The Man in the Mud: Sean Kelly on his way to victory in the 1984 Paris-Roubaix – he would win the race again two years later. His new book ‘Hunger’ has just hit the shelves.
'Hunger' the new autobiography of Sean Kelly, with Lionel Birnie
Review by Dr Conor McGrane, Cycling Ireland doctor writing in a personal capacity.
Around 25 years ago a teenage cyclist got a dog-eared copy of David Walsh’s biography of Sean Kelly. This helped fuel a lifelong passion for the sport and an admiration for the athlete.
Kelly’s racing career has long since ended and he’s carved out a successful career as a commentator and team owner.
This timely autobiography has the benefit of being able to tell the story of his complete racing career. It starts with the last great victory; Milan Sam Remo in 1992.
Advertisement
The tactics, background and some interesting insights are well described - we now know why he was wearing that toilet bowl helmet!
Kelly’s own matter-of-fact way of talking comes through in the descriptions and storytelling. The early days as an amateur - winning junior titles and progressing to Irish teams - are well documented.
It’s a vivid description of an Ireland most of us either didn’t know or have long forgotten. Travel even to England was seen as glamorous and exotic. Simple details like ordering a cooked breakfast at a B&B show what a different age it was.
Although the early 70s demonstrated how good Kelly was, he didn’t see cycling as a career for a long time.
Winning stages in the Milk Race and holding a podium spot until the final stage (beating the 1976 Olympic champion along the way) hinted at the promise to come.
Pat McQuaid was an early influence and the ill-conceived trip to apartheid era South Africa during a sporting boycott was organised by him. As someone who read little and left school early, Kelly didn’t realise the dreadful conditions there but noted the segregation as soon as he arrived.
The resulting lifetime ban from the Olympics was something he was disappointed about but took in his stride. He seems to display no real bitterness or regrets.
His amateur days in France are well recalled.
Living in a converted office with a collection of other amateurs all seeking to make it as a pro certainly makes the sport look less than glamorous. Indeed the descriptions sound eerily similar to ones I’ve heard from today’s amateurs in France and elsewhere.
Related News
The sheer volume of wins in his first year abroad is staggering; the amateur Tour of Lombardy capping off his first season fittingly.
The great Gribaldy making a bizarre trip across rural Ireland to eventually find Kelly driving a tractor and offering him a pro contract is a story that never grows old.
Kelly’s pro career from the early days at Flandria, the stagnation at Splendour, followed by hard earned but prolific success with Gribaldy again; the initial struggle to make his mark as a leader is clearly written as are the personalities of some of the greats he rode with and against.
Some of the best insights are not so much the wins (of which there were plenty) but the wheeling and dealing within the peloton. Races were bought and sold - including ones that will shock you - favours given then returned.
His relationship with Stephen Roche is something he goes into at length; they rode together when they could but were often bitter rivals.
Kelly’s real ire is reserved for the Belgian Eric Vanderaerden
This was a great era for pro cycling and Kelly was in the heart of it. His battles with Hinault, Fignon, Lemond, Herrera and others are evoked vividly.
Where I was a bit disappointed but not surprised at were the sections dealing with doping. The infamous Stimul positive is dealt with briefly although his codeine positive explanation rings true. While any of us who follow Kelly on Eurosport know he tends not to dwell on the subject the book adds little new.
He does note that what Paul Kimmage wrote in Rough Rider was largely true though.
Overall, this is a well written story of a true great of the sport. The insights into races are excellent and the stoicism shown in the face of adversity is admirable.
His acceptance of aging and the way his career ended seem to show a man at ease with himself and what he has achieved.
This book is head and shoulders above the majority of cycling biographies and Lionel Birnie has got some great insights from Kelly. Both he and Kelly have produced a sports biography far better than the average.
Kelly had a long career which spanned Merckx, Hinault, Indurain and even he who must not be named. This book is a fitting footnote to that remarkable career.
Topics
