CYCLE RACING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 16, 16 December 1932, Page 12

CYCLE RACING

WITH THE AMATEURS. (By “Sprinter.”) The third evening meeting conducted by the Manawatu Amateur Atldetic 'and Cycling Club was belli on Monday at the Sportsground. The weather con. ditions were almost perfect, with a slight breeze blowing which did not affect good riding, and some very good times were registered. Quite a large jnumber of the general public were pre|sent, and all enjoyed the meeting. E. Lawrence proved beyond all 'doubt his riding a.bility. In the threemile event he had to make his own pace until the last lap, when he overtook the bunch of riders and going : straight past finished a magnificent 'effort with a great sprint. E. Lawrence, M. Gardner and J. [Casey appeared very unlucky in the lone lap A grade, for when it came to a sprint, there being such a big field they became hemmed in and were unable to get through.

The event was very evenly contested. Practically the whole field came into the straight together, the front markers Dixon, Pillinger and It. Lawrence having the advantage of a slight lead. They maintained it to fill the major positions.

| in the A class events, Pillinger and :R. Lawrence showed an improvement pnd in the B class H. Gardner, An'thony, and Prouse showed'good form. More should be heard of these riders. I Essex would benefit if he were to 'practice riding the line, i It. Walker had a hard task in B class events, but, this being his first appearance on the track this season, little could be expected. When • in form he will be hard to beat. He must confine his riding to two hands. Dixon is still a great rider as he proved by winning the first A event. J. Casey evidently lost count of the ; laps. or could not hear Mr Announcer, j The boys’ races are taking on well and some very good riders are appearing. Johnson rode very well on Monday and is good enough for the scratch mark. De Bidder rode well for a first appearance rider and if the club can , hold on to these boys some excellent j riders will be racing in A and B class events in a year or two.

' The keenness and sportsmanship of these boys should be an example to some of last year’s A and B class riders who this year are sitting on the fence. E. Anthony is the class of lad the club is anxious to get hold of. His first appearance on Monday night proved he is a trier. With a good trainer, as he has, he should turn out an excellent rider.

Gardner is also a mere novice, not so much a tactical rider as a hal'd one. He is well built and with experience should turn out a good rider. Club captain I. Boss has consented to give the riders lecturettes on correct training methods, sprinting, etc. This should be helpful to all riders as Mr Boss has had long experience in cycle racing. The decision of the committee to bar track wheels in B class events is a good one, as it will put alj the new riders on the same footing. December 23 will see the commencement of summer road racing. The committees decision on this point was made in view of the fact that a number of road racers will not ride on the track, and are keen to ride on the road in summer. This decision is a good one and it is to be hoped that those lads who are not track riders but are keen road racing cyclists will compete. In the three-mile event quite a few riders were content to take the laps very slowly. PROFESSIONAL PARS. (By “Pedals.”) Luxmore certainly showed his riding ability last Friday night by winning both the professional events. Many would like to see him compete at Cheltenham.

Jennings has better form than ho produced last Friday. There is something lacking in Jefferies’s riding position. Smith rides too high a gear for the local track. An 80 gear would suit him better. French went well off the limit, but is short of training.