| Sean Kelly (cyclist) |
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Information AboutSean Kelly (cyclist) |
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A natural Sprinter , Kelly won numerous Classic Cycle Races and stages of the Grand Tours . He also won the 1988 Vuelta A España , and was the first rider to win the points classification or Maillot Vert in the Tour De France four times ( 1982 , 1983 , 1985 , and 1989 ). ACHIEVEMENTS Sean Kelly was one of the most dominant and successful cyclists of the 1980's and is regarded as one of the finest Classics riders of all time. From the start of his professional career in 1977 until his retirement in 1994 , Kelly won 9 'Monuments of Cycling' Classics, and 193 races in total, a tally only bettered by the great Eddy Merckx . Kelly also won the Paris-Nice stage race seven years in a row, and topped the inaugural UCI World Cup Rankings . He has a Grand Tour victory to his credit in the 1988 Vuelta A España , and multiple wins in the Tour Of Lombardy , Milan-San Remo , Paris-Roubaix and Liege-Bastogne-Liege . Other victories include the Criterium Internationale, Grand Prix des Nations and many national tours, including Tours of Switzerland, Basque Region, Catalonia, and Ireland. Notably missing from his list of victories is the World Cycling Championship Rainbow Jersey , which he almost won in a close battle against Greg Lemond in 1989. When FICP introduced world cycling rankings in March 1984, Kelly was the first rider to be ranked World No.1, a title he held for over 6 years and which still remains a record. Kelly was known to be one of the hard men of professional cycling and was nicknamed "The Cannibal" because of his insatiable appetite for victory, achieving an incredible 33 victories in one season (1984). While some sprinters prefer to remain sheltered in the Peloton until the final few hundred metres of a race, Kelly was capable of instigating breaks and could climb well, proving this by winning the Vuelta a España in 1988. His victories in Paris-Roubaix (1984, 1986) showed his ability to battle against poor weather and terrible road conditions, while in the Tour de France he could stay with the Climbing Specialist s in the mountains. He finished 4th in the Tour in 1985 and he won the '' Maillot Vert '' (The Green Jersey) in 1982, 1983, 1985 and 1989, becoming the first rider to win the Tour's points classification four times, a feat he repeated in the Tour of Spain. Kelly won 21 stages in Grand Tours, 5 in the Tour de France and an impressive 16 in the Tour of Spain. In the autumn of 1983, Kelly’s rise to cycling fame began in earnest. After a tough battle over the Intelvi and Schignano passes, a select group of 18 surviving riders entered the streets of Como to battle for the honours for the race of the falling leaves, the in the final time trial. Further success followed that season – Kelly achieved an incredible 33 victories and was the first ever cyclist to be ranked World’s number 1, a title he would hold for over 6 years. He followed his incredible 1984 season the following year with victories that included the Paris-Nice and the Tour of Lombardy. In 1986 he won Milan San-Remo, finished second in the Tour of Flanders and won Paris-Roubaix again. He had become the undisputed king of the classics, and was emerging as a major contender for the Grand Tours. In 1987 he was poised to take the Tour of Spain, but fate intervened. With only 3 days to go, while leading the race, he was forced to retire due to an infection. It was a bitter disappointment for him, and his bad luck continued in the Tour de France, having to retire after a crash tore ligaments in his shoulder. Kelly fought back in 1988, and returned in the spring to win his seventh Paris-Nice (a record) and Ghent-Wevelgem. In April he returned to the Tour of Spain and won convincingly, also taking the points jersey. The following year he won Liege-Bastogne-Liege, the Green Jersey in the Tour de France, and the World Cup. In the final years of his career, Kelly would achieve his sweetest victory. After winning the Tour of Lombardy for a third time in 1991, he started 1992 generally regarded as a former great and perhaps past his prime. In the seasons opening classic, Milan San-Remo, Kelly was not a favourite, but had quietly been preparing and refining his fitness. Moreno Argentin was the clear race favourite, and after numerous attacks left the leading group before the top of the Poggio, seemingly on his way to solo victory in “La Primavera”. It looked like it was now a battle for second place for the remaining riders. But not for Kelly. He attacked on the descent, powerful and determined, taking chances on every corner, until he had distanced himself from the chasing group and had Argentin in his sights. Kelly caught him going under the kilometre kite (one kilometre to go) and Argentin couldn’t believe his eyes. With the chasing group closing fast, both riders stalled momentarily, but in the final 200 meters Kelly came past Argentin to claim victory. It was the last great victory in an oustanding career. Kelly's career is also remarkable in that his 14 Tour de France starts spanned the eras of Eddy Merckx , Bernard Hinault , Greg Lemond , Miguel Indurain and the early career of Lance Armstrong . Evidence of his dominance can be seen from his three victories in the season-long '' Super Prestige Pernod International '' competition. Kelly also competed throughout the entire season, from the season-opener Paris-Nice in early March to season-finale Tour Of Lombardy in October, starting and finishing the season by winning both of these events in 1983 and 1985. He was also the subject of a number of books, including his biography "Kelly" and "A man for all seasons" by David Walsh. Kelly is still involved in cycling - he is now a commentator for Eurosport on all major cycling events. He also participates in charity cycling endurance events in France and his native Ireland. GRAND TOUR STAGE WINS
'MONUMENT' VICTORIES
OTHER 'CLASSICS'
STAGE RACE VICTORIES
BROADCASTER Although retired from professional Cycling , Kelly retains a role in the sport, commentating for Eurosport on many major cycle races. He also established and is heavily involved in the Sean Kelly Cycling Academy in Belgium. He recently launched the Sean Kelly Cycling Team comprised of young Irish and Belgian riders. EXTERNAL LINKS
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