AN INTERVIEW WITH THE CHAMPION.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 713, 8 January 1903, Page 3

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE CHAMPION.

On arrival in Sydney by the Ventura on December 20th, Major Taylor, the champion cyclist of the world, who has come out to Australia on a racing tour, was interviewed by the Daily Telegraph as to his performances, and the men whom he had defeated. He was suffering from the effects of sea-sickness, and had not tasted food since leaving Auckland, but he expressed the belief that he would soon get into form. They won’t want you to ride on Sunday here, Major,” interjected Frank Walter, an American rider, who had gone off to welcome his compatriot, “ They won’t even let you train on Sunday.” I’m glad to hear it,” responded the champion. "I’m glad I’m not among heathens, like the people on the Continent.” This naturally provoked a reference to the world's championships, and tho visitor was asked if it were a fact that he would not ride in them because they wero ridden on the Sabbath. “ Quite true,” he said. “ Why, in Paris they run a six days’ raoe iato eight days, so as to get two Sundays into it.” In response to a question as to who was tho best rider in Europe, he said “ Ellegaard, tho holder of the world’s championship, is far and away the best, better than Momo, Ruit, Arend, or Jacqueiin. In fact, the famous Frenchman is becoming somewhat of a back number.”

" You met these ridors on your recent European tour ? ” “ Yes, I met them ail this year in Europe, and defeated them all both in matches and in open contests.” | «Do you Know that the world’s mile is down to lmin 15 ‘2-sth sec ? ” “ No, I hadn’t heard that. It i 3 a great ride. So Gontenent holds the mile. Do I think I could break it in Australia V Well, I might if I get really well. I have ridden a mile in lmin 17sec iu private, and on a good traok and behind a good motor I do not see why I should not break lmin 15 2-othsoc. Anyhow, if 1 strike my true form, 1 am willing to have a try. Do I know Coutenent ? Yes, 1 trained on the same track with him in Paris when I was last there. He is quite a little fellow, but a great rider. I nevermet him in competition, because he is a pace followor. Yes, I havo followed pace, and have raced Michael and Linton behind machines, but only for very short distances. I would race anyone behind pace for a mile, but, as a rule, the pacefollowers prefer a race over 20, 30, 40, or even 50 miles. That sort of work requires a special preparation, and you can’t go in for it and sprint at the same timo. 11 Do you know Bobl, the German rider, who is at present in Australia'? ” n Yes. He is one of the best pace followers in the world. No Australian rider will be ablo to extend him behind pace. You may have men hero who would mako good pace followers, but you cannot make a champion behind pace in a w'eek, nor yet in a season. Bobl will havo no ono to raco in Australia.” [ Major Taylor then turned interviewer ; himself. When told that the Sydney ' crickot ground track was ono of tho best in tho world, ho expressed pleasure, but said tho racing would look more interesting ' on a smaller track. Asked whether the 3 big tracks were not faster, ho replied that 3 the Buffalo, where no doubt Gontenent ’• had made the now mile record, was a sixlap track.