Page:The fastest bicycle rider in the world - 1928 - Taylor.djvu/152

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
There was a problem when proofreading this page.
130
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MAJOR TAYLOR

in this country with the single exception of Earl Kiser who did not appear. The time was :33.

“Major Taylor as usual in such races had everything his own way and won the final easily. Johnnie Fisher took the lead followed closely by Taylor with Frank Kramer bringing up the rear. Major was offered the pole on the back stretch but refused it, he made no effort to begin his wonderful winning jump until the last turn was

Frank L. Kramer

reached. Kramer then cut down to the pole behind Fisher and Taylor and rounding into the home stretch set sail for the tape unhindered. Fisher was beaten at the head of the stretch and Kramer did not have enough left in him to overtake and pass the dusky whirlwind, though he made a strenuous effort. The Major was never headed and won by a clean open length, Frank Kramer was second and Johnnie Fisher was third.”

The final of this quarter-mile championship race was one of the most popular victories I ever won. This was due in considerable measure to the fact that I considered the Vailsburg bicycle fans far better educated upon the fine points of bicycle racing than any other similar group in the country, and as far as I can learn the same holds