Fort William Bicycle Club's Scrapbook

1935

- Page 3 -

INTEREST KEEN FOR MARATHON

50-Mile Bicycle Race Expected To Attract Large Gathering on Saturday

July 9 -- Much enthusiasm has been aroused in the twin cities over the coming 50-mile bicycle marathon to be staged on Saturday afternoon on the International highway under the auspices of the Lakehead Wheelers' club.
With eight classy riders from Fort William and Port Arthur entered, it is expected that a new district record in bicycle racing will be established as they vie for honors. The first four winners will receive a trip to Winnipeg to contest a race in that city.
All plans practically are complete to make the classic a success. However, a meeting of the club will be held tonight in M. Dolcetti's bicycle shop, Port Arthur, to make final arrangements for the staging of the great event. The meeting will be held at 8 o'clock.
Although bicycle racing at the lakehead is only in its infancy compared with other centers, the Wheelers' club bas a clever band of riders, who have been making great strides in this interesting sport.
Expect Fast Times In races held, the club's riders have been clocked in fast times and in trials for the 50-mile marathon several have finished near record time for amateurs. Saturday's race shows promise of breaking all existing lakehead records.
With the big race only a few days distant the eight riders entered are making final touches to their training. All riders have covered the distance and are reported as having made good times.
Joseph Fuchak, a dark horse in the coming event, will bear watching. Under the careful supervision of his trainer Joe Brescia, also a competitor, he has come along fast and will take a lot of beating.
James Walker is the youngest rider of the race but despite his years he will bear a good deal of watching. He has been training diligently for the race, and is reported to be in fine fettle.
The race will start at the Grand Trunk bridge, west Fort William, and will be run 25 miles out on the highway and return with the finish at the bridge. It is expected that there will be a large turnout of spectators on hand to witness the start and finish.

During the running of the race members of the Y. M. C. A. Swimming club will give rection??? of D. Murie.

ELEVEN ENTRIES FOR 50-MILE BICYCLE MARATHON SATURDAY

Cyclists Tapering Off On Training Schedule

H. Pickering, Former Winnipeg Ace, Makes Application For Coming Classic

July 11 -- With only two days left before the big grind, cyclists entered for the 50-mile bicycle marathon to be staged on Saturday afternoon under the auspices of the Lakehead Wheelers' club, gradually are putting the finishing touches to their training.
With the entry last night of H. Pickering, a former bike racer of no mean ability, the entry list for the great classic has been increased to 11. It is expected that one or two more lakehead entries will be received beforE the race gets underway.
Pickering, a new member of the club, has had considerable experience in bicycle racing. He has met the best in the game at Winnipeg and other leading centers in Canada. His entry has added greatly to the interest of the race.
Two Port Entries Tony Rossetto and Tommy McCulloch, the two Port Arthur entrants, promise to put up an excellent showing. These boys will be out to bring honors to the sister city and also to win a trip to Winnipeg to contest for further glory in this sport.
Sec Brunello, brilliant local rider, has been training diligently for the marathon during the last two months and is reported in excellent shape. His trial runs over the course have been clocked in near-record time.
Peter Matyzuk, a rider whose ability in competition is unknown, has been going great guns in training. He is expected to give the other entrants a good run for first place honors.
Officials of the club have left nothing undone to make this event a success in every way. Definite plans have been laid out with a full list of officials ready to put over the

classic in a big way.
The course has been gone over thoroughly and it is reported to be in first class shape. With a police patrol on duty along the course on the International highway, it is expected that every cooperation will be received from motorists.

Active Wheelers Putting On Dance

July 19 -- Recognition of Fort William's Inaugural 50-mile bicycle race winners was given in yesterday's sporting columns of the Winnipeg-Tribune, depicting a cut of the four winners, Paul Brunetta, who finished first, Johnny De Giacomo, second, Joe Brescia, third, and Sec Brunello, fourth. This sterling local pedalling Quartet are to leave shortly for Winnipeg to contest the Tribune-Winnipeg Beach 50-mile race July 27 and also races in St. Boniface. In order to provide sufficient funds to defray the expenses of these riders to the Manitoba capital, the Lakehead Wheelers club, through the generosity of Legi Sprovieri, manager of the Midway dance pavilion, are staging a dance at the Midway tomorrow night. It is the hope of officials that this event will receive the whole-hearted support of the sport-loving public of the two cities.

Paul Brunetta Beaten By Second In Winnipeg Bike Race

Monday, July 29, 1935

LOCAL RIDERS WELL
TO FORE

Personal Touch Given Tribune-Winnipeg Beach
49-Mile Classic
by Walter Sargent

Fort William bicycle riders acquitted themselves admirably in the 49-mile Winnipeg to Winnipeg Beach marathon that drew entries from points in Canada and United States. Fort William should be justly proud of her four cyclists and especially Paul Brunetta, who finished in second place a scant
second behind the winner, Theo Dubois, winner of the classic for the third year

in succession. Considering it was the first time the local boys entered in such an event away from home they can class themselves with the best in the amateur field. Sec Brunello finished fourth; Joseph Brescia, fifth and Johnny De Giacomo, sixth, despite a bad fall at the 44-mile mark. Dubois' time was 2.29.15 and Brunetta's 2.29.16.
In a letter received today Walter Sargent, president of the Lakebead Wheelers' club, states that the race went off splendidly with approximately 120 entries. The course was over flat country but riders were forced to buck a heavy head wind all the way.
According to Mr. Sargent, the local boys were watched all the way, which caused a slowing up of the race. All four Fort William cyclists were out in front at the 44-mile mark, when Johnny DeGiacomo, riding in fourth place, said in English, "come on gang let's go." The next instant he found himself sprawled on the road.
Paul Brunetta forced Dubois at the finish and was only a foot or two behind him at the finishing line. The other three local riders were only a couple of seconds behind the winner.
DeGiacomo was cut up badly but showed brilliant form in finishing in sixth place with a sprained ankle, severe cuts and a broken bicycle.
When the prizes were awarded the riding of the Fort William boys was on everyone's lips and they were treated in grand style by the Winnipeg spectators.
According to President Sargent he never saw so many riders with cuts and bruises as they rode over the finishing line. They seem to bunch too much, he states, and when one suffered a mishap, the others behind went down also.

WINNIPEG, July 29 -- One second behind the winner, Theo Dubois, Paul Brunetta. Fort William, finished second in the annual Winnipeg-Winnipeg Beach 49 mile bicycle marathan here Saturday. Dubois, St. Boniface, riding in the class "A" division was first, duplicating his win of the last two years. His time was two hours, 29 minutes and 15 second.
Maurice Pothier, Norwood, was third with time of 2.29.17; Sec Brunello, John De Giacomo and Joe Brescia, Fort William riders, were fourth, fifth and sixth espectively. There were over 100 entries.