Image Source: Pierre Dieterley (Jean de Gribaldi.com), CC0 [CC BY-SA 0], By Wikimedia Commons (Image edited)
John James Kelly, Well known by his nickname “Sean” Kelly, Was one of the most notable 80s racing cyclist Probably one of the best racing cyclists of all time. He started his career as a sprinter and has grown into a true all-rounder since the early 80s. Kelly has never been a great class rider on grand tours, but has achieved everything else.
So he grew up to be a specialist for stage races that lasted a week. The stage races were Paris – Nice, Tour de Suez, Task of Basque Country, Tour of Catalonia and Criterium International. Sean “King” Kelly was able to finish at least twice as much as the overall winner! After all, Kelly was able to dominate the eight-day Paris-Nice cycling competition in an unprecedented way. With seven consecutive wins (1982 to 1988), Sean Kelly holds the record for most wins in a match. His success as a classic hunter requires at least some recognition. Except for the Tour of Flanders (Kelly never won) He has won at least twice in four of the five monuments of cycling (the oldest and most difficult ODIs).! In professional life Sean Kelly won 193 matches! 33 of them in 1984 alone, one of his strongest seasons!
Hard work on a racing bike
John James Kelly, the second born son of an Irish farming family, was named after his father. To avoid confusion with his father, his nickname was “Sean” (Irish form “John”). Kelly dropped out of school at the age of thirteen to support the family on the farm. At the age of sixteen he was working as a bricklayer.
The willingness to work, already developed, should shape Sean Kelly on the racing bike and turn it into an achievement. He found his way through his older brother Joe Cycling He was able to gradually make a name for himself locally and then nationally until international teams became aware of him. Sean Kelly was in the tractor when a French team manager (Jean de Gribaldi) went to find an Irishman who had attracted him to a whole series of amateur victories in France and Italy. With luck and the help of a cyclist who was with him, de Gribaldi was able to identify Kelly during his trip to Dublin and eventually take him into service. This marked the beginning of Sean Kelly’s professional career.
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Nationality: Ireland
Nickname: King
Teams
1977-1978 Flanders – Welda – Latin Insurance
1979-1981 Splendor-Euro Soap
1982-1983 Sem – France Lower – Campagnolo
1984–1985 Skyle – Rydell – Sem – Mavic
1986–1988 Cass
1989–1991 PDM-Concord
1992–1993 Lotus-Festina
1994 Catawana
Sean Kelly’s greatest achievements
- 4x point rating in Tour de France (1982, 1983, 1985, 1989)
- 3x Intermediate Sprint Rating on Tour de France (1982, 1983, 1989)
- 5 stage wins in the Tour de France
- Overall success at the Volta A. Espana (1988)
- 4x Punktevertung be der Volta a Espana (1980, 1985, 1986, 1988)
- 16 stage wins at Volta A Espana
- 7x Paris – Good (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988)
- 2x Tour of Switzerland (1983, 1990)
- 3x Tour of Basque Country (1984, 1986, 1987)
- 2x Tour of Catalonia (1984, 1986)
- 3x Criterium International (1983, 1984, 1987)
- 2x Milan – San Remo (1986, 1992)
- 2x Paris – Rubyx (1984, 1986)
- 2x Lease – Boston – Lease (1984, 1989)
- 3x Tour of Lombardy (1983, 1985, 1991)
- Ghent – Welgem (1988)
- Paris – Tours (1984)
- Super Prestige Pernod International (1984–1986)
- UCI Road Racing World Champion (1989)
One of the best ever?
As The best cyclist of all time Drivers who have generally dominated grand tours are noticed above all else. However, Sean Kelly was never its driver type. However, the question arises as to whether this is not the case. Be Volta Volta in 1988 And his best placements in the competition (he placed in the top ten in four of the six partnerships) and four of the top 10 places. Tour de France Show that Sean Kelly was able to stand on top for three weeks.
However, from the 80s came a new type of driver in terms of ranking drivers. Those who are 80% focused on their favorite grand tours and don’t participate in many other competitions – at least not with serious intentions. Sean Kelly has never been such a driver. He was old school and he wanted to compete all season (unless injuries prevented him). Not to maintain the shape of the competition, but to win! As a result, he rarely had the novelty to attack the ranks of Grand Tours with ultimate consistency.
Sean Kelly dominated the 1980s
But he was a force in the racing bike! His career as a rider has surpassed many other cycling legends (from) Eddie Merks, the above Bernard Hinolt, Laurent Fignon, Moreno Argentina And Greg Lemont To Miguel Induran), who still had a clear entry in the history books of the sport, and dominated the overall rankings of the season in the mid-80s.
Kelly was known and respected in Peloton as an introverted but tough rider.. As someone who has always been able to torture himself a little more than others, as racing victories have shown in difficult monuments and difficult situations. Career After career, Sean Kelly is still like that Color commentator and expert Focus on this role wherever you are Eurosport cycling eventsHe still knows everything very well.
Travel fan. Freelance analyst. Proud problem solver. Infuriatingly humble zombie junkie.