Elliott was contracted to ride London-Holyhead in 1965, at 275 miles the longest single-day race in the world not to use pacers. Tom Simpson won, beating Elliott and a domestic professional, Albert Hitchen. Controversy started the moment that Cycling printed a picture of the sprint.
In 1965, Elliott competed in the London-Holyhead race, which was 275 miles long—the longest single-day event without pacers. Tom Simpson won over Elliott and a domestic professional, Albert Hitchen. The race's outcome led to controversy when Cycling featured a photograph of the sprint.