The New York herald., 1921-12-05
TWO O'CLOCK SCORE.
tSECOND HOUR.)
By HENRY v. KING.

With the old Garden resounding in
cheers from a big crowd Of FANS the
tnirty-first annual six day bicycle race
began in Madison Square Garden at one
minute after last midnight. More than
a score of riders, representing more than
II IL dozen nations, started on the long
journey. Sixteen teams make up the
programme and on them are the most
Il nous riders in the world. There are
nc holdouts this year as there were last
season, when a score OF noted riders
were trying to burst the Jersay trust.
All are back in the fold, with the result
the race is the most open one held in
years.
Jake Magln, who was injured in
sprint race last Saturday night. was not
among the starters last night. Drobach
substituted for Magin and is teamed
with Hanley.
Pace Fast From start.
The pace during the first hour was fast
Almost as soon as the crowd had ceased
cheering the riders as they wheeled
past in parade they were aroused to
high pitch OF enthusiasm when Peter
Van kempen of the Holland-Belgium
team sped up from last place and led
the pack a merry chase at a terrific
pace. He didn't sprint he just sat down
and rode extremely fast, lap after lap.
SO fast was it that several of the riders
found it too much for them and called
for assistance from their partners.
When he finally quit ALI Goullett went
to the front. and,as in former years, he
was greeted with round after round OF
oooes and Kisses from the galleries, who
dislike him.
The first five miles of the race was
covered in 11:55 3-5. with Charles De
Ruyter. who had relieved Van Kempen,
leading. There were several unofficial
sprints for prizes donated from the spec
tators during the first hour.
The Belgians, Van Hevel and Marcel
.Buyse, won most of these. and just be-
fore 1 o'clock Van Heyel darted away
from the field after finishing in front
IN sprint. and quickly gained twenty
yards on his opponents. His attempt
to steal lap was feeble one. and he
was caught before he had made a cir
cult OF the track.
Maurice Brocco. the popular little
Italian. and Alf Goullet are the favor
ties. They are teamed up and close fol-
lowers of the sport declare that the
team that beats them will be returned
the victor Both have tremendous speed
and can ride for a week without diff
Guilty.
Italy has two teams which promise to
furnish most of the contention i'm the
sprints and jams during the early part
of the race. They are Constante Girar-
dingc and Francisco Verri and Gaetano
Bellcni and Orlando Piani. These four
italians can make wheel jump over
Che track as fast az almost any man,
but none OF them has yet shown that
he likes to travel such long journey as
will be necessary TO win this race.
Coburn and Rutt Teamed.
While Coburn OF New York Is
matched up with Walter Rutt OF Ger
many. Five years ago Rutt would have
been the favorite Irrespective OF his
partner. But he is getting old. and he
proved in his race last year that he has
lost some OF his speed and stamina Co.
burn Is veteran who seems to improve
with age. and IL would not be a surprise
Il he pulled Rutt through to victory.
Jackie Clark and Alfred Grenda form
a team which will take a great pair 20
beat during the first few days They
tire veterans with plenty Of speed, but
age seems to be sapping their strength.
and their sprints grow weaker as the
week rolls on.
Eddie Madden and Reggie Mcnamara
make another strong team. Both are in
tip top shape and each is confident he
will hold his mileage and score many
points in the sprints.