From the very little I've read about things, sports outside the US were a lot less divided.
Major Taylor was abused in several ways on and off the track in the US, and sadly had to go overseas to become an international star. Which he did almost instantly.
Bike racing in the late 1800s and very early 1900's was very nearly a combat sport. Don't like a guy or how he beat you last race? Hook his elbow and send him into the rail at 30mph. Some of that remained into the 50's and beyond.
(One of my older customers had a young guy give him all sorts of static about drafting him, along with the "you wish you were 1/10the the cyclist I am" rubbish. After a mile of drafting where the kid couldn't shake him he took a turn in front pushing the pace up every so often. because.. a good chase is fun!
I asked what happened after that
"So we got to that stretch in Bedford where there's hardly anyone, and I hooked his sorry arrogant ass into the dich and went home"
In like 2007 or so.....
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