Jimmy Michael
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jimmy Michael |
| Date of birth | August 18, 1877 |
| Date of death | November 21, 1904 (aged 27) |
| Country |  Wales United Kingdom |
| Height | A little over 5' |
| Team information | |
| Discipline | Track |
| Role | Rider |
| Rider type | Stayer |
| Professional team(s) | |
| Simpson Chain Company Gladiator |
|
| Infobox last updated on: | |
| 24 May 2008 | |
Jimmy Michael (18 August 1877–21 November 1904), was a Welsh track cyclist born in Aberaman, Rhondda Cynon Taf, who turned professional in 1895, becoming the World Stayers Champion the same year. He was coached by Choppy Warburton and trained with the help of Arthur Linton. A combination of Michaels success and Lintons dissapointing season in 1902 saw their relationship sour. Following Lintons death, Michael cut off all contact with Warburton and moved to the United States where he had considerable success and made his fortune. He retired from cycling to become a jockey, and later owned a racing stable. When this venture failed he decided to return to the US, but died aboard the liner Savoie crossing to New York in 1904. The cause of death was noted as delirium tremens, probably brought on by excessive drinking.[1]
Michael was also drawn by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, the famous French art nouveau artist, for a poster to advertise his sponsor at the time, the Simpson chain company.[2] The National Museum of Wales purchased one of the posters in the 1960s although it is not on display.[3]
[edit] Palmarès
- 1895
- 1st World Stayers Championships - Professional
- 1902
- 3rd European Stayers Championships - Professional
[edit] References
- Encyclopédie mondiale du cyclisme (Pascal Sergent - Editions de Eecloonaar)
- Memoire-du-cyclisme.net
- ^ Library Service Heritage Trail - Aberaman.
- ^ Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.
- ^ Anthony Brockway (14 May 2006). Toulouse-Lautrec and the Welsh Cyclist.
