Only if they couldn't find anything stronger!Tour stars fight for Coca cola from film 'Stars and l water carriers'
Shay Elliott, 3rd from right, Irish cycling's great pioneer. First Irish rider to ride the Tour de France. First Irish rider to wear the maillot jaune. First Irish rider to win a Tour de France stage. First English speaking rider to win a stage in all three Grande Tours. First English speaking rider to lead La Vuelta Espana, and when finishing third on GC the highest Grande Tour finish by an Irish rider until Stephen Roche in 1987. First Irish rider to win a classic (Het Volk) Indeed another English speaking rider would not win that race until 2014 (Ian Standard) In addition Shay took the silver medal in the 1962 world championship road race, and won two Irish national road titles.Another still from Stars and Water Carriers, the St Raphael team
I had no idea Shay was such a prolific rider. He certainly blazed a trail for the Brits and Americans (and Irish) that followed. Imagine leading out Anquetil in a sprint in the Tour!Shay Elliott, 3rd from right, Irish cycling's great pioneer. First Irish rider to ride the Tour de France. First Irish rider to wear the maillot jaune. First Irish rider to win a Tour de France stage. First English speaking rider to win a stage in all three Grande Tours. First English speaking rider to lead La Vuelta Espana, and when finishing third on GC the highest Grande Tour finish by an Irish rider until Stephen Roche in 1987. First Irish rider to win a classic (Het Volk) Indeed another English speaking rider would not win that race until 2014 (Ian Standard) In addition Shay took the silver medal in the 1962 world championship road race, and won two Irish national road titles.
Sadly Shay took his own life in 1971, aged 36, after leaving the peloton and returning to Ireland. His marriage had failed and he had financial troubles.
Ireland's toughest and most prestigious one day race, the Shay Elliott Memorial is run in his memory each year, over a brutal course in Co. Wicklow. Past winners include Sean Kelly, twice.
Chapeau Shay, a true legend.