
There was a time - like this stage win in 1978 - when Sean Kelly was the king of the Tour de France; but not yesterday.
Anyone who has ever been in Sean Kelly's company or even seen him socialising after international races will attest to the fact he's still a very recognisable face on the Continent.
In fact, he's arguably more famous and better appreciated in other European countries.
And while he prevailed in most races worth winning during his long and storied career, his record in the Tour perhaps built his legend to a greater extent than his other achievements.
He rode his first one in 1978 and his last in 1994; starting a total of 14 and finishing 12.
He was victorious in the points classification four times, won the intermediate sprints classification three times and won five stages.
Kelly finished in the top 10 four times; his highest placing in Paris coming in 1985 when he was 4th.
He came home just behind a stunning final podium of Bernard Hinault in 1st, Greg Lemond 2nd and Stephen Roche 3rd.
And while more than two decades have elapsed since his Grand Tour swansong, his international fame remains very much intact.
But that was not the case yesterday it seems, as demonstrated by the cheeky Tweet below from Kelly's co-commentator on Eurosport Carlton Kirby.
When the stage 5 hostilities into Amiens were completed, Kelly and Kirby were looking to be fed and watered.
And after stumbling across an Irish bar called Kelly's, they were pretty confident they'd be in for a few complimentary beverages.
However, they were given a swift kick into the proverbials when it emerged the pub owners (a) weren't Irish and (b) didn't like cycling anyway.
So no complimentary beers for the boys; they had to get the Euros out and buy their own. D'oh!
You'd think this would be a sure-fire free drink... But no. The owners weren't Irish and didn't like cycling! ? pic.twitter.com/mrkgG0UXvP
— Carlton Kirby (@carltonkirby) July 8, 2015
