Lance who? When it comes to cycling champions, Major Taylor is the man.

MAJOR TAYLOR — “THE WORCESTER WHIRLWINDâ€?

INTRODUCTION
At the turn of the last century, bicycle races could fill Madison Square Garden in New York
City, and the biggest draw of all was Major Taylor, “the Worcester Whirlwind.� He was the
second black world champion in any sport and the first African-American athlete to achieve
international fame — half a century before baseball’s Jackie Robinson “integratedâ€? the Brooklyn
Dodgers. Major Taylor had to fight prejudice just to get to the starting line. He endured hostility
with remarkable dignity and became the 1899 world champion and “The Fastest Bicycle Rider in
the World,� the fitting title of his autobiography.