A SIX DAYS’ CONTEST.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 988, 11 February 1909, Page 12

A SIX DAYS’ CONTEST.

. The great American Annual Six Days’ Cycle Race held at Madison Square Gardens, New York, is of particular interest to cyclists in this part of the world, inasmuch as it resulted in new records and a win for Floyd McFarland, who teamed with Moran- In all, 32 riders, including the best long-distance cracks of Europe. took part in the big event, making up 16 teams of two each, no competitor being permitted to be on the track for more than 12 hours out of every 24 hours. From the lump the pace was very fast, 25% miles being recorded in the first hour, fast travelling for a ten-lap track. At 10 hours Rutt, Stol, Dupret and Georget, McFarland, Moran, Lawson and Fogler, Vanoni, Anderson, and Rupprecht, Bedell were all level with a score of 227 miles —7 laps—-nearly 2 miles better than the previous record- An hour or so later, the two American cracks, Bedell and Moran, collided, the result being that Bedell was carried off the track with a broken collarbone. In the first 24 hours 514 miles were covered, four miles better than the previous record, which stood to the credit of McFarland and Elkes Six teams were level at this stage, including least year’s winners—Rutt and Stol at 40 hours, the scoring board showed 812 miles 8 laps. At 64 hours, Rutt and Stol, MacFarland and Moran, Fogler and Lawson, and De Mara and Hill, were running level with a score of 1150 miles 9 laps. Fogler shortly afterwards retired, and his team mate, Tver Lawson, followed suit a few hours later. At 90 hours, most

of the riders were having a bad time, the score being nearly 1746 miles. Soon afterwards McFarland had a bad fall, but soon pulled round after massage. On the last day £lOO was offered by the promoters as a bonus to the leading teams if the record for the race was beaten. At 130 hours Rutt, Stol, MacFarland, Moran and De Mara, Hill led with a score of 2508 miles 9 laps. Excitement grew intense as the finish of the contest drew nigh, and at call of time the three teams were all practically level, the total mileage being 2737 miles 1 lap, or 3 miles 7 laps better than the previous record. The final placings in the sprint home resulted in MacFarland and Moran being placed first, Rutt and Stol second, and De Mara and Hill third. The event drew enormous crowds right through the week, and the race is said to have been the most successful of the series held.