The times., 1899-07-16
GOSSIP OF THE RIDERS.
Tom Cooper n Promising Candidate
for Championship HonOrs.

Tom Cooper II Promising Candidate
for Championship HonOrs.
His victory in the one-miIe champion
ship at Berkeley Oval last Saturday has
placed Tom Cooper upon the highest pin
nacie IN the championship race. The De-
troit man is naturally the choice of the
cyclists for the half mile national cham
| pionship, which is to be run in Buffalo
| next Saturday. Tsis championship is of
the increased point order, and quite natur-
ally the winner is entitled TO the name of
half-mile champion, as but one of these
increased point races at each distance is
| run. Cooper is there training. He de-
feated Mcfarland so cleverly on July
that it would not be stretching the truth
10 say that the Detroit man and the old
time deadly enemy of Eddie Bald is now
quite as popular in Bald's home town as is
that rider himself. Cooper has gained in
the estimation OF the Bisons By his Hing
ness to enter and ride at Buffalo at the
slightest request when Bald has he'd back
time and again until the last minute. Bald
will probably not be q competitor at Buff
falo next Saturday, although he Is the
halfmile champion himself. and the race
was secured for his home town on this ac-
count.
Chairman Batchelder will make a trip
to Boston this week The announcement
may mean a great deal or nothing but
there is said to be something in the wind
up in Boston which carries with ii a hard
blow 70 l. A. w. racing interests. The
chairman will not say what this is, but
asks all anxious enquirers to watch for his
next bulletin.
No American athlete ever crossed to
France and won the aduIation showerei
A IN n rfca
athlete today stands as popular with all
Europe as does Zimmerman. although it is
several years since the great man from
Jersey has raced there. A traveller just
returned says that to this day the photos
of the great rider are found displayed in
prominent places, and Zimmerman is him
self in receipt OF liberal offers to race there
once more.
Arthur Zimmerman has finally decided to
cover the $500 deposited by Mcfarland and
Stevens with Walter W. Wilson. OF Buffalo
member OF the y. G.. 4. board of control
for match race with Stevens. The half
thousand dollars is the wager on the con-
test. which is to be run at the grounds of
the Asbury Park Athletic Association some
time in August, the exact date to be de-
termined next Saturday, July 90 when
Zimmerman and Stevens will be brought
meet Manager Juth was in Asbury Park
Wednesday to see Zimmerman in regard
to the report that he would be one of the
many to cover the money of Il and Steyie"
at Buffalo. Juth, while in Asbury Park
watched Zimmerman in his training and his
opinion. being worth something owing to
his great experience in the game. is IN
teresting. Zimmerman is riding well,"
said Juth, "and Bald had better look cut
next Sunday"
II is not improbable that before the close
of the present week Leroy See. the Brook
lyn rider. who rides under the colors OF
the New York Athletic Club. will take on
Tommy Harrison. the Buffalo boy, for
an amateur paced match race, the distance
having been left open to discussion. Har-
rison is seventeen and See is about that
age. See is follower of pace par ex-
cellence. having ridden exhibitions back of
pace ever since he was a small lad His
father, Sam See. announced the retirement
of his boy from racing for the year after
his half mile exhibition at Berkeley oval in
0:5I July s. but viii reconsider this in View
of this match race.
The amateur champion of America VIII
be brought forth in series of champion
ship races to be run at the Berkeley Oval
track, August 25 and 26. These races will
include every amateur championship con-
test. the quarter, third, half. mile, two,
and five miles, being included in the com
petition. In these races the winners score
five points, second man three. third man
two, and fourth man one, and the winner
of the greatest number of points is ad-
judged the champion. Under the l. A. W
the winners Of the various championships
other than the mile qualified for the mile
championships and the winner of that con-
test, Frank Kramer, last year, was given
the championship. In addition to these
races the amateur tandem championship
and a middle distance paced championship
contest will be run with some open races.
The heats and the middle distance race
will be run on Friday with the finals on
Saturday afternoon. 4 small army of
amateur riders will be present from all
over the United States. over 1900 anna
teurs are registered with the N C. A.
This will be the greatest amateur meet
States.
John Fisher and Iver Lasson, OF Chicago.
fresh from conquests at the Kansas CITY
Velodrome. reached Berkeley Oval in time
for the meet last Saturday and Immediate
ly created Juror by their riding. Fisher
has long been tipped by Gardiner as a
coming champion and Iver Lasson is a
sprinter of ability. Fisher knows how to
take care Of himself in fast and tricky
company, and earned his place before the
finish OF the day in an earnest argument
with Newhouse of Buffalo,
Team work will he prnished every tfrSa