Kelly stands by RTE snub

The row surrounding former Tour de France cycling stars Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche and RTE continued unabated yesterday, with Kelly still refusing to do any interviews with the station while the Tour de France makes its way through Ireland. Kelly, who rode in the Tour 14 times, completed it 12 times and finished in the top 10 on four occasions, was angry at the content of RTE's hour-long Nationwide programme on Friday evening, which focused on the race. He also felt that three other Tour cyclists - Martin Earley, Paul Kimmage and Laurence Roche - should have had more input into the programme.

Ranked as the fourth best Tour cyclist of all time, Kelly is of the opinion that the show, which went out from Dublin Castle and involved the Minister for Tourism and Sport, Dr Jim Mc Daid, as well as former Tour winner and world champion Stephen Roche, snubbed him and the other Irish riders who had played an important part in the race in the past.

Although the programme screened a pre-recorded segment showing Kelly demonstrating racing tactics, he was not included live on the podium throughout the programme.

Kelly understood that he and eight-times Tour rider Earley would appear on the programme around 7pm. When he arrived he was then, according to a spokesman, told that he would not be appearing until the wrap-up several minutes from the end. Kelly and Earley then informed RTE that they would not appear under such circumstances.

Kelly was further angered by comments made by Roche on air when he gave reasons for leaving Ireland to return to France. It was reported that Roche said:

"When you see so many kids on the street corners, so much delinquency and especially the drink, it does frighten me."

It is understood that Kelly was so angry about the episode that he demanded a meeting with director of the Tour de France Jean-Marie Leblanc at midnight on Friday to vent his feelings.

"It is something that happened," said Kelly yesterday. "It is now of the past. The damage has been done. It is never reparable. I said to RTE that I was very, very disappointed with the whole affair. Afterwards I said I would not give them any interviews for the three days.

"The clip from Stephen was pre-recorded. The programme was wrong in screening it in both time and place. The clip they showed, I don't believe was the right time to do to. It hadn't any place being included in a programme on the Tour de France.

"The piece they showed about me was on tactics, how to cycle in the wind and things like that. It would have been educational to people who don't understand cycling.

"I've spoken to him (Stephen) but very, very little as we've both been busy and have much on the agenda while the race is going on. I haven't really had the time to do it (talk). Yes, I would be hoping to talk to him. I would be hoping to talk to him whenever the appropriate time comes up."

Stephen Roche was not available for comment yesterday evening.