Page:The fastest bicycle rider in the world - 1928 - Taylor.djvu/446

424 of praise not often dealt out to an athlete. The 'Referee' in speaking of Taylor's retirement says:

The retirement of Major Taylor is quite an event in the cycling world, that is, presuming the report is correct, for it is no uncommon thing for a star to be retiring annually.

But in Major Taylor's case the probabilities are that he has really had enough of the racing game. No doubt he could keep on successfully for another year or two longer but his retirement would be compulsory in the near future, and as he had made considerable money, and has had the good sense to take care of it, he can well afford to leave the dangerous game of racing alone.

It is not likely, however, that we shall look on his like again for some time. In my opinion he was the greatest racing cyclist the world has ever seen, and, as I pointed out only recently, that his wonderful record was gained under very often the most adverse conditions; for he was hustled and hated as only a colored person can be by the superior men in God's country; and he did not always receive fair play on the Continent, or even here in Australia.

Had he not been a marvel of pluck, speed, and skill, he would not only have been the world's very best, but he would have either been killed outright or disabled years ago. Cycle-racing is a very dangerous game, even under ordinary conditions, but when deliberate fouling is introduced, it is then too risky for even the most daring, yet Major Taylor often had to chance it.

Like all other mortals, however, he had his failings, but he was one of the straightest athletes that ever entered the arena. Although his absence will be a great loss to the sport, all admirers of a great cyclist and an honorable one will wish him the very best of luck for the future.