The Examiner Newspaper:-Wednesday 13 July 1949

Amateurs Expect Record Field For Ross Race FROM 60 nominations received for the annual Launceston to Ross (47 miles) amateur road cycling race on Saturday, a field approximating 50 is expected to face the starter.
This number would constitute an all-time record for the race and establish a new high for a club event in Northern Tasmania.
The event, conducted annually by the Launceston Amateur Cycling Club, will start from the corner of Howick and Wellington Sts. at 2 p.m. Winner is expected to cross the finishing line, opposite Ross post office, shortly after 4 o'clock.
Last year the race attracted 39 riders, and resulted in a run away win for 18-year-old W. Barker, of Hobart, handicapped on a mark close to the limit men. Barker, having his first start in the North, rode unassisted from near Conara, and won by more than a mile. His feat surprised fellow southerners. Barker has not ridden in the North since.
Time honours went to Alwyn Tapp, also of Hobart. He clocked Ihr. 53min. 29 1-5sec., and started with the second scratch bunch, a group likely to be very strong again this year. Although Mr. C. Beasley has not issued the list of handicaps, it would not surprise if eight riders were in this bunch.
Scratch men may be southerners Vern Tapp and G. Squires. Tapp has been riding impressively, but will need to be at his best to gain time honours.