The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-10
NEWS OF THE WHEELMEN.
RACING SEIZED l. FOR TIE SEA
SON PROMISES RARE SPORT.

Amateur and Professional Riders Prepare
for II Big Knid on Observation-Disclosures
of Prizes Not Popular Foreign Cracks
Fare Better Revised Dates.
Ambitious wheelmen who follow racing as a
pastime or for n livelihood will seek to create
new records this year. The outlook for the rae
ing season is encouraging. The fear that the
recognition Of a purely professional instead OF a
semi-professional class this year would be det-
rimental to racing interests has been exploded
by the race meet promoters. who are arranging
to make every provision for professional riders.
With Edward Bald. Otto Zeiglor. Jr. p. J.
Bliss, w. w. Hamilton, Walter Sanger, and
other leading bicycle riders competing for
purses, there should be keen rivalry throughout
the campaign.
John s. johnson, Ray Mcdonald. G. NJ.
Murphy, George Banker. Harry Wheeler. and
Earl kiser, now racing In Europe, intend to re-
turn to this country carly in August and bring
some foreign riders, so that the attractions Of
the fall schedule are liKely to DO enhanced by
racing of an international flavor. J. Michael,
who is recognized as the champion OF Europe,
has agreed to race johnson in this country in
September. Then. too. such riders as Ham
ilton, Cooper, Cabanne. Bald. and Murphy
can. under the new and liberal conditions,
try conclusions with such professional stars as
Sanger and Johnson. At present the big pro-
fessi0nal riders are In training at Savannah and
Louisville, and expect to start on the racing cir
cult about May 80.
Otto Zeigler, Jr., now holds the one-mile
amateur competition record of 1 minute
SO 2-5 seconds. and Peter j. Berlo the pro-
fcssional competition record of l minute
80 2-5 seconds. Early in the n~tneties. when
safety racing was in its infancy, Berlo rode a
mile in . minutes is 1-5 seconds. which was
characterized as IA remarkable record. Superior
records are not supposed to constitute a cham
pion rider, rs fast times are made nowadays on
the wheel under circumstances that often pro-
woke suspicion. Early in April it was announced
that Melvin o. Dennis OF Denver had covered q
straightaway mile in l minute IL 35 seconds.
In this trial the record man was aided by a
gallo OF wind and n downhill course. and under
these conditions his feat has received scant
recognition.
Racing men will be afforded every chance to
keep in condition this year. Tournaments are
for five and six days OF each week
during the months OF June, July, and August,
so that there will be no end OF racing. la this
State. commencing on May 30, races are sched-
uled at frequent intervals.
The national racing circuit, as altered by the
l.. A. w. Racing Board, is rs follows:
May 10. San Francisco; 23. Santa Monica, Cal: 80,
Ariz.
June l, Tucson, Ariz.; 3, FL Paso. Tex; 0. San An
tonic, Tex; 8. Laredo. Tex; 10. Honston. Tex; ls
New orleans f /, Lyle Rosk; Ark: go st. Louis; 20.
july, /, daltsb1rs.- ill.,; = baVrnport. la 8, supe.
s tss:: w. M'f hal ii; C Gls"F; .; a APP Pc E G@il %Is' =. 4 M MnS ~,
e, Lima; ss ,sprnSneid, q m ~
"a % S !; si%s'R Ran.: j. iSi Nof E! / aGai x lid, i y Hill Pa;
!. sspt: j and :, spT!nshsid; Mass 5, WWaaiiham; :.
B. Wew 9 4d H.e nsv \; y y n1 ~; iIr,neeP p s, ~ 5a Mnr,r'den'
v 9Gt: / Trenton; 3. Philadelphia; 8, Reading 10.
This arranpenen+ ~ rocas will o,oh,o ro,irr
men to travel from one tournament to another
p y easy stages; Last year they we're controlled
letw cen meets. and AS u result were in poor
'hane to do any creditable Tho
fHclng Board has tried to remedy the trouble
The leagne has decided that the prize values
ms year shall not exceed S35 in amateur events
ND sloo in professional races; Both classes
Iccept these restrictions peacefully. but there IL
reat aiscontent over the chanEed conditions II
ne prize values; Last year amateurs competed
or prizes valued rs high ms $50. and the profess
i0nai element was unrestricted. The new rules
Affect the professional class seriously.
.ournament-promoting clubs are dividing the
, in purses among four positions, leaving he
prizes In the professional races averaged
In France and Australia professional racing
very successful. Large purses are offered in
countries, and the result il that all the, big
ight months the following races Tor purses Of
90 or over have been run in Australia;
& Sasfman' se GSp. 1856 ssGs' s 3 1ssS; M hSasq @sc Of SKIS E!S'o ESFl +
lngong wheel race, S816; half mile cna,npinnship, {
ssgs S: . nss%I,S See %n. ZEN As,1 :a%S; S SEt:"y c G%HR.
nEoOi ten'milc Championship az Victoria, 5000 A
SHinlle championship OF Victoria, $50; hNr.mile =
ratch race, $40; three mile open handicap. Sl5O: '
twrastle wheel race, sl6Q; Litrrnlti9nal, scratch =
w. racr, y 40; Victoria mile. SlHi, Federal stakes, I
mrStGilss handicap ~ Miles, Slou; send v
ce, 500; Tamworth wheel race, SiO0. =
This list shows that nearly $4,000 has been "a
ylded. Racing men in France and Australia G
no compete in the professional events think a
'thlng OF earning from $4,000 10 5000 a year II
racing. In fact, bicycle racing In these coun-
We sport. N
The professional racing men heredl not have n
any purses offered 10 them last season, but In Il
Q few races held they Jared very we'll. Star o.
Ick, the Philadelphian, Is said 10 have won n
$4,000, Sanger's earnings are placed Il
$4,000, while John s. Johnson Is credited q
N having made about 10000. Tho second o
To professional racing men also made out quite VI