George Leander

George Leander (12 May 1883 – 23 August 1904) was an American track cyclist. He became professional in 1902.

George Leander

Personal information
Born	(1883-05-12)12 May 1883 Chicago, United States
Died	23 August 1904(1904-08-23) (aged 21) Paris, France
Sport
Sport	Track cycling

Leander was one of the first generation of six-day cyclists. He won the Six Days of New York in 1902 at Madison Square Garden together with Floyd Krebs. He finished second a year later with Nat Butler behind Robert Walthour and Ben Munroe.[1] He became the first American stayer champion in 1903.[2]

Due to his success in the United States, Leander started competing in Europe during the summer of 1904 and won multiple competitions. On 23 August 1904 he died as a result of a fall during a stayer competition in Paris, France, aged 21. While traveling at the rate of 92 kilometres per hour (57 mph), Leander was attempting to pass another cyclist when his bicycle slipped on the track and he had a terrible crash. He was taken to an area hospital but never regained consciousness.[2][3]