Is Malcolm Elliot super-human?
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I think that he is an exception due to the way he has looked after himself and the keen desire he still has to race.0
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Probably more an indication of the relative lack of depth of quality in UK Elite racing - he also took a long break from racingMake mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..0
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Has he looked after himself more than anyone else that rides a bike - I thought he was known for burning the candle at both ends when he was younger.
it's a hard life if you don't weaken.0 -
Tom Butcher wrote:Has he looked after himself more than anyone else that rides a bike - I thought he was known for burning the candle at both ends when he was younger.
chiper"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Doesn't he hang out with Dr F?It's a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired. You quit when the gorilla is tired.0
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Never underestimate the power of being a Yorkshireman
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ju5t1n wrote:Malcolm Elliot is still riding in the Premier Calendar at the age of 47. Is the standard of top-flight racing in the UK that poor, or is Elliot super-human? Think he’ll still be up there at 50?
Possibly both. A few of the lads in my club who know him say he was disappointed he wasted his prime years partying etc, so when he came back he trained harder and was more dedicated than before. I got told a story where he was racing against Yates in a pursuit, but decided to go out and get lashed the evening before. Apparently he still caught Yates :shock:"A cyclist has nothing to lose but his chain"
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Not sure if this is true, but a clubmate of old was in a bar before one of the old circuit race series races and Mr Elliot was stood at the bar ordering a pint, my clubmate said 'so your not racing?' and Mr Elliot's reply, was 'yeah I am, but I have 50 minutes til it starts'....0
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He's also a thoroughly nice guy, and looks better, more healthy and of course far more stylish than half the current British peloton!
He's another rider that whenever the likes of CW do their lists of top British pros, ought to be a little higher. Remember he's won stages in the Vuelta and the points jersey, plus he got 3rd at Amstel, not to mention his countless domestic wins.0 -
the standard of UK racing is surely not that poor, judging by the results abroad. Elliot is only 47, not 57...so perhaps the power he had, he still has...nobody is old at 47 if they've taken good care, plus he's got so much in bank physically...he's had a long long career and you never lose that entirely...he is talented...age doesn't remove that. i think he will slow down in the next 5 years...but will be riding around in premier calendar bunches well into his mid 50s if he wants to0
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Dave_1 wrote:the standard of UK racing is surely not that poor, judging by the results abroad. Elliot is only 47, not 57...so perhaps the power he had, he still has...nobody is old at 47 if they've taken good care, plus he's got so much in bank physically...he's had a long long career and you never lose that entirely...he is talented...age doesn't remove that. i think he will slow down in the next 5 years...but will be riding around in premier calendar bunches well into his mid 50s if he wants to
I'm still not sure how good the quality of UK racing is compares to the continent. The problem for me in judging is that most of the British-based teams don't seem to be able to afford to or choose not to race abroad so there's not great opportunity to judge them against both their continental equivalent and British riders abroad.
Take last year's Smithfield Nocturne: Geraint Thomas destroyed everyone and hardly looked out of breath at the end. Which either means he was either on a good day or the others clinging to his wheel were, or he's a class above.
Ultimately I think Malcolm just proves the gap between the second/third tier of the sport and what it takes to step up to the next level. That he is still competitive shows just what a step up in ability the top flight is.0 -
leguape wrote:Dave_1 wrote:the standard of UK racing is surely not that poor, judging by the results abroad. Elliot is only 47, not 57...so perhaps the power he had, he still has...nobody is old at 47 if they've taken good care, plus he's got so much in bank physically...he's had a long long career and you never lose that entirely...he is talented...age doesn't remove that. i think he will slow down in the next 5 years...but will be riding around in premier calendar bunches well into his mid 50s if he wants to
I'm still not sure how good the quality of UK racing is compares to the continent. The problem for me in judging is that most of the British-based teams don't seem to be able to afford to or choose not to race abroad so there's not great opportunity to judge them against both their continental equivalent and British riders abroad.
Take last year's Smithfield Nocturne: Geraint Thomas destroyed everyone and hardly looked out of breath at the end. Which either means he was either on a good day or the others clinging to his wheel were, or he's a class above.
Ultimately I think Malcolm just proves the gap between the second/third tier of the sport and what it takes to step up to the next level. That he is still competitive shows just what a step up in ability the top flight is.
look how he did at Tour of Ireland last year, and likely again this year...he top 10d, poss even as high as 6th in a bunch gallop..well ahead of some much younger riders who are in pro tour teams...I think muscle memory, talent and the fact that 47 ain't so very old when you take care...these 3 explain part of it...am not sure enough to say its Premiers that are a lower level...they are probably a good step up between regional and UCI 2 level events... I saw Gerraint Thomas's win last year , was there...he was good, but had he not come straight off the Giro?0 -
Dave_1 wrote:look how he did at Tour of Ireland last year, and likely again this year...he top 10d, poss even as high as 6th in a bunch gallop..well ahead of some much younger riders who are in pro tour teams
Got at least one, I think two, top tens in the tour of britain in bunch sprints too, against the likes of Petacchi, Boasson Hagen, Hunter, Dean etc.0 -
Interesting. Don't forget Jeannie Longo (although I do appreciate that the argument of women's cycling not being as competitive could be put forth). She looks much older than she is though whereas Elliot doesn't.
Contador is the Greatest0 -
any excuse to show some of my photos.
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kaimag11 wrote:any excuse to show some of my photos.
Willem Defoe in second wheel there."A cyclist has nothing to lose but his chain"
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47 is exceptionally old for a top level athlete!
When Malc came back from retirement & won the Premier Calendar, I though that the riders in their early 20s that he beat, should be ashamed of themselves.Remember that you are an Englishman and thus have won first prize in the lottery of life.0 -
the body doesn't wither away at 45...am not surprised he is still riding well. Main thing is, 47 is not very old IMO...0
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He was the type of rider (a light built sprinter) that can give you success in older age, in that he is still light so he can pass the hills but the sprinter in him guarantees the ability to win from a group.
I seem to recall he uses an altitude tent but this is a vague memory so don't quote me.
The level of racing in the UK is lower but gradually improving. Yet the really talented riders are taken abroad, the likes of Swift, Bellis or Kennaugh and the others on the GB endurance track squad will be stabled in BC's Italian base and spend most of their time racing abroad or on the track.0 -
he's more cut up, more lean than he was was by the looks ...and from what he says, he takes it more seriously now than 20 years back...so, I guess that explains it too...we can also say that the Tour of Ireland riders are of a low standard if Elliot could top 10 regularly and finish much higher than many young pro tour riders when the hammer went down. I think to put it down to premier riders being not of a good standard can also be applied at the level above...IMO neither is fair...the human body doesn't suddenly wither away at 45 so why is it so ridiculous that a dedicated athlete with 100s of race days and miles in his body since the 80s can't compete? If anything, us late 30s , 40s people need not fear, with training we can also beat people half our age...0
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So does he hang round with Dr F?Dan0
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oh,callow youthso many cols,so little time!0
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In the photo with Elliot on the attack isn't it John Tanner sat behind and he ain't no spring chicken either. Seem to remember Adrain Timmis has had a few good rides and also Matt Stephens is still classy as well. If you are good and have the motivation and time to train then age isn't too big a problem.
Joop Zoetemelk won Amstel Gold at the age of 39.0 -
Zoetemelk is crazy - he has the record for the most Tour finishes: 16.Contador is the Greatest0
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Malcolm Elliot is the man Svein Tuft wants to grow up to be (http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12606760&highlight=tuft)
There is no 'ctrl' button on Malcolm Elliot's computer. Malcolm Elliot is always in control.
Malcolm Elliot can sneeze with his eyes open.
Malcolm Elliot can kill two stones with one bird.**************************************************
www.dotcycling.com
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Anyway, what about Sid Barras? 61 and torturing lads 40 years his junior!"A cyclist has nothing to lose but his chain"
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ShockedSoShocked wrote:Anyway, what about Sid Barras? 61 and torturing lads 40 years his junior!
Why have I just had a vision of Sid Barras and a hidden basement? :shock:'This week I 'ave been mostly been climbing like Basso - Shirley Basso.'0 -
LangerDan wrote:ShockedSoShocked wrote:Anyway, what about Sid Barras? 61 and torturing lads 40 years his junior!
Why have I just had a vision of Sid Barras and a hidden basement? :shock:
The vision of him on a bike nearby frightens me enough!"A cyclist has nothing to lose but his chain"
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Pulp fiction.."bring out the gimp" :shock:LangerDan wrote:ShockedSoShocked wrote:Anyway, what about Sid Barras? 61 and torturing lads 40 years his junior!
Why have I just had a vision of Sid Barras and a hidden basement? :shock:so many cols,so little time!0
