A note from Justin Wallace
Nostalgia’s not what it used to be…..
In 1991 and 1993 (the last year the race was held) we hosted the Milk Race in Bury. The annual stage race was very popular and everyone of all ages knew about it. If you’d ridden a bit too fast through a village you’d more than likely have had someone shouting: ‘Are you in the Milk Race!?’
I was given some banners after the last race and have stored them ever since. I now intend to sell them and donate the proceeds to the Michael Lawson Bianchi build-up fund. Michael always said it was his wish to get it to its former glory. Sadly that wasn’t to be. But Michael’s widow has set her heart on getting it done, and I’m going to make sure it happens.
An example of his passion for the Bianchi brand was when we were riding the 13th stage of Ciclitalia in 2017. 130 miles across the Po Vally in temperatures in the high 30s. Michael (who was slowly melting in the heat) persuaded us all to take a detour so he could be photographed in front of the Bianchi Factory. How could we say no to such a lovely man.
Here’s some pictures of the banners. The two large ones are almost five metres long. Just the size for going round the living room walls.