Jimmy Michael

Infobox Cyclist
ridername = Jimmy Michael


fullname = Jimmy Michael
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date|1877|8|18
dateofdeath = death date and age|1904|11|21|1877|8|18
country = WAL
GBR
height = A little over 5'
weight =
currentteam =
discipline = Track
role = Rider
ridertype = Stayer
amateuryears =
amateurteams =
proyears =
proteams = Simpson Chain Company
Gladiator
majorwins =
updated = 24 May 2008

Jimmy Michael (18 August 1877–21 November 1904), was a Welsh track cyclist born in Aberaman, Rhondda Cynon Taff, who turned professional in 1895, becoming world stayer (motor-paced) champion the same year. He was coached by Choppy Warburton and trained with the help of Arthur Linton. A combination of Michael's success and Linton's disappointing season in 1902 saw their relationship sour. Following Linton's death, Michael cut contact with Warburton and moved to the United States where he had 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 drinking. [cite web| url=http://webapps.rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk/heritagetrail/cynon/aberaman/aberaman.htm |title=Library Service Heritage Trail - Aberaman| publihser=Rhondda Cynon Taff]

Michael was also drawn by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, the French art nouveau artist, for a poster to advertise his sponsor, the Simpson chain company. [cite web|url=http://www.toulouselautrec.free.fr/affiches3_en.htm#7|title=Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec] The National Museum of Wales bought one of the posters in the 1960s although it is not on display. [cite web|url=http://babylonwales.blogspot.com/2006_05_01_archive.html| title= Toulouse-Lautrec and the Welsh Cyclist| author=Anthony Brockway |date=14 May 2006]

Palmarès

;1895:1st World Stayers Championships - Professional;1902:3rd European Stayers Championships - Professional

References

*"Encyclopédie mondiale du cyclisme (Pascal Sergent - Editions de Eecloonaar)"
* [http://www.memoire-du-cyclisme.net/lexique/lexique_m.php Memoire-du-cyclisme.net]

External links

* [http://imageevent.com/dernysportuk/stayersukpastyears Photographs of cyclists - including Jimmy Michael]