20 kilometres, Men

The 20-kilometer track event was a paced event. Apparently, the cyclists could have either motor-pacing or tandem pacers, as there is a picture in the Official Report showing the final, one rider paced by a tandem, one by a motorized gurney.

The winner of the race, Billy Pett, was paced by the tandem gold medalists at the Athens Olympics, Johnnie Matthews and Arthur Rushen. However, Pett was a very accomplished cyclist. He had already won three NCU titles at 50 miles, and in 1905 he was the runner-up at the world championships in the motor-paced event at Antwerp. He did not take up cycling until he was 20 years old and he was definitely a true amateur. He was employed in the wine cellars at Harrod’s working from 8 AM to 7 PM and was able to compete only on weekends.

Later in 1906, the runner-up at Athens, Maurice Bardonneau, won the world championships in Geneva in the motor-paced event. Pett did not finish in the top three and it is not known if he competed.