CYCLING AND MOTOR NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1075, 13 October 1910, Page 11

CYCLING AND MOTOR NOTES.

WiLKKN AMBOOL-MELBOURNE ROAD RACE.

The following particulars are to hand touching the great cycling road race:

The great road event of the year took place on Saturday, and was denoted by the most unfavourable weather conditions it has so far been accorded. In 1906 (Riley’s year) the riders had to fight their way through rain, and it is very seldom that the riders have escaped mud, but on Saturday both drizzling rain and a strong head-wind had to be endured right Nevertheless, the result hinged on a sprint,, this being the closest fought-out race since the inception of the event. No less than live riders came in sight together, and the winner only prevailed by a length or so. The entry (525) and acceptors (409) constitute records for bicycle races in any part of the world, and of these 355 started, but the severe task soon weeded out the unfit.

Of the 409 acceptors 35 5 faced the starter; but the first 60 miles sufficed to cut out all who were not in the best of condition for the long weary struggle against the wind. The middle-start men and a few of the back markers benefited, and coming through Geelong T. Larcombe (N. S.W.) and Munro (Vic-), the scratch men, were 46min. behind the leaders. J. McSweeney (W.A.), who had 17min start, was only 11 min behind the first man to pass through, and Pianta (another West Australian) followed him, 7min later, in company with Hall (Vic.), who had only 6min start. The New South Welshmen who took part were T. Larcombe (scr.), F. J. Foxover (2 3min), and W. A. Collins (37min). The race started at 6 a.m., and it was anticipated that the winner would turn up at Melbourne Haymarket about 2.30 p.m., but the thousands that had assembled to witness the conclusion of the struggle had to wait until 4.12 o’clock before the first rider hove in sight. He was hotly pursued by several others, and the finish was undoubtedly the best part of the race. Down the hill the riders came at racing pace. The crowd grew excited and surged over the barriers. The police and officials battled to keep the track clear, but not until the riders were right up to them did the crowd open, and here some of the men slackened pace. Undoubtedly this spoiled the finish, b* of West Australia, starting from the comparatively short handicap of 17min, was hanging on to the leading rider’s wheel, appeared to be temporarily confused by the crowd, and when he made his final dash was not able to get under way quick enough, and was placed second, about a length behind Piercey, the winner, it was a great finish, the first six riders being within a space of five or six lengths. The first fifteen riders were placed as follows:—

C. Piercey (Vic.), 47min start, riding time lOh Imin 21sec; J. McSweeney (W.A.), 17min start, 9.31.21; E. Perrett (Vic.), 45min start, 9.59.23; J. O’Brien (Vic.), 47min

start, 10-1.24; E. Smith (Vic.), 49 min start, 10.3.25; J. R. Hunter (Vic.), 53min start, 10.7.26, The next in order were: C. Astley (Vic.), A. C. Colvin (Vic.), J. Pianta (W.A.), W. Rennie (Vic.), J. Panons (Vic.), C. Betts (Vic.), R. S. Hae (Vic.), E. T. Gregory (Vic.), E. Bainbridge (Vic.). J. Pianta secured the fastest time, covering the distance in 9h 30min 46sec. T. Larcombe (N.S.W.), was 67tn, the journey occupying lOh 12min 6sec. Munro (Vic.), last year’s record-maker, filled 60th place, taking 10b Bmin 38 sec. Last year he covered the distance in 7h 12min 51sec.