Yes, it’s an ad campaign for Hennessy, but regardless it’s a great story and one that’s seldom told.
Major Taylor became a professional racer in 1896, at the age of 18, and won the sprint event at the 1899 world track championships in Montreal to become the first African American to earn the title of world champion. He was just the second black athlete to win a world championship in any sport.
Hennessy is also honoring Major Taylor with an ESPN documentary, a statue, and a cycling apparel line.
The making of video below is worth a watch as well.