Page:The fastest bicycle rider in the world - 1928 - Taylor.djvu/74

 again and again how pleased he was at my success on the race tracks. Several times he mentioned what an excellent prophet Mr. Munger proved to be when he forecasted my becoming a champion. "I am very anxious to see you win the championship event this afternoon, Major," said Mr. Zimmerman, "and I feel sure you will, even without a suggestion from me, however, I have one to offer, which aided me greatly in my heyday, and I trust you will give it consideration." Mr. Zimmerman then pointed out the spot on the track at which he advised me to make my "jump," and it was on the back stretch halfway to the last turn. "If you can lead the field into this turn, nobody can pass you before you cross the tape. I made all of my successful sprints from this identical spot." This suggestion on the part of Mr. Zimmerman was to govern my racing tactics in the final heat, the arrangement being that I was to use my own judgment in the qualifying heats.

I thanked Mr. Zimmerman for his kindness in offering this suggestion and assured him I would employ his strategy at all costs in the final heat. I kept my word and won the race which stands out even today as one of my greatest. Hardly had the cheering of the immense throng died away before Mr. Zimmerman and myself repaired to a telegraph office and wired the particulars of the race to our mutual friend and admirer, Mr. Munger.

No group of racing horses ever faced the barrier in a more nervous state than the five riders who were on edge for this championship mile event. Cooper, Bald, Stevens, Gardiner and myself were straining every muscle in an effort to win this classic and thereby get an early edge on the rest of the field for the season's honors. As an indication of how fast the qualifying heats were for our race I might mention that such sterling sprinters as Howard Freeman, "Doc" Brown and Bob Terrill were eliminated, and the speedy Gardiner only won his place in the final heat by winning the extra heat for second man.

The first three laps of that mile race were as hotly contested as any I ever rode in. The pace was terrific. As the bell rang announcing the start of the last lap, and the pacemaker slid out of the picture, there was a mad scramble for final positions. Halfway down the back stretch I made my jump and was leading the field when the turn was made into the home stretch. Bald nearly closed up the gap in a wild sprint but he was not quite equal to the task, falling short by less than a length. Cooper finished at Bald's wheel while Gardner finished fourth, Stevens bringing up the rear. I had kept faith with Mr. Zimmerman and started my sprint at the exact spot he had pointed out to me as he gave me some wonderful advice that forenoon.

Of all the ovations that I ever received the one that crowned my efforts at the Asbury Park track on this memorable occasion will re-