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Although I’m pretty sure the bus thing never happened. The race series did go ahead. Here are all the results. Although they called it the ETU European Cup rather than a Grand Prix Circus.
I’m pretty sure the athletes intending to travel were the members of Bedford Harriers. This was an elite composite team formed by prolific triathlon promoter Bill Steel in late-88 or early-89. As a triathlon arm of the Bedford Harriers Athletics Club, established in 1985.
I’m pretty sure the concept was to compete for team prizes in France, Germany, the Netherlands or Belgium. With the big clubs in Europe. So making sure race licenses with club mentioned were all in order.
Honestly, it was cool and exciting to see the black and yellow kits and Dave Russell bikes at the races and in the magazines. As they pretty much dominated the Grand Prix in 1989. Podcast episode here.
But they also caused a kerfuffle at the National Relays in Nottingham in August 1989. When their male team consisting of Rick Kiddle, Glenn Cook, Richard Hobson and Jon Ashby won quite easily. But was the formation of elite composite teams really in the spirt of club racing?
