New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-17
CYCLING.
LINTON DEFEATS MICHAEL.
THE WORLDS RECORD FOR TWENTY
MILES LOWERED AGAIN.

HIS OLD scHooLMATE IN THE FASTEST
RACE FOR THE DISTANCE EVER
R1DDEN-THE MEN MAY
MEET AGAIN.
Tho largest attendance at a bicycle race this sea
son saw the little racing idol. Jimmy Michael
beaten by Thomas Linton his lifelong rival. at the
Manhattan Beach track yesterday afternoon Be-
tween eight thousand and ten thousand people were
on their feet cheering Just before o'clock. when
Linton crossed the tape nearly mile ahead OF
the diminutve Weshman. Michael met with an
accident early In the contest the tire OF his rear
wheel fattening under him. compelling him TO re-
duce speed and ultimately to change his wheel
The accident cost him two or three laps. Many OF
tho best Judges at the track were OF the opinion.
however that Linton would have won anyhow.
linton not only won as he pleased but he broke
an worlds records for the distance. doing the
twenty miles in 35ls 10 Just seven seconds better
than the best previous worlds record either against
time or in competition. OF course, the accident to
Michaels tire did much to spoil the race. and there
was considerable grumbling in consequence. Many
held that the management ought 10 have had more
extra wheels near at hand for Michael. as Unions
expert handlers had for him. Others thought that
Shafer. Michaels manager. was TO blame for not
putting the little fellow on a new wheel as coon
az 1t had been discovered that the tire had been
punctured. Had this heeen done the chances are
that Michael would not have lost more than a
lap whereas he lost more than two. g. handicap
practically impossible TO make up in such con-
test
1t was an ideal day for the contest with the
possible exception that little less wind would
have enabled the riders TO have Increased their
speed slightly Unions friends were jublant after
the race. and they affectionately patted fat
vads Of bills as they slowed them away their
facial expressions decidedly pleasant.
Michaers admirers were less 1ubant and demon
strative. They that their Idol was totterng on
his pedestal. and they wondered why. They had be-
come so accustomed to seeing the midget sweep
everything before him that they-seu not realize
that his old schoomate. who had travelled all the
way from Wales. had snatched away his laures.
Michael has ridden in two races this year. and he
has been beaten in both. The first defeat was by
McDuffee at Bosom In both races Michael met
with an accident
Last year Michael swept the cycling board and
was never in a tight place. Thfs year the other
fellows seem to have all the luck. But those who
closely scrutnze the competition and time records
will not be surprised much. year ago most Of
the competition figures were the property OF
Michael: to-day nearly all OF them belong 10 some
body else. Michael retains the one-mile mark.
which. by the way. he made this year. All the
others. to and including twenty miles, belong TO
Linton. McDuffee and Taylore. Those who are
fond OF quoting the old saw. figures talk seem
to have the best Of tho argument now. There
others, those fond OF cnging to idols az long
vestige OF hope remains who say that Michael has
been pushed TO his limit OF speed. and that
there Is telling how fast he can under perfect
weather conditions and pacing arrangements.
There were some features In yesterdays race
that the members OF the League Of American
Wheenen will not relish. There was open
betting than was ever before seen at a bicycle
race In this country Early in the afternoon Lin
toms friends were In the majority. and the betting
was to 4 In his favor. Then, Just before the
start, the contingent from the Brighton Beach
racetrack arrived. and the odds changed
For a minute II even money. and Just before
the start It was 100 to 80 on Michael. with moro
Michael money in sight than there were takers for
This is Of course. against the rules of the L. A.
w. but as there were plenty OF League officials
present who and understood what going
on. 1t will remain with them to decide whether
anything will be done. Bundles Of bills were
waved In the air with an abandon seldom seen out
side of a bettng-rng at the racetrack at a
pr.zehght
George McIeish handled most Of the Michael
money. and he said after the that his losses
amounted to sl.l00 Most OF the money wagered,
however. in bets OF from s. TO $50. At the
conclusion OF the It was announced that the
two men would meet again next Saturday with
a side wager of $500 EACH the distance to be
twenty-five miles
After the race Linton said that Michael had
never beaten him except when accident hap
pened to himself his wheel He also said that
he did not believe that Michael ever would beat
him. Incidentally. in justice to Michael. II can be
said that he unfortunate Linton. In
that every time that he has been beaten there
was an accident ION the side" The men have met
Ave times but the race yesterday the first
time that they have ridden in this country Some
of the cycling prophets are OF the opinion that
McDuffee. of Boston. Will beat them both.
The race Old not start until after o'clock--in
fact. 1t was after o'clock when Michael appeared
on the track. Linton appeared and rode around
q +usco Tb., ho Iio,.
stood in front OF the grandstand waiting impa-
tiently for his dlminutive rival to appear Call
after call was made for Michael. and finally the
announcer said that Michael had been called for
the last time. Unions friends angry. Man.
ager Quicker OF the National Track Association
team. OF which Linton is a member did not m,nce
words. ut Is a trick" said he land II tbev
ever try to DO IL again there will be no race even
II 25. people are present" Linton seemed greatly
annoyed as he walked around the track IN his
bath robe.
The race was started at $40 Linton won tia ,
toss for position and training camps His nacs
makers were In the camp at the head Of the home.
stretch while Michaels men were at the beginning
Of the backstretch. Lintons men were all In neat
uniform OF the same pattern. while Mchaers helm.
suits OF every description and assortment
Of color. Michael tried to atone for this lack NJ
harmonious coloring by wearing. for the FIRST time
here. brand-new uniform. He was flushed. and
there was rather settled look on his face. in
place OF that childlike smile Of old
Before the shafer said that Michael was in
the best possible physical condition, but admitted
that his pacemakers might be better, when he re.
marked: III the two htched 10 a rail.
road train the betting would be 500 to $50 that
Michael would win
At the crack OF the pistol two swiftly moving
Quints swept by. and Linton and Michael spirited
for their respective PAGES Michael the first
to catch on. ard his Team sailed around the turn
yard TO the good. Passing the stand for the first
time Michael led by ten yards; Il had been said
that "Foxey Quiia" Shafer had planned the battle
about In this Style Michael was to make the pace
90 fast in the hrst three miles that Linton would
% shaken on and then, the trainer ma mayer
thcvght the sherin himself would not be able to