Stephen Roche Villach 1987

[gdkzen]

No cycling aficionado can argue that 1987 wasn't "The Year Of Stephen Roche".

Unfortunately, his injury flared up again and he never really competed at this level again. By the time that LeMond had returned in 1989, Roche was falling off the back.

Stephen was a great competitor, a classy guy, and by all accounts a fun guy to be around. I don't doubt that he used EPO in his later years so that he could continue to participate. His great accomplishments, however, were done clean.

[muller74]

That music at the end gets the hairs on the back of my neck standing up !

Great memories !

[davidoffon]

@muller74 Transplant them to your goulagongs and the watch it again.

[spudmourph73]

i remember jumping around my front room as a 14 year old watching this, roche and kelly made ireland so proud, thanks for the memories lads.

[MrMarcusirish]

Kelly was my hero, Roche had an incredible year but Kelly was the man whom Cycling in Ireland and the world will remember

[rasbirr]

I don't agree, Roche was a real tryer, who rode from the front, hence his exceptional success, I would rather be a world champion that win all the races Kelly won, Kelly was remarkable too, though.

[xaviqaz]

Indurain almost achieved the same in 1993: he was 2nd in world championship behind a guy called Lance Armstrong

[rasbirr]

but he did'nt, Roche was exceptional, the talent was there for the age of 15

[matt1975791]

A beautiful moment in Roche's career (and the history of cycling). Can I only imagine how he must of felt at that moment.

[rasbirr]

I raced with Stephen when we were both 14, at that time he was the only cyclist to stay with junior riders when we had a chance to compete against them, he won the Ras at 19 against seasoned internationals in their prime, his talent matured, as show in this video.

[roadbikerob]

Mate, that's realy cool. Did you ever ride with paul kimmage?

[rasbirr]

I did mate, I rode as an amateur with kimmage in our national tour in Ireland, he was a very dedicated cyclist and there must have been something wrong in Europe if he did not make it, see his book rough ride. Kimmage was a stylist rider but easier to keep up with compared to Roche, on a personal note I am competing in the second longest bike race in the world this September, similar to RAAM, nice talking to you. Slan

[roadbikerob]

this is so cool. Hang on then, you didn't ride with sean kelly to, I know those three were quite close. Paul kimmage was the last of the three to become pro but personally, he was better as an amatuer.

[rasbirr]

Kimmage was a very successful amateur, did you know he should had won the tour of britain, but punctured while in yellow on the penultimate day. Sean Kelly stayed in my parents house when he was 18, a hard worker even then, helped to wash the dishes. He would stay with my parents in Dublin before travelling away on Irish amateur teams as my parents address was convenient for the airport.

[roadbikerob]

Wow. You must of raced pretty seriously over in Ireland. Obviously with some top guys. I'm really keen cyclist myself and being over half Irish I decided to look into the peak of Irish cycling. I now admire what Kelly, Kimmage and obviously Roche did for cycling. I have recently read Kimmage's book (as you mentioned) which has been great. You probably know Paul raced for RMO which was prominent in tour de France.

Anyway, I wish you really good luck in your up and coming race. Keep cycling!

[rasbirr]

I have great memories from cycling and I glad I experienced them, cycling is very political, one depends on friendships, coalitions and pure talent to breakaway, it is an unusual sport that way, but it is nice to get your number on the leaders board sometimes. Roche did not win much in Ireland as a schoolboy or junior because of his poor sprint. When we were junior cyclists he used to let us go at the start and later catch up on us.

[roadbikerob]

Absolutely fantastic! I have enjoyed cycling over the last 4 to 5 years which I have done it (I'm only 15!) but I have enjoyed every second. You didn't ever race with someone called Martin Earney (I think). He is another rider I have heard a lot about.

[roadbikerob]

I remember reading about Kimmage almost winning the then called milk race and this brought him to the attention of the pro team's-great chatting!

[rasbirr]

you have it now, the Irish riders of the eighties were Roche, Kelly, Mc Cormack, Earley and Kimmage, our amatures gave some performances too.

[mcalindn]

I was only 4 when this happened but I still remember the excitment in my house. I love that Sean Kelly was as happy that Roche won as he would have been if he won himself... Team work all the way.

[deryan1234]

Great teamwork by the Irish boys, seeing kelly celebrate shows how genuine he was.

[cChunkstardeluxe]

Roche was awesome! He even won the FBD Insurance Ras too which is fooking soooo hard to do as an amateur!

[roscomain]

Thanks Matt - My favourite moment in irish sport. They are legends. The sportsmanship of Kelly is unmatched.

Des

[brigader4heart]

thats the way to outfox the gallopers!.

[zuffle87]

Roche had quite a kick there to leave the group, he was always the opportunist and good on em.

Nowadays riders rely on strategy from their radio link with their D.Sportif, hence the riding is less

exciting.

[austo77]

i love seeing Kelly punching the air. what a legend.

good times.

[truebrit38]

great moment Roche and Kelly arm in arm 1987 diamond year for cycling

[misspollyanna]

These clips give me goosebumps! Thank u so much!

[johnypebs]

Matt,

I'm posting links to your videos on cyclingplus race forum, myself and others have fond memories of this era of cycling. I had a tape of the entire Mcilvanney interview, now lost, could you upload more clips please?

[sjl62]

Wonderful! I finally get to see this!