Page:The fastest bicycle rider in the world - 1928 - Taylor.djvu/173



Under the old order promulgated by the League of American Wheelmen, the winner of each championship event on the National Circuit Tracks was declared the champion of the season for the distance ridden, but in the season of 1900 it was decided that a series of championship races would be held at the various distances on the several tracks of the country in the National Circuit, the winner of each event being allowed a certain number of points. At the close of the season the rider having the most points for the one mile championship races was declared the one-mile champion and so on through the list of other distances. The rider having won the greatest aggregate number of points was declared unreservedly the National Champion of his class, either amateur or professional.

I quote as follows from the “Cycle Age” of October 4, 1900:

“American Championship Decided by Points. Now that the championship races of 1900 are over and Major Taylor has been officially declared National Champion, the thought arises that the method of deciding champions under the new regime is much more satisfactory than under the old.

“When a championship depends upon one race it may be won by a rider who is not in reality the champion by merit. For instance, in the International Championship Race at Paris this summer, the French rider, Jacquelin, gained the title of International Champion. Immediately following this International meet came the Paris Exposition of even greater importance from standpoints of competitors, prizes, crowds, etc., and Jacquelin failed to defend his crown, being beaten by Meyers and Cooper. Jacquelin has also been beaten well in several almost successive races since the International meet.

“When a championship is won, as Major has won the 1900 National Championship, by a series of races, it shows conclusively that the winner is the true champion. The champion point table shows forty points for Taylor as against twenty for Frank Kramer his nearest competitor. He is without doubt the best sprint race rider of the aggregation with which he raced.”

A New York daily printed the following article relative to the 1900 bicycle championship:

“Major Taylor Is Champion. Worcester Whirlwind Proves Himself the Fastest Man of the Year. The championship among sprinters for the season has been won by Major Taylor, the colored boy, who also was champion last year under the L. A. W. He has now