Jimmy Michael, the ‘Mighty Atom’, qualifies as one of the greatest, and probably controversial, Welsh sportsmen of all-time. The first British cyclist to capture a world title, he thrilled crowds around the world and earned a fortune from his prowess in the saddle. He also transferred his skills to horse racing in America for a while before dying in tragic circumstances on board a liner heading for America. At the age of 27, and suffering from a fractured skull picked up in a racing accident, he died an alcoholic.
His rivalry with the Linton family, Arthur, Tom and Samuel, gave him plenty of local competition, but he went on to win races and titles, and break records, all over the world.
He became the World Professional 100 Kilometre paced cycling champion in Cologne at the age of 18 and re-wrote the record books during his career. He covered 28 miles and 1,000 yards in an hour and attracted crowds of 22,000 to watch him at the Paris Velodrome. He won Welsh titles at five and 50 miles
James Michael (Cyclist) Born in Aberaman on 18 August, 1877; Died on board a ship in the Atlantic Ocean on 21 November, 1904
