Waterbury Democrat., 1901-04-15
BATTLE OF THE PAGE.
Many Fast Flyers Will Take part in
 Middle Distance Cycle Racing.

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 Middle distance is to have q big re- yiyal this season and the indications are that these striking events will re- gain their former popularity with the cycling public.
 The first important match of the sea- son will take place on Patriots Day, April 19. at Charles River park. 1t will be a three-cornered affair between Nelson, W1althour and Stinson, moter paced, at twenty-five miles. Nelson left California Wednesday and will be at at the Hub tomorrow night. He is reported to be in great condition and his friends predict for him an easy victory.
 Walthour will also arrive in Boston from Jacksonville on Monday. He, too, has had the benefit of training in the Sunny South'' and his admirers are equally sanguine.
 StinsOn has had to contend with a very bleak New England Spring and most of his preparation has been done on a home trainer. The chances of 1 the hour record holder are therefor considered less good than his op- ponents. Tn this kind of racing al- most everything depends on pace, and here Walthour will have big advant- age. for the teams of Michael and Bikes who have been training for weeks in the south will do his pacing.
 This is practically the first middle distance race for Walthour. He tried a little last year, but was handicapped by wretched pacing. Tom Eek will handle him the coming race. Nelson will also be exceptionally we'll equip ped in this respect
 l Eddie" McDuffee intends to chal- lenge the winner of the race ii ride for side bet of S25O at the track of l fering the best inducements. Jimmy Michael's old handler, Dave Shafer, will look after McDuffee this season. 1 At the present time Michael is own manager. He trained harder at Jack sonville than he ever did in his life, and those who have sene him say the | Welsh s'rarabit" is q stronger and fast CT man to-day than he was when the king of lniddle-distance racing
 It is said that the midget intends to engage in a lot of three and four cor nered matches at his fayorite dis tances. There is talk of series of ! fol1r-cornered matches between Mich ael. Bikes, Mcfarland and Nelson to decide the championship of America. These matches will probably take place at Boston. New York and Phi1a- delphia if the plans go through. Among the novelties to be intro- l duced this season at one of the big tracks will be a motor paced steam l race, with Nelson and Mcfarland pit ted against Bikes and Michael This would De a two-hour contest, each competitor riding an hour
 I The first big match is scheduled at | Ambrose park on Decoration day be- i tween Harry Bikes and Michael. The men will race for side bet of S25O and a liberal share of the gate receints. This match will not fail to come off if l "PoD" Bikes succeeds in getting the track in shape. It will require several weeks and a good-sized roll of money l to repair it.
 l Manhattan Reach track will be managed by William A. Bray He has 1 decided to schedule his first met on
 June 15, instead of May 5, when Fred l Voigt will open the season .at Vails- burg. This track has been rebanked, 1 and is now one of the best in the coun- i try. M
 It is guaranteed as track that will allow a motor-tandem to travel at the
 rate of minute 15 seconds for a mile.