Ted Smith was US Omnium Champion in 1945, 1947, and 1948. Considered a top hope for the US in the 1948 Olympic road race, the US officials dropped him from that event after he rode in some local British events against their instructions, which Smith said he needed to ride to familiarize himself with the derailleur, which was still rarely used in the United States. Smith turned professional after the London Olympics, riding mainly in 6-day races, although he raced in kermesses in Belgium in 1950. He rode in the World Championships in 1950 but did not finish, after flatting. In 1950 he was recruited to the Army Air Corps and served in Korea, returning to cycling in the States as a domestic amateur in 1956.
United States