Page:The fastest bicycle rider in the world - 1928 - Taylor.djvu/146

 Control. Major found Kimble, Stone, and Kunkle in his heat, and although at one time it seemed as if the Black Streak was safely pocketed, on the back stretch Stone swung a trifle wide just entering the last turn and like a flash Taylor jumped through on the pole and was yards away from danger. Kimble was out after him like mad, but not dangerously close. The heat was a loaf and the time was so slow that the riders in the second heat put up a stiff argument for the two coveted places, which meant the winners thereof were certain of competing in the final. Kramer outsprinted Kiser, who was too much for Newhouse and Maya.

“The management put in Johnnie Fisher to pace the final. Kiser declined the pacemaker’s rear wheel but Taylor accepted it with the two white boys trailing. On the last lap Major Taylor swung wide up the bank carrying the other two with him. Frank Kramer shot out in front with a dash for the tape, but Taylor began a terrible sprint that carried him right past the others and landed him a winner by yards; Earl Kiser finished in second place with Frank Kramer third, the time being 1:04.

“The victory was so impressive that spectators were convinced that if America is to have a white champion this year Major Taylor is the man they will have to defeat for the honor. Major Taylor received a thunderous ovation.

“Otto Maya won the two-mile handicap event from the 150-yard mark. Frank Kramer barely beat out Major Taylor for second place, who in turn was a nose in front of Newhouse, who was hard pressed by Kiser. The time was 4:09. In this event Major Taylor and Frank Kramer rode from scratch. Newhouse had a handicap of 90 yards, while Kiser started from the 25-yard line, and Owen Kimble, who failed to place, had a handicap of 30 yards.”