Arthur Linton
 |
|
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Arthur Vincent Linton |
| Born |
28 November 1868 Seavington St Michael, England |
| Died | 23 July 1896 (aged 27) Aberaman, Wales |
| Team information | |
| Current team | Retired |
| Discipline | Road |
| Role | Rider |
| Amateur team(s) | |
| 1890–1893 | – |
| Professional team(s) | |
| 1893–1896 | – |
| Major wins | |
| 1896 Bordeaux–Paris | |
Arthur Vincent Linton (28 November 1868 – 23 July 1896) was a British road bicycle racer. He is best known for winning the Bordeaux–Paris road race in 1896 and for breaking the world one-hour unpaced cycling record. His death just two months after the 1896 Bordeaux–Paris is steeped in controversy with some commentators speculating that his demise was caused by doping.
Linton was born in 1868 in Seavington St Michael, Somerset in England to John, innkeeper of the 'Volunteer', and his wife Sarah. There is disagreement as to Linton's date of birth, with many sources stating he was born in 1872, though this is challenged by the 1881 Census which returns the date of 1868. The family moved to south Wales when Linton was three. Linton grew up in the Welsh coal mining village of Aberaman, and at the age of 12 began working down the mine at the Treaman colliery as a door-boy, later becoming a haulier. One of four brothers, his eldest brother John was also a coal miner, but it was Linton's passion for cycling that enthused his two younger brothers Tom and Samuel, both of whom were successful bike racers. Linton himself began making a name for himself as a cyclist whilst still a teen. His first bike was a penny-farthing, but he later switched to a safety bicycle, a more suitable and lower racing bike.
By 1890 Linton had entered and won several races both in South Wales and in England. His brother Samuel was also succeeding as a racer, but after a few accidents he gave the sport up. In 1893 Linton entered the 24-hour 'Cuca Cocoa Challenge Cup' in London, and despite leading at one stage he was forced to retire after coming under intense pressure from the eventual winner, England's Frank Shorland. In the summer of 1893 Linton entered the 'Gold Cup' held at Fallowfield Stadium in Manchester. Linton overcame a strong field to be crowned champion and was spotted by ex-champion sprinter, James "Choppy" Warburton. Warburton became Linton's manager and he accepted a professional contract with Gladiator Cycles.
In the winter of 1893 Linton and Warburton travelled to France to undertake a season of competitive races at the Vélodrome d'hiver in central Paris. Shortly before leaving for France, Warburton had arranged for Linton to undertake a challenge for the world One-Hundred Miles Record at the newly built Herne Hill Velodrome in London. When Linton broke the record it raised his profile higher, even before his arrival in Paris. Linton's time in France was a success, winning many races and beating several champion opponents.
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