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 participated in the London-Holyhead race, which spanned 275 miles—the longest single-day event without pacers. Tom Simpson claimed victory over Elliott and a domestic professional, Albert Hitchen. The race sparked controversy when Cycling featured a photograph of the sprint.