International Competitive Bicyclist
1904-1969
Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Victor Morice Hopkins competed from 1921 to 1934, ten years professionally. He represented the United States in the 1924 Olympics in Paris as America’s number one road racer. He set an amateur world record at the five mile distance at the age of 17. He defeated World MotorPace champions in competitions here and in Europe. Victor Hopkins was the 1926 MotorPace Champion of the United States. He was fondly thought of and respected for his powerful riding by Alf Goullet, Freddie Spencer, Sergio Matteini, Sammy Gastman and Jack Simes.
When he retired, he started his family in Nutley residing at 500 Kingsland Street. With his wife Katherine, they raised three sons, Victor, Stephen and Harry. Harry commented, “You could find Vic every Christmas at 500 Kingsland selling Christmas trees from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve. He was active in politics. Harry Chenoweth, John Lucy and many others could be found at 500 Kingsland discussing politics. He retired from the Essex County Sheriffs department and then worked for public works in Newark until his death in December 1969.”
Amateur Career: 1921-1924 Hopkins was a member of the Davenport Cycling Club trained by Worthington L. Mitten, famous six day rider, motorpacer, bicycler and tire maker. He was also a member of the Century Road Club Association. His amateur career spanned the years 1921 through 1924, during which he set the record for the five mile distance. He won the Chicago Tribune Derby at Humboldt Park in 1923 scoring more points than all members of any one team. He established the second fastest time from Milwaukee to Humboldt Park, Chicago, IL, in the Mid-West Regional Road Race Tryouts in May 1924 with a time of 5 hours, 29’192/5″ and qualified for the Olympic Finals. In June 1924 at the Road Race Finals in Paterson, NJ, he established the fastest time of 6 hours, 09’21 3/10″ on a course where riders rode with and against vehicle traffic. In July 1924 he placed fifth in the 75 mile Pre Olympic Criterium International, in St. Quentin, France. French road race teams took the first four places. Hopkins suffered a fall, bent his bike frame back into shape and finished 5’20” behind the winning time. Later that month at the Olympic Road Race in Paris, France, he had the third fastest time when he suffered an accident outside Gisors. He wrecked his bicycle at an unmarked railroad crossing which damaged his wheel. He walked three miles to effect repairs.
Professional Career: 1924-1934 Hopkins turned professional upon his return from the Olympics. He was signed by John Chapman to compete in 1924 Chicago and New York six day races. He competed in about half a dozen of these races during his career. From 1925 to 1934, he competed for Chapman in MotorPacing events. He established himself as a strong pace follower. Nicknamed Iowa “Plow Boy,” “Hurry Up,” and his most famous “Let Her Flicker,” he rode the circuit for nine years.
In 1926, Hopkins was the American MotorPace Champion, a title based upon 35 championship races conducted by John Chapman. Hopkins competed in only 26 of these races. He replaced an injured rider for the twelfth race. After winning his first two races, Frank Kramer, Chairman of the Board of Control for the National Cycling Association decided to keep him in the championship series. He won his first five races. He shot past Vince Madonna of Italy, George Chapman (six time champion) and Robert Grassin (1925 World MotorPace Champion) from France and into a tie for first place with Frank Kennan from Boston. Hopkins and Kennan both had 71 points with Kennan competing in all 36 races and Hopkins in 26. A tie breaking 50 mile race was held. Hopkins led wire to wire to win the title. According to the late Fred Spencer, no one ever entered the championship series when it was one-third over or in their first year competing and won.
Victor Hopkins won many specialty MotorPace Races including the Charter Oak Stakes in 1926, the Bronx Sweepstakes in 1926, the Eddie Leonard Cup in 1927, the North Shore Cup in 1928, the Velodrome Sweepstakes in 1926, The World’s Derby Cup in 1927, the Race of Nations in 1926 and numerous Golden Wheel races.
Hopkins received contract offers in 1927 and 1928 for European motorpacing. He turned down the 1927 offer at the request of Chapman who promised him races in the United States. Hopkins sustained a broken collar bone in a horrible training accident and could not defend his title in 1927. He accepted the 1928 offer by French promoter DeMaree. He won numerous races in Europe. He defeated many well-known national and world champion pacers. He competed in the Prix de Walthour in Lyons, France. He raced in Switzerland, France, Belgium and Germany. He returned to Europe in 1932 and raced successfully until offered a contract to ride at the Nutley Velodrome in June 1933. He retired from racing in the summer of 1934.