In the late 70's as mechanic, I went the Irish team to the two week long Milk Race (Tour of Britain), in those days this was one of the toughest armature races in Europe. At the time the eastern bloc countries were on a different level and their best riders would come to the Milk Race.

I was on three Milk Races and I have some pictures of two of those races here to give people a flavour of what these stage races were like in the 70's.

Irish Team 1977: Mick Toolan, Billy Kerr, Oliver McQuaid, Jimmy Maloney, Mick Nulty and Colm Nulty.
-- Manager: Jim McQuaid, Masseur: Terry Ferris, Mechanic: Peter Purfield

Irish Team 1978: John Shortt, Jimmy Maloney, Oliver McQuaid, Billy Kerr, Sean Lally and Tony Lally.
-- Manager: Tommy Campbell, Masseur: Terry Ferris, Mechanic: Peter Purfield

1977 Milk Race GC Results
1 Said Gusseinov 48:22:13
2 Alf Segersäll + 08
3 Paul Carbutt + 19
4 Bob Downs + 20
5 Werner Fretz + 22

1978 Milk Race GC Results
1 Jan Brzezny 45:38:34
2 Lennart Fagerlund + 36
3 Bob Downs + 02:41
4 George Lewis Mount + 02:42
5 Vlastimil Moravec + 06:15

Music: Fleetwood Mac - 'You Make Loving Fun' and Bonnie Tyler - 'It's A Heartache'

Photos & Video Compilation: Peter Purfield

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