Cycling, in the bookstore the story of “Major” Taylor, “the flying black”

The story of ‘Major’ Taylor, the unrivaled champion of the track and the first ever black cyclist, arrives in the bookstore: “The flying negro”, from one of his many nicknames, for the types of Edicycle. “Marshall” Major “Taylor – reads the synopsis of the publishing house – was born in Indianapolis in 1878 to parents who were sons of slaves. Due to a series of random circumstances, as a boy he is one of the few African Americans who owns a bicycle. At the age of 18 he passes between professionals and specializes in speed racing on the track where he imposes himself on the best racers on the American circuit. Hailed by the press as “black diamond”, “black meteor”, “flying negro”, he is the first black cyclist and is forced to tackle racism “. According to the prefator, Stefano Pivato, his presence anticipates by decades the stories normally taken as an example of ethnic redemption such as those of Ali or Owens: “in reality, the reconstruction of the Major Taylor story tells us that the relationship between sport and racism arises from parts of Indianapolis a few years after the end of the Civil War and riding a bicycle. ” “Envy and racial prejudice cause some of the cycling institutions and white riders to do everything to jeopardize his career. In the Southern States, race organizers prevent him from racing and hotel and restaurant owners refuse to host him. . Taylor, with determination and courage, however, continues to collect victories in the United States and in Europe, establishing himself as the fastest cyclist in the world “.