after a strong amateur period, primarily with the dublin wheelers, elliott was the first irish cyclist to make a mark as a professional rider in continental europe. a late-starting but naturally talented rider, he spent most of his pro career riding as a "domestique" for team leaders such as jacques anquetil, and anquetil's deputy jean stablinski. he came 2nd (to stablinski) in the 1962 world road championship at salò, italy.