Milk Race

The 1985 Milk Race driving through Little Baddow

The Milk Race is a former stage race for men over twelve stages through Great Britain . It was held annually in May from 1958 to 1993, was the country's most prestigious race in those years and is considered to be the predecessor of the Tour of Britain .

In 2013 the name Milk Race was revived after a 20 year hiatus for a criterion race in Nottingham .

history

The Milk Race was sponsored by the Milk Marketing Board (MMB), which had the sales monopoly for dairy farmers in England and Wales . The MMB's support for the race was based on an idea from Derby cyclist Dave Orford , who had initially suggested that all amateur cyclists wear the slogan Drink more milk on their jerseys . For this, the MMB should pay the winner of races ten pounds and be given the right to advertise in bicycle races. After a meeting it was agreed that the MMB would finance a big race. It took place for the first time in 1958 and for the last time under that name in 1993, making it the longest sponsorship in cycling in the UK .

The events up to 1984 were designed for amateurs . From 1985 to 1993 the race was open to amateurs and professionals . Subsequently, the sponsorship of the MMB ended because the board had to be dissolved due to European monopoly laws.

From 1955 to 1983, in Scotland , the Scottish Milk Race held.

The new milk race

In 2013 the name Milk Race was revived for a criterion in Nottingham. The organizer was the two-time world cycling champion Tony Doyle , sponsors were the Dairy Council and the Milk Marketing Forum . The winner was Dani King in the women's and Felix English among men.