The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-22
EASY WIN FOR MICHAEL.
THE WELSH NIDG EFT MAKES n LONG
STRING OF BICYCLE RECORDS.

" Nv" NhhtV -
tan Beach and Creates Now Figures from
F1fteen TO Thirty three Miies-The Loser sur-
rerS from Poor Pacing and Hard Luck
Manhattan Beach was the Mecca Of practically
all metropolitan cyclists yesterday, and tho
main arteries leading from Brooklyn to the In
closure looked as II n continuous pursuit race
was In progress. Trains and trolleys also
brought their quota Of enthusiasts, and 1t was
a noticeable fact that these wore more as
gressively modern bicycle costumes than those
VINO pedalled through the dust to tho scene.
All, however, were clearly moved by one
impulse, and that was to see tho big thirty
three'mile race between Michael, the Welsh
man, and StarbuCk, tho American. Many VINO
knew more about patriotism than form stood up
loyalty for the Pennsylvania, and insisted that
no must win. Club men and their Initiated
followers were equally positive that the little
foreigner was unbeatable, and this divergence
OF opinion led to much friendly argument and
badtnare. When the question OF time cropped
up, individual favoritism was forgotten In the
general desire to sec the worlds record lowered.
and one girl in low shoes. silk hosiery. and
divided skirts voiced tn. sentiments Of hundreds
when she exclaimed, II don't care who wins. 30
long as it Is a good race and America gets tho
record"
We'll" remarked her giddy neighbor In
Scotch bloomers, how do we know TINT tho
present holder OF the record isn't an American :
Certainly his name, Stocks, is suggestive of
Wall street"
The American Cycle Racing Association, which
brought the two star riders together. had ar
ranged an attractive programme as a prelude to
tho chief event, and this prompted patrons to DO
on hand early. B fore the starters for tho
curtain raiser" lined up the turnstiles were
clicking merrily, and within an hour tho grand
stand and bleachcrs were dotted with merry
groups Of riders OF both sexes. As time wore on
the waiting line gradually spread and length
ened. the vacant points OF vantage filled uo as
II by magic, and long before the red.letter event
was due fully 10000 persons had squeezed
themselves into positions along the track.
The seating capacity was monopolized early,
but tho Overflow" brigade proved equal to
the emergency. When no moro could squeeze
either on TO tho covered stand or bleachcrs the
enthusiasts formed q solid fringe eight or ten
deep around tho top OF the banking. Then a
detachment swoopcd down on the band stand In
the inield until it looked like q midnight car
coming home from Coney Island, and the moro
enterprising charged across the centre and
roasted on tho roofs OF the training
quarters behind the backstretch. Tho police
on hand were totally inadequate to the handling
Of such a multitude and reserves we're urgently
called for. A comparative few responded, but
fortunately the crowd was as merciful as 1t was
strong and behaved so admirably that the affair
passed of without one Of the hundred accidents
dreaded by the humane management and pre-
dicted by the fatalists.
The event OF the day was, OF course. the thirty.
three-milc match race between Jimmy Michael
and J. Frank Starbuck. While the short-dis-
lance amateur and professional events resulted
in some spirited racing, there was q general
lack OF interest among the crowd until the time
delayed until 5:35 o'clock In the hope that the
wind would subside in order to enable the mon
TO get inside the record figures. There was con.
siderable speculation and many wagers were ven
tSred on the SiF race amons the eycling SHARPE IN
performances abroad and in this country had
earned for him an enviable reputation as a dis.
lance rider, At any distance from fifteen to
one hundred miles he Is considered by close stu
dents Of form as inyincihle. ,starbuck stock.
clnssed among the leading American long-dis.
lance men. and many maintained that he stood
ar a9s,. excellent Ills defeat Ss ,90e at OF the CROSSING ansd, the Of 'S Mi'
chael last fall n: Manhattan Beach was
e eIHGdhiGasp poor RI pacemasers' starbnsk's failure t. to
defeat Michael. last year never fully satisfied the
former that the foreigner was the superior man.
and in consequence he entered the race with q
determination to score a victory or accept a de-
fea, which would be decisive.
Each rider had tnirty-two pacemakcrs. Tho
pacing crews were picked from among the best
riders throughout the country. mounted on trip
ers were distinguished by small American tiags
worn on their, racing jerseys. while Michaels
hbhlbl hutb nW NHlle slItdlitfS htldtlcN 10
their machines. 1t was asserted before the race
that Starbuck's pacing men were the superiors
OF his opponents. but the declaration proved
The pacing teams appeared on the track short
spective sections on The track. The biz ma.
chimes. mnnned by strapping riders attlred in
vari;colored racing suits. presented an odd sight
Michael and starbuck put in an appearance at
$50 o'clock. Both men rode around the track
several times. and were inspected by the hugo
crowd much in the same manner as thorough
bred equLnes ere looked oyer at e horse race. In
sIdersbIy heavier and looks physically strong.
er. Michael; WHO is only feet 2 inches
American. National entiment was with star.
crowd at once sympnthized with Michael.
Racing experts, In summing up the points OF the
in Mich se iop paptinni Fly hs ACTON and - general unerrG
ease OF riding. Starbuck rides in a lnbored way
and displays general neTvonsness, Michael ode
was 90.
The two riders were sent off from a standing
start at 5:35 O'Clock. Stirbuck had the pole.
The first pacing machines. two triplets. came up
behind the riders, going 10 the front as soon as
chine took the foreigner to the front. The pac.
Ing Ing, ere e"sr, cut out 9Ss a rHpid P'Gei and at nsc the
IN advance OF NJ ehael. Al This point the nrst
a' After 81 snI RHiHa 'n 'St isaa s s!@rS SncS 3 team went
so fast hat they ran ava from him., with the
result that MiChacl closed the gap. Al Two
laps Starbuck's pacing men we're Just getting
him in trim again. when Michael cut
loose and took the lead. In an attempt to
trail Michael. Starbuck's pacing team hg in ran
away. and at the first mile Mich lel W 6 leading
BY fifty yards. Starbuck's pacing was wretched.
His pickups were poor and no Judgment was
shown in maintaining II gait TO suit the con-
testant.
The indifferent and discouraging showing OF
S%tarbuck at the outset dampened the ardor of
his friends. Michael's pacing teams were WORK.
ing In clock.liko order. while the diminutiyo
w elShman, With "A large quill tooth pick in his
mouth and a slight bend In his body. showed a
Ssll'assnrance that augured well for his success.
The first mile was under two minutes: but out
side tho record, and with a good wind blowing
across the track few hopes Of new records were
entertained.
After covering one mile Michael and his pac-
Ing crews seemed TO realize that something was
auliss witt Starbuck, and they accordingly cut
out at an Increased gait to secure ever, adynn;
taGe possible. Al one and u half miles Michael
had increased his lead to rs yards. while con
tnued poor pacing was setting s%tarbnck, back;
Al Two miles the foreigner continued to gain and
doubts were felt whether starbuck had any
license at all TO ride against Michael. After the
| HO.nll mnrk A paaaaJ with SIAFnlnk III