although moore's race has been widely considered the first, the dutch historian benjie maso says it was the second and that the first was won by a rider called polocini. (see below for more on the "first race" mystery). the favourite for the second event was françois drouet who was the early leader. at half way james moore took the lead, breaking clear "at the speed of lightning", according to "cycling record", and won in 3 minutes and 50 seconds to the "frenetic hurrahs" of the crowd. moore and polocini were presented with gold medals worth one hundred francs awarded by the compagnie parisienne. moore's was engraved with his name and carried the effigy of napoleon iii. what is believed to have been the first cycle race in britain took place at the welsh harp the day after moore won in the parc de st-cloud. the race was won by arthur markham, who for many years had a bicycle shop nearby at 345 edgware road.