Sean Kelly (cyclist)

Sean Kelly ( born May 24, 1956 in Waterford ) is a former Irish cyclist. He was one of the most successful classic hunters of the 1980s and 1990s. It belongs next to Stephen Roche to the best riders in Ireland at all.

Career

In 1977, Sean Kelly professional cyclist after he was discovered by the French sports official Jean de Gribaldy. His sprinter qualities earned him five stage wins and four times the green jersey in the Tour de France ( 1982, 1983, 1985 and 1989). Also four times he won the points jersey at the Vuelta a España, who won the all-rounder in 1988. In stage races, the Irishman was also in 1983 and 1990, the Tour de Suisse to decide for themselves as well as record-breaking seven times in a row the " race to the sun" Paris - Nice. Sean Kelly was also - unusual for a sprinter - a very strong time trialist, he won the 1986 and the Grand Prix des Nations.

His most celebrated triumphs Kelly at the one-day races. He could repeatedly choose four of the five monuments of cycling for themselves:

  • Paris -Roubaix 1984 and 1986
  • Liege -Bastogne- Liege in 1984 and 1989
  • Milano- Sanremo 1986 and 1992
  • Giro di Lombardia in 1983, 1985, 1991

In addition to the Tour of Flanders, a victory at the Road World Championships, where he was third in 1982 and 1989 he lacks.

His impressive consistency was reflected not least in the cycling world rankings resist that Kelly since their introduction in 1984 led uninterruptedly over five years.

Doping

In 1984, Sean Kelly locked in the race Paris -Brussels because of doping with pemoline from the Belgian association for a month and subject to a fine of 1000 Swiss francs.

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