WHEELING

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 5288, 28 May 1904, Page 14

WHEELING

(By “Austral/^

■ Fresh cycling champions are few and far between now-a-days, hut a pew crack has recently sprung from the laud ot 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 woll-'known cracks as Jenkins, the English champion.- Butt, 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 iu 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. Tho return of an old path hero, to the racing arena is announced. The diminutive Welsh pace follower, who hold undisputed sway in the cycle path a few years ago, has again made his appearance in the cycling arena, and is at present in hard training at Paris. Michael, when in form, jmt up during his racing career more records than any other cyclist. A year or two ago ho 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 tho 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 des 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 English cycling paper, expressed the hope that he may meet Alajor Taylor in the world's championship this season. Ho says a man haying won the world’s championship, as he has done,, a few times, always feels 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 null eclipse any previous racing on the Continent. Cissac, the brilliant French motorist, and present holder of the motor cycle “Brassard, was recently challenged by H. Fossior. 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 Cissac overhauled Fossior, owing tc some carburetter troubles in the latter’s motor. Cissac, it may bo mentioned, is the famous motorist who paced Hall in his world’s hour record.

All the preparations and eliminating trials by the representative riders of the various competing countries havo been completed. The course ever 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 60 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. Air Edge, on whom England principally depends to secure the coveted honour, 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, Jenatzy, rode a Mercedes car, and will havo a similar mount this year. Altogether it is expected that over 50

cars, representing a value of £50,000, ivill 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 tho past two years, accompanies Stevens as a team mate in place of MacFarland. Major Taylor also returns by the Ventura. Ho will just miss the World’s Championship Meeting in Loudon, but will have time to train, after his arrival,. before challenging the winner of tho World’s Chamionship. Tlie ajrpearauce of Waihour, the American crack pace follower, in European countries has created quite a panic amongst the French, German, and English riders. Since his arrival in Europe Waihour . 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 tho season in Berlin recently he simjily romped homo from five or six other competitors, amongst whom was tho almost invincible Thaddeus Robl, who it will he remembered visited Australia with Dickontn'ian on a racing tour last' year.

. Tho Paris—Eoubaix 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 finest ever seen, and as a result all, records wore smashed. Last Paris-Bordeaux winner, Aucouturior,* took first place, covering the remarkable distance of ICS miles in the extraordinary time, for an unpaced race, of 8 hours Minins 30secs.