Kelly talks Classics

What does it take to be a top Classics rider? And why is it that the pattern of racing has changed so much in the past two decades? Cycling legend Sean Kelly spoke to Shane Stokes about winning the top one day events.

In addition to victories in the 1988 Vuelta a España and countless shorter stage races, Irishman Sean Kelly is regarded as one of the best Classic riders of all time. During his pro career he took nine monuments [two each of Milan Sanremo, Paris-Roubiax and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, as well as three Tours of Lombardy], one edition of Gent-Wevelgem and the 1984 Blois-Chaville, now run once again as Paris-Tours.

He retired in 1994 but has stayed involved with the sport, acting as a commentator for Eurosport and thus regularly attending the big races. Cyclingnews recently had a chance to sit down with the former world number one and speak to him about the Classics, asking how he prepared for them and how things have changed in the years since his retirement.

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Kelly was the subject of many books, one of which was entitled a Man For All Seasons. That sums up his attributes and approach as a rider; rather than peaking for a specific time of the year, he would be in the thick of the action from the Tour of Valencia and Paris-Nice until the Tour of Lombardy, winning constantly from start to end. He feels that a lot has changed since his retirement due to increased specialisation in the peloton.

"Things are very different now," he said, taking a break from a training ride on the island of Majorca. "Riders approach the season very different, mentally. It has changed in the past 10 or 15 years: the guys now are either Classics men or Tour men, that is the way it is. One exception was a guy like Jalabert, for example, and Zabel is perhaps the very last one doing that."

For the full interview with Sean Kelly, click here.