The Washington times., 1902-03-31
CHAMPIONS FAST
RIDE BEHIND MOTOR
Does a Mile in I:25 As at
Coliseum Track.
1T WAS AN UNOFFICIAL FEAT
Expects to Do the Trick in Better Time
When Regular Racing Begins-Work
of the Riders on Local Bowl Shows I'm
provement.

The yellow belt of timber at the Coli
scum Cycle Track fairly sizzled yesterday
morning when Albert Champion, the
French cyclist completed the tenth mile
of his workout and accomplished the
wonderful feat of riding a mile behind
pace in :25 As. beating the worlds record
for six lap track by exactly one second.
While the record will not go down in the
books as being ofiicial. it proves beyond
any doubt that the Coliseum track is the
fastest in America. and that records will
receive terrible blow when the real rae
ing begins
The weather for cycling yesterday was
perfect. and the fact that two of the best
professional riders in America were train
ing at the track brought out large crowd
to witness the work. II was not to be
expected that the msn would attempt fast
work so early in the season. but Cham
pion was in racing shape and felt
like indulging in some fast riding. and as
Mr. Eckhardt, who is In charge OF James
c. Kennedy's combination thought u few
fast miles would not hurt his man. Cham
pion got permission to speed himself.
Started to Sprint.
When Champion had gone eight miles
at An average speed Of 1888 Mr.. Eckhardt
called out to De Roster. who rode on the
rear seat of the motor tandem. to let out
few links and see how fast Champion
could ride. The Frenchman seemed to
realize almost instantly that there was
something doing" and no sooner had De
Roster turned on the speed lever than the
swift pace follower was ready for the
jump. The tandem began to 90 at q ter
rife pace. and at each lap the speed was
increased When the timers called out
last mile" the machine fairly few. draw
ing Champion with 1t until it seemed that
he was part Of 1t. When the bell rang for
the last lap the puffing motor made the
circuit in the fastest time ever made.
1t was 1:24 As, and when it was an
nounced there was great cheering. for the
crowd understood at once that the French
man had created new record. The last
lap was covered in thirteen seconds. which
shows that the men were travelling at
Is gait.
How Champion Felt.
Champion was seen in his training quar-
ters by Times reporter after he finished
riding. He said: 4
Il did not seem to mind the ride at ALL
l knew ! was cutting out miles around
1:30. but never for an instant did l feel
distressed and l am sure by next Sunday
L Will ride a mile under %. OF course
the big motor and the splendid condition
OF the track aided me greatly. and must
admit the track is the fastest | have
ever ridden on. and l have had a try at
every track in Europe and America"
The motor tandem which brought Cham
pion around SO fast is certainly a fine
piece Of work and yesterday was the
first time IL was ever ridden in this coun-
try. The motor is OF the latest De- Dion
Bouton air cooling type. and has made
many records in Paris. There are only
five of this style of motor in existence,
and three of these are now in Mr.. Ken
nedy's possession. so 1t looks very much
as If his two stars-Tommy Hall and AL
bert Champion-will be first in line when
the prizes are distributed the coming sea-
SON.
Freddie Vetter. who was one of Jimmy
Michaels outfit last season. rode on the
front seat with De Roster yesterday and
will continue to do so for the balance of
the season. Oscar julius and AL New
house. the well-known riders. have also
arrived in town and will form the other
team to do the pacing for Mr.. Kennedy.
New Pacing Machine "oee."
AS it is the custom to give these fast
pacing machines appropriate names. Mr..
Eckhardt has christened the new motor
1888" in honor OF the Empire State ex-
press
The local cycle racing game has taken
a great boom in the last two weeks. and
the coming season promises to be the
most prosperous that Washington has en-
joyed in many years. All of the oldtine
amateurs have announced their Intention
OF racing again. and from now on the
Coliseum will be lively spot.
Mr.. Whitman Osgood. the new manager
of the track. has already gained the con-
fdence of the riders aad the public feels
that he will give this city nothing but the
best.