[faksta]

III Cup for Society of Cycling.

The last of three races for Society of Cycling was an opening event in 1901. Such small number of entrants – four in general, among which was only one car – was caused by an absolutely awful weather – in the mid-March (March, 17 to be precise) all the snow in Russia began to melt, and the road was hardly driveable. The only mentioned car was a Clement entered by Barbais. Among the others – one two-seater quadricycle (driven by Genrik) and two tricycles (Alekseev and Suurmets). The distance through the Volhonskoe ave (about 65 versts) was done best by Suurmets, while Genrik and Barbais finished just in the evening and Alekseev retired.

Results:

1. Samuel Suurmets – 3:58’30 (av.speed 17.444kmh)
2. J.G.Genrik
3. Barbais (Clement)
DNF Alekseev (tricycle)

St.-Petersberg – Gatchina – St.-Petersberg.

This race, organized by Samokat magazine, was held up on April, 24 (some say, 29). This time only one tricycle and some cars arrived to compete each other. The first on the 68-verst distance was J.G.Genrik on Mors 6hp, second – Mazy, who drove Russian produced Starley-Clement equipped with a DeDion-Bouton 3.5hp engine and 2-speed transmission, Postnikov on tricycle was third, and Fomin driving his car came fourth. The rest participants didn’t finish.

Results:

1. J.G.Genrik (Mors 6hp) – 2:37’00 (27.723kmh)
2. Louis Mazy (Starley-Clement) - 2:42
3. Boris Postnikov – 2:51
4. Fomin – 2:52’30
Rest – DNF

First Volhonka verst race.

May, 25 saw a brand-new type of racing in Russia, that was called verst racing. Best drivers arrived to Volhonskoe ave. to try their best in runs for highest speed at 1 verst (1,067km) distance. Because of the violent wind it was agreed to complete a verst in both sides – first, following the wind with a dead start and then, with a 5 minutes rest - driving against the wind, this time with a flying start. Three classes were present – bicycles, motorcycles and cars. Drivers could run two times, but each time on different machines. The public didn’t show any interest in such competitions. Moreover, some problems with timing occurred, but the experiment was very successful, and verst racing became a traditional form of racing for Russian Empire.
First ever Volhonka verst race in motorcycles class was won by Boris Postnikov. The cars category prize was taken by Louis Mazy. Both made two attempts. To be said, results that were showed, differed strongly for both directions (with wind and against it).

Winners (time – min:sec’tenths):

Motorcycles – Boris Postnikov:
1st attempt: Psycho-Starley 1.32hp motorcycle (32kg). Dead start – 3:26’4 (18.6kmh). Flying start – 1:42’0 (37.6 kmh).
2nd attempt: Clement-DeDion 1.75hp tricycle. Dead start – 2:42’8 (23.6kmh). Flying start – 1:17’8 (49.4kmh).
Cars – Louis Mazy:
1st attempt: 499cc Starley-Clement 3.5hp two-seater (seemingly the one from St.-Petersberg – Gatchina – St.-Petersberg race). Dead start – 2:44’2 (23.4kmh). Flying start – 1:24’6 (45.3kmh).
2nd attempt: Bardone 8hp three-seater. Dead start – 2:44’0 (23.4kmh). Flying start – 1:37’8 (39.2kmh).

Unfortunately, these results can’t be considered serious, as the World record already equaled 105,88kmh. Moreover, World record for a bicycle was.. higher than Mazy’s result – 69,231kmh.