Falcon, Shane Sutton, Milk Race, Kellogg's HELP

[Mandobob]

Hi Falcon lovers and enthusiasts of 1980s cycle racing. I need some help to identify the years of a photo which come from a Falcon catalogue for which I am trying to pin down the date. I am gradually compiling a history of Falcon during its racing years 1960 to 1991.

The first photo is from an English catalogue and the clues I have to date are:
1. Shane Sutton riding a red Falcon. Red frames were used I understand only from 1985 onwards.
2. It's clearly a Kellogg's City Centre race with Malcolm Elliott in Raleigh Weinmann colours in close pursuit. Location? Date?
3. I suspect the catalogue for a given year would use a photo from the previous season so the catalogue probably would show models for the following year.
4. One of the bikes in the catalogue has Campagnolo Triomphe gears so the catalogue must be 1985 or later.

My guess is the photo is 1985 and the catalogue is 1986. What does anyone else think?

 

[Midlife]

After my time so no help but best of luck with your search looks like a purple 753 sticker on the Sutton?

 

[Mandobob]

Well spotted! I missed that.

So, as 753 was really only available to specialist builders from about early 1986 (at least it was advertised then), it could be a frame made for the 1976 season which could make the catalogue 1987.

I imagine Sutton will have had his frame built by his preferred maker and sprayed up in Falcon livery.

 

[torqueless]

Re:

Outside my temporal comfort zone, too, but I think that has to be an '85 season picture.
OriginalShinKicker had one of these Raleigh Weinmann/Panasonic frames from '84 (in reader's (sic) road bikes) and he said that there was no 'Raleigh' on the top tube that year... and Sutton was not riding for Falcon in '84? I think Elliott moved to ANC Halfords for the '86 season?

You'd best check the veracity of all that, though.

 

[roadking]

Re:

ANC-Halfords was formed for the 1987 season for the Tour de France (a friend of mine was a part of that team). Tony Capper, the boss of ANC had a team in 1985 & 1986 but the co-sponsor was Freight Rover (so ANC-Freight Rover).

Malcolm Elliot was riding for Raleigh-Weinmann in 1986, having turned professional with the team in 1984. Sutton won the Milk Race in 1990 riding for Falcon-Banana-Falcon: in 1984 Sutton was riding for Ever Ready-Marlboro; in 1985 he was riding for Falcon-Maillard.

Have a Kellogg's programme(s) somewhere in the archives.

Rk.

 

[Mandobob]

Thanks guys. That pretty much ties it up.

 

[marshalllucky]

Re:

The red Falcons were for the 1986 season although first appeared 85 ( I have a photo of Keith Lambert on one 1985 ) and the frames were made `in house `, as were the subsequent PMS and Banana team frames.

Malcolm Elliott signed for ANC Halfords late 85 and rode all the `86 season for them so the photo of Sutton leading Elliott would be 1985 . ANC Halfords team was up and running for the 1986 season not just 87 . ( Cappers company `Action sports` also ran the Lycra - Halfords and Interrent Yugo teams )

 

[Yellow Jersey]

Re:

Great to see you putting some history together of this seemingly forgotten marque. I believe the pic maybe '85. I have a replica team bike that I was told was from that year.

 

[Mandobob]

Re: Re:

Great to see you putting some history together of this seemingly forgotten marque. I believe the pic maybe '85. I have a replica team bike that I was told was from that year.

I see in what I think is the 1986 catalogue the Team Equipe, which is red with white bands on the bottom and seat tubes with the Falcon name on. It has Reynolds 453 main tubes, Weinmann side pull brakes, ISCA Aero Airline saddle, Huret ECO twelve speed gears and Rigid 700c alloy wheels. I have no price list for that year though. Would that be your bike?