WHEELING

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1682, 25 May 1904, Page 55

WHEELING

(By “Austral.”)

Fresh cycling champions are few and' far between now-a-days, but a new crack has recently sprung from the land of the Stars and Stripes. An. American cyclist named Walter Bardgett made his first appearance recently in England at the great cycle meeting on the Canning Town track, and created quite a * sensation by defeating, such well-known cracks as Jenkins, the English champion. Ruth, the German champion, and several other English and European cracks. In the international match race of three distances the American won two out of the three races, and thus secured premier place in the event. Great interest is being- taken in the proposed series of races shortly to take place between the visitor and Ellegaard, last year’s world’s champion. The return of an old path hero, to the racing arena is announced. The diminutive Welsh pace follower, who held undisputed sway in the cycle path a few years ago, has again made his appearance in- the cycling arena, and ds r at present in hard’ training at Paris. Michael, when in form, put up during his racing career more records than any other cyclist. A year or two ago he retired from the path to accept a tempting offer as a jockey. His return to the cycling arena is looked forward to with considerable interest, many good judges, who have been watching him in training, declaring that he is just as good as ever. Thomas Ellegaard, the triple champion of the world, has returned to form at' last, having defeated all- the best cracks in the Paris . circuit in some mile scratch races held recently on the Princes Parcs track. Ellegaard, like Major Taylor, does not easily get into condition, and as a result suffered defeat in the first five races in which •he competed. Ellegaard, in an interview with a leading E'nglish cycling paper, expressed the hope that he may meet- Major Taylor in the world’s championship this season. He says a mam having won the world’s championship, as he has done, a few times, always Teels at. a disadvantage in meeting a challenger. Last year’s world champion is of the opinion that the racing at the world’s cycling meet this year in-London will eclipse any previous racing on the Continent.

Cissae, the brilliant French motorist, and present holder of the motor cycle “Brassard," was recently challenged by 0. Fossier. The race attracted close on 10,000 people to the Princes des Parcs track, Paris, Fossier getting 350yds start in a 10 kilometres race. At the end of the seventh lap Cissae overhauled Fossier, owing to some carburetter troubles; in the latter’s motor. Cissae, it may be mentioned, is the famous motorist who paced Hall in his world’s hour record.

AH the preparations and eliminating trials by the representative riders of the various competing countries have been completed. The course over which the race is to be run this season is situated in Gemrany. Each country has at least six racing cars competing, varying, it is stated from 50 h.p. to 100 h.p. The weight of each motor has been limited, so that the trials of speed and endurance may be more or less equalled. Mr Edge, on whom England principally depends to secure the covetedhonour, is driving an 80 h.p. 4 cylinder 3 speed and reverse Napier machine, which in preliminary trials registered speeds from 20 to 90 miles an hour. Last year’s winner 1 , Jenatzy, rode a ‘Mercedes car, and will have a similar mount this- year. Altogether it is expected that over 50 cars, representing a value of £50,000', will take part in the great race. Orlando Stevens, the Yankee crack rider is returning to the United States by the Ventura. Scheps, the South Australian cyclist whose riding has been so conspicuous during the past two. years, accompanies Stevens as a team mate in place of MadFarland. Major Taylor also returns by the Ventura. He will just miss the World’s Championship Meeting in London, but will have time to train, after his arrival, before challenging the winner of the-World’s Chamionship. The appearance of Walhour, the American crack pace follower, in European countries has created quite a panic amongst the French, German, and Einglish riders. Since his arrival in Europe Walhour has had nothing but a series of sensational victories over the recognised best men, such as Dangla, Bruni, Hall, etc. At the opening run of the. season in Berlin recently he simply romped home from five or six other competitors, amongst whom was the almost invincible Thaddeus Robl, who it will be remembered visited Australia with Dickentnian on a racing tour last year: The Paris —Roubaix road race which is- recognised as the principal, race' of its kind in France, took place recently Sixty-four riders faced the starter, the weather being dull and wintry. Despite the adverse conditions, the ride was one of the finesh ever, seen, and as a result

all records were smashed. Last year’s Pari s-Bordeau x winner, Aucouturier, took first place, covering the remarkable distance of IGS miles in the extraordinary time, for an unpaced race, of 8 hours 14mins 30secs.