Page:The fastest bicycle rider in the world - 1928 - Taylor.djvu/80

 Shortly after I had reached my dressing room and was being rubbed down by my trainer, all of the riders who participated in the program that afternoon came rushing into my quarters. Naturally I was frightened, having in mind the threat I overheard, and the warning given me by one of the spectators just before the two-mile race started. However, I was due for a very pleasant surprise when every one of the riders shook my hand in turn, and congratulated me on my two championship victories during the afternoon.

It was the first time in my career that any of my so-called “big” competitors had ever congratulated me for any of my achievements on the track. I was elated, naturally, at this turn of affairs and the satisfaction that I had in having my rivals congratulate me for my successes that day was worth considerably more to me than the prize money I took home. It was the first manifestation of good sportsmanship on the part of my opponents. I felt that their action was a demonstration of their admiration and respect for me as a man and that meant far more to me than even the special purse which was offered the winner of this two-mile race. Incidentally, their action proved my contention that the spirit of true sportsmanship will bring out, or at least should bring out the highest qualities and very best motives that a man can possibly possess. I also beat the field out at a night meet on the Woodside track, Philadelphia, in a hard run mile open event, making a total of three first places in the same day.