THE GREAT CYCLE RACE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 6917, 28 January 1901, Page 4

THE GREAT CYCLE RACE.

Over 12,000 people witnessed tha close of the six days' international bicycle race in Madison-square Garden, New York, on December 15. The finish was remarkably sensational. Elkes and McFarland, the American team, came in first, only 12ft ahead of Pierce ahd McEachin, the Canadians. At the close of the raoe Elkes and McFarland rode round the ring carrying large American flags, receiving tremendous applause. Their record was 2,628 miles 7 laps; the Canadians covered the same distance ; the French team were only one lap less, and the Germans, who came in fourth, covered 2,596 miles. The winners did not susceed in beating Miller and "Waller's 1899 record, for they covered 2,733 miles in six days. Seven teams retired during the contest, and several of them are in hospitals suffering from severe injuries caused by falling from their bicycles and other accidents. Nearly all the survivors presented pitiable appearances from exhaustion and lack of proper sleep and rest. The winners reoeive £876, and prizes amounting to an aggregate of £562 sterling were awarded to the other teams, according to their position.