On 24 May, one of the most popular professional cyclists of the 1980s celebrates his 70th birthday: Sean Kelly won a total of 194 races between 1977 and 1994 and was one of the most dominant riders of his era.
The Irishman from Carrick-on-Suir was one of the most versatile cyclists of his time. He won four of cycling's five monuments several times, including Paris-Roubaix twice and the Tour of Lombardy three times. At Paris-Nice, Sean Kelly set a record that still stands today with seven consecutive victories between 1982 and 1988. He won the Vuelta a España in 1988 and secured the green jersey of the best sprinter four times at the Tour de France. From 1984 to 1989, Kelly led the cycling world rankings for five consecutive years.
Sean Kelly: From farmer's son to professional cyclist
Born in Waterford on 24 May 1956, Sean Kelly grew up as the third of four brothers on his parents' farm. While his brothers worked on the farm, Kelly responded to a call from local cycling club officials to try his hand at cycling - with success: in three years as an amateur, he had already amassed a considerable number of victories. With the help of a reporter, he travelled to France to take part in cycling races in the Metz region, some of which he won.
However, homesickness for Ireland soon drove the young racing driver back to the island, even before the professional teams' talent scouts were able to make contact with him. Only the French team manager Jean de Gribaldy, who had a good nose for promising talent, followed in the footsteps of the then 20-year-old Kelly and travelled to Ireland after him. He was able to convince the redhead to sign a professional contract. In January 1977, Kelly landed in Besançon and began his career alongside Freddy Maertens and Michel Pollentier in Gribaldy's Flandria team.
Clever and powerful
With strength, speed, excellent race overview and an irresistible finish, Sean Kelly has developed into a winning rider over the years. He celebrated his greatest triumphs in the one-day races. He won four of the five cycling monuments several times. He won Paris-Roubaix in 1984 and 1986. He won Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 1984 and 1989, Milan-San Remo in 1986 and 1992 and dominated the Tour of Lombardy with victories in 1983, 1985 and 1991. Only the Tour of Flanders is missing from his list of victories in the monuments.
Kelly was not only successful in one-day races, but was also among the best in tours and stage races. He developed a special relationship with Paris-Nice. He won the "Race to the Sun", which kicks off the spring stage race season, seven times in a row from 1982 to 1988, making him the record winner to this day. He won the Tour de Suisse in 1983 and 1990. At the Vuelta a España, he took the points classification four times and won the overall classification in 1988. As a strong time trialist, he won the Grand Prix des Nations in 1986 and the Critérium International three times in 1983, 1984 and 1987.
Sean Kelly Street
A street was named after him in his birthplace of Carrick-on-Suir in 1982 after he wore the green jersey of the best sprinter to Paris for the first time in the Tour de France. He repeated this success in 1983, 1985 and 1989, taking a total of five stage wins in the Tour de France. His sprinting qualities made him a feared opponent in the bunch sprint.
He was denied the really big success at the Road World Championships. He finished third in 1982 and 1989. His consistency was reflected in the cycling world rankings, which he led for five years without interruption since their introduction in 1984. He won 194 races as a professional cyclist.
Co-commentator for Eurosport
Since the end of his active career, Kelly has been a recreational cyclist. In Ireland, he gets thousands of amateur athletes on their bikes at various amateur races. As a co-commentator on Eurosport, he remains closely involved in the scene and passes on his experience to the next generation. Alongside Stephen Roche, Sean Kelly is one of Ireland's most successful riders.
Sean Kelly's trophy cabinet
- Paris-Roubaix 1984 and 1986
- Tour of Lombardy 1983, 1985 and 199l
- Milan-San Remo 1986 and 1992
- Liège-Bastogne-Liège 1984 and 1989
- Vuelta a España 1986
- Paris-Nice 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988
- Tour de Suisse 1983 and 1990
- Grand Prix des Nations 1986
- Critérium International 1983, 1984 and 1987
- Green jersey of the Tour de France 1982, 1983, 1985 and 1989
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Thomas Musch
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