Sean Kelly Classic : Sa 07/08/2010, Vielsalm, Ardennes, Belgium

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Sean Kelly Classic : Sa 07/08/2010, Vielsalm, Ardennes, Belgium

What a pleasant event !

This is an annual sportif, held at the beginning of August, in the Ardennes in Belgium and is open to everybody. A choice of 4 routes (60, 90 130 and 160km) is offered, allowing cyclists of all levels to participate. This ride is not timed and it attracts about 7000 participants each year! Start times are free choice between the hours of 7:30 and 10:00.

Who said Belgium was all flat? The 130 and 160 km roads have climbs with gradients of 20% and more! The Sean Kelly Classic offers challenges for riders of every level!

With 2010 being the 25th edition of the Sean Kelly Classic , Sean was respectfully honored for his vast achievements in the Belgium Classics with a Commemorative Plaque, donated by the Flemish Cycling Federation. The Plaque was unveiled in the town of Vielsalm, by the towns' Mayor. As could be expected in this cycling enthusiastic country, there was a massive presence of TV, press, representatives of the Flemish Cycling Federation and various local bodies. The ceremony took place in the middle of the town while the 7000 participants of the day rode by. Just as in his homeland of Ireland, Sean Kelly is a hero in Belgium. Having lived and raced there for several years during his active career, Sean speaks fluent French and Flemish, the two languages used in Belgium.

At the finish line, the local cycling club organized a huge barbecue with roasted sausages and Belgian beer for all participants! The barbecue and beer is organized each year, not only in this commemorative special year.

SportActive and Sean Kelly hope to see you at the Sean Kelly Classic in 2011 ! We will be organizing a group,- all you have to do is join us and ride, we will take care of the rest! Information will be send to SportActive members in due time

by Flora on 12/08/2010 .see all the pictures taken by the SportActive Team

Sean Kelly Classic

Vielsalm in Belgium was the start location for the Sean Kelly Classic.

The day was sunny and warm and, surprisingly for Belgium, there was no wind. This annual event, which is not timed, attracted more than 7000 participants this year. We crossed the start line at 9:00 am. Sean was first honored for his vast achievements in the Belgium Classics with a commemorative plaque, which was unveiled in the town of Vielsalm, by the Mayor. Of course TV cameras and press were present and once the speeches were completed we left to continue the route.

As we road along the narrow roads that Sean had often raced on during his professional career, he pointed out the difficulty of the racing in Belgium in a large peloton. Sean told me one of his memories of the race-winning move during the 1989 Liège-Bastogne-Liège Classic when he was riding for the PDM Concorde Team. "We started one of many short but difficult and steep 2nd class climbs of the race. I attacked, with 50 km to go to the finish, on the climb of Chambralle, with 3 other riders - Delgado, Anderson and Phillpot. We went clear of the peloton and stayed away till the finish. That was my second win of this 260 km race."

The experience of riding these roads, in the presence of Sean Kelly, made it a very memorable occasion for all the participants. It was a great event and perfectly organized: well signed and marshaled with plenty of fuel stops and very friendly people. This is definitely a challenge recommended for all sportif riders who want to experience the classic route that Sean Kelly conquered in his prime.

by Martin Birney, on 12/08/2010 see all the pictures taken by the SportActive Team

Sean Kelly Classic sk_vielsalm4_s

see all the pictures taken by the SportActive Team

Last Updated on Tuesday, 28 February 2012 09:37

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