Happy 50th Birthday, Malcolm Elliott

Malcolm Elliott, Motorpoint 2011

One of Britain's best-loved and most successful riders of all time, Malcolm Elliott, turns 50 today.

Most famed for his two stage victories in the Vuelta a Espana, Elliott has been national road race (1993), hill climb (1980) and pursuit champion (1985), masters world champion (2006) and also competed in the Olympics and the Tour de France.

Despite initially retiring from the professional scene over a decade ago, Elliott cannot shake off the racing bug, as proved by his decision to continue competing domestically with the Motorpoint in this, his ninth season since he returned to the peloton.

His spirit and enthusiasm remains as strong as ever, but for the last two months he's been affected by a mystery illness that affects him on the bike.

"It was at the Rutland Melton CiCLE Classic (in April) when this first began," he told Cycling Weekly at last Sunday's National Championships.

"It's not really an illness as such, its just something that happens down my windpipe - whenever I try and make an effort it immediately feels as rough as a cactus."

Elliott was forced to miss several rounds of the Tour Series, the scene of his last individual victory in 2009.

Thankfully, he's hopeful that things will improve in the next few weeks.

There's nothing sinister there luckily, it just seems to be an irritated larynx. It's got me doing inhalations three times a day which should help moisturise it as it's super dry."

When asked what his plans were for today, he said that he'll be spending it with friends and family. Hopefully his sore throat doesn't stop him from having a glass or two of wine - he deserves.

Happy birthday, Malcolm!

Malcolm Elliott : A career in pictures

Malcolm Elliott, time trial

Time trialling at the start of his professional career

Malcom Elliott, 1986

The familiar sight of Elliott winning, this time in Northampton, 1986

Malcolm Elliott talking to the press, Kellogs Tour

Millar talks to the media, Kellogs Tour of Britain

Malcom Elliott during the 1988 Tour de France

Elliott tackling the Puy-de-Dome during the 1988 Tour de France

Malcolm Elliott wins



Elliott wins the East Midlands International CiCLE Classic, 2007

Malcolm Elliott, Blackpool Nocturne 2009

Blackpool Nocturne, 2009

Malcolm Elliott, Tour Series 2010, round 2, Durham

His last win to date: Durham Tour Series round, 2010

Mark Cavendish and Malcolm Elliott, British road race national championships 2011

British sprint kings: Cavendish and Elliott at last Sunday's National Championships

Malcolm Elliott : The teams

Ti Raleigh-Weinmann (1984), Raleigh (1985), ANC-Halfords (1986-87), Fagor (1988), Teka (1989-90), Seur (1991-92), Chevrolet-LA Sheriffs (1993-96), Comptel (1997).

Pinarello-Assos (2003-05), Plowman Craven (2006), Pinarello RT (2007-08), CandiTV-Marshalls Pasta (2009), Motorpoint-Marshalls Pasta (2010), Motorpoint Pro Cycling (2011).

Malcolm Elliott: The victories

2010

Halfords Tour Series, winner, round

2007

East Midlands International Cicle Classic

Shay Elliott Memorial

Newport Nocturne

2006

British Elite circuit series; overall

UCI World masters road championship

Chas Messenger Three Day; overall

2005

FDB Insurance Ras; stage

Trofeo International

2004

FDB Milk Ras; two stages

Girvan Three Day; overall and two stages

Beaumont Trophy

Premier Calendar; overall

British Elite Circuit series; overall

Tour of Mallorca; overall

Trofeo International

2003

Havant International GP

1997

Tour Lefleur

Jackson Criterium

1996

Killington Stage race; overall and three stages

Manhattan Beach Grand Prix

Tour of Mendoza

1995

Tour DuPont; stage

Killington Stage Race; two stages

1994

Redlands Stage Race; overall

Killington Stage Race; two stages

First Union Grand Prix

1993

British road race champion

Redlands Classic; overall and stage

First Union Grand Prix

1992

Tour of the Mining Valleys; stage

1991

Trofeo Masferrer

Torres Vedras; overall

1990

Tour of Catalonia; two stages

Tour of the Americas; three stages

Tour of Cantabria; two stages

Tour of the Basque Country; stage

1989

Vuelta a Espana; points competition and stage

Semana Catalana; two stages

Castilla y Leon; two stages

Tour of Galicia; stage

Kellogg's Tour of Britain; prologue

1988

Vuelta a Espana; stage

Tour of Aragon; stage

Kellogg's Tour of Britain; overall, prologue and stage

1987

Milk Race; overall and five stages

Nissan Classic; three stages

Tour of Lancashire; overall and stage

1986

Kellogg's Circuit series; two wins and overall

Milk Race; two stages

Sun Tour; two stages

1985

Sun Tour; overall

British professional pursuit champion

1984

Sealink International

British national criterium champion

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Nick Bull is an NCTJ qualified journalist who has written for a range of titles, as well as being a freelance writer at Beat Media Group, which provides reports for the PA Media wire which is circulated to the likes of the BBC and Eurosport. His work at Cycling Weekly predominantly dealt with professional cycling, and he now holds a role as PR & Digital Manager at SweetSpot Group, which organises the Tour of Britain.