'It's disappointing': Sean Kelly on Ireland choosing to skip World Championships

The Irishman says he often had to pay for himself at the event

Sean Kelly
Kelly (left) with fellow Irishman Stephen Roche at the 1987 Tour de France.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Irish cycling legend Sean Kelly has said it is “disappointing” that Cycling Ireland has opted not to send a team to next month’s UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong, Australia.

Kelly, who won two bronze medals in the men's road race during the 1980s, told Cycling Weekly: “It’s great to compete at the World Championships because you’re there with all the other big cycling nations and you’re representing your country.

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Tom Davidson
Senior News Writer

Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders.

An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.