on a racing visit to ’ ope in company with Ellegaard Rutt, has made his first public apj ance in France. In writing to a ri sentative of the Sydney “ Daily ' graph,” under date June 27, he s that he had a very rough trip across, after a tedious railway journey arr in Paris on the same day as the Kin Spain. He was met at the statioi Mr. Robert Coquelle, one of the Pari promoters, who had given him s good engagements and escorted him boarding establishment in the Etoil district of Paris. Walter Rutt, German champion, who was retur from his Australian trip, and his i stayed at the same place. Elleg and his wife only remained in I three days, being anxious to get to 1 home in Denmark after their long to Australia. Farley started to t the day after his arrival, and found Parisian tracks very difficult to r tiate after the Australian tracks, banking., on the Continental tracki very steep, the angle being 42deg. June 19 the Australian, Rutt, and Fi Kramer took train to Antwerp, rode a three-cornered match race three heats of a mile, decided on po Farley gives a description of the rac In the first heat he took the pace, w was withdrawn at the bell, leaving Australian in the lead by half a len with Rutt second, Kramer being some distance off third. In the se< heat Kramer was forced to accept pace, and in the last lap he was < lenged by Farley and Rutt. The An

can, however, won again, but only defeated Farley by half a wheel, with Butt third. In the third heat three starts were made, as none of the riders would accept the pacer’s wheel. Eventually Butt took it, with Kramer second and Farley last. Half a tap from home Kramer went round Butt and defeated the German by half a length, with Farley the same distance off third. Kramer won easily on points from Butt, with the Australian last. The Continental papers, however, gave Farley great praise for his good showing and fast sprinting so soon after a long journey.

Farley’s second engagement was away from Paris, at Genoa, in Switzerland, where he had been engaged to race against Ellegaard, Butt, Paird, and other Continental celebrities, and the race had not been ridden at the time of writing. The Australian champion states that the promoters who had engaged him were so satisfied with his showing against Kramer and Butt, that they have given him a special match against the three best men in Europe, viz., Henri Mayer, Kramer, and Poulain, and the event was scheduled for early in July. Farley states that the food on the Continent is very oily, and takes a lot of getting used to. He is still riding his - Australianbuilt machine, which meets with praise on all sides. The sport, he states, is well attended all ovei’ the Continent, and it is a common sight to see 25.000 spectators present at a big match race. Kramer, he states, is very anxious to visit Australia for a racing trip next season, and the American champion wishes to secure such an engagement.

A Melbourne writer says: “The New Zealand cracks make no secret of the fact that they intend making a bold bid for the Australasian Boad Blue Biband which J. Arnst won for New Zealand in 1903, and which was subsequently in 1904 won by T. Larcombe, of New South Wales, from B. Arnst by a very small margin. The New Zealand representative team for the forthcoming Warm ambool road race promises to be a very warm one.”

Owing to the Warrnambool-Melbourne contest being held some four or five weeks later this year, the riders on the outmarks will have the advantage of starting in daylight, which will enable the men on big marks to take full advantage of their handicaps.

The success of the monster motor and cycle run to be held on “Dunlop Day” (September 2), is already assured. It is the intention of the promoters to distribute a numbered ticket to every cyclist and motorist taking part, and prizes to the value of £l9 will be ballotted for at the smoke concert to be held in the Canterbury Hall the same evening. The first prize, value £8 Bs, will be a handsome travelling bag and dressing case, presented by Messrs. S. Manning and Co., Limited; second prize,' silver afternoon tea set, presented by Messrs. F. T. Pannell and Co.; third prize, ladies’ dressing case, presented by Messrs. J. Ballantyne and Co.; fourth prize, case carvers, silver-mounted, presented by Messrs. J. Bates and Co.; fifth prize, presented by Messrs. Jones and Sons. Already word is to hand that a number of automobilists from Ashburton and the surrounding districts intend taking part.

The committee of the Christchurch Cycling and Motor Club are making elaborate preparations in order to ensure the success of their smoke social, to be held in the Canterbury Hall on the evening of the Dunlop road race and monster run movement, in which a large number of leading representative men are taking an active interest, and it is believed the date mentioned will make an important epoch in the history of Canterbury. The whole of the cycling community are taking the matter up enthusiastically, and from present indications the function gives every promise of being a most • pronounced success.

The report of the Christchurch Cycl ing and Motor Club for the year ending July 31, 1905, showed that the member ship has increased from 172 to 192. The result of the year’s working was a net profit of £32 12s Id. The assets of the club are £869 Ils lOd in excess of the liabilities.