Sean Kelly Takes Aim at Strava KOM Obsession: Cycling Legend Criticizes the Growing Focus on Strava Times, Says He Doesn’t “Really Take Any Interest in Them” and Questions Their Impact on the Sport
In an era where digital platforms have revolutionized nearly every sport, cycling is no exception. Strava, the popular fitness-tracking app that allows cyclists to compete for “King of the Mountain” (KOM) titles, has become an integral part of the cycling community. Riders upload their routes, measure their performances, and compete for virtual crowns on particular segments, seeking to claim the fastest time and earn bragging rights. But for some, including cycling legend Sean Kelly, this new obsession with Strava times is a far cry from what the sport of cycling should truly be about.
Kelly, often referred to as “The King” in the cycling world for his dominance in the 1980s, recently shared his thoughts on the Strava KOM culture that has taken over many amateur cyclists’ mindsets. The Irish cycling icon didn’t hold back, expressing his disdain for what he sees as a misplaced focus on digital accomplishments rather than real competition. In fact, Kelly admitted that he doesn’t “really take any interest in” Strava KOMs, adding that he questions the platform’s impact on the sport and the priorities of those who chase these digital accolades.
The Rise of Strava and KOM Culture
Before diving into Kelly’s critique, it’s essential to understand the rise of Strava and how it has transformed the cycling landscape. Strava, founded in 2009, quickly became the go-to app for cyclists, allowing them to track their rides via GPS, measure distances, monitor performance metrics, and, most famously, compete for KOMs on specific road or trail segments. These KOMs, or “King of the Mountain” titles, represent the fastest time recorded on a particular segment, and cyclists all over the world can compete for these digital crowns.
For many cyclists, Strava has become an essential tool, providing motivation, camaraderie, and an easy way to gauge their progress over time. But with that convenience has come a shift in focus. Increasingly, amateur cyclists are more concerned with beating their Strava times, climbing the KOM leaderboard, or hitting personal records on the app, rather than training for races or improving their overall cycling ability.
While there’s no denying that Strava has built an impressive platform that fosters community and accountability, its KOM culture has sparked a debate within the cycling world. Some argue that it encourages reckless riding and overemphasizes individual performance at the expense of the traditional values of cycling, which include endurance, teamwork, and strategy. And in this growing debate, Sean Kelly has emerged as one of the more vocal critics.
Sean Kelly’s Storied Career and Perspective on the Sport
To understand why Sean Kelly’s views on Strava KOMs carry such weight, it’s important to consider his legendary status in the world of cycling. Born in Ireland in 1956, Kelly was one of the most dominant riders of his era, known for his incredible versatility, relentless work ethic, and unmatched consistency. Over his two-decade-long career, Kelly amassed 193 professional victories, including major titles such as Paris-Nice (which he won seven times consecutively), Milan-San Remo, and the Vuelta a España, as well as multiple victories in prestigious one-day Classics like Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Kelly’s strength lay in his ability to compete at the highest level across a wide range of events—from grueling multi-day stage races to intense one-day Classics, to punishing mountain stages and time trials. His dominance in the 1980s earned him the nickname “The King of the Classics” and solidified his place as one of cycling’s greatest all-around riders.
Having ridden through one of cycling’s golden eras, Kelly’s perspective is grounded in the traditional values of the sport: hard work, grit, and the pursuit of excellence in real-world competition. For him, cycling has always been about pushing physical and mental boundaries over long distances, conquering challenging terrains, and competing head-to-head with the best riders in the world. It’s no surprise, then, that Kelly doesn’t have much time for Strava KOMs or the culture that surrounds them.
Kelly’s Critique: Why Strava KOMs Miss the Mark
When asked about the growing obsession with Strava times, Sean Kelly was blunt in his assessment: “I don’t really take any interest in them,” he said, referring to KOMs and other virtual accolades on the app. For Kelly, the idea of competing for digital crowns based on a specific segment of a ride—often lasting only a few minutes—seems to miss the essence of what cycling is truly about.
Kelly’s first and most significant criticism is that Strava KOMs promote a narrow and often misguided view of what makes a cyclist great. While chasing the fastest time on a particular climb or stretch of road may provide a short-term boost of satisfaction, it doesn’t reflect the broader skill set required to excel in cycling. “Cycling isn’t about who can climb a hill the fastest one time,” Kelly explained. “It’s about endurance, strategy, and the ability to perform over hours, days, and weeks.”
The focus on KOMs, Kelly argues, distorts what cycling should be about, particularly for amateur cyclists who may prioritize chasing Strava segments over developing well-rounded abilities. Instead of working on improving overall fitness, endurance, or race tactics, many riders become obsessed with achieving a specific KOM time, often sacrificing the broader benefits of structured training.
The Danger of Reckless Riding and Short-Term Goals
Beyond concerns over a narrowed focus, Kelly also worries that the Strava KOM obsession encourages reckless behavior. In the pursuit of digital crowns, many cyclists push themselves to dangerous limits, often riding at breakneck speeds on public roads, weaving through traffic, or descending steep hills without regard for their own safety or the safety of others. “You hear stories of riders taking crazy risks to set a new Strava time, and for what? A number on an app?” Kelly remarked, voicing his concern that the drive for KOMs can lead to unnecessary accidents.
Indeed, there have been numerous reports of cyclists engaging in risky behavior while attempting to achieve KOMs. Riders often push themselves to the brink, ignoring traffic laws or basic safety precautions, all in the name of a new personal record. In some cases, these risks have led to serious injuries or even fatalities. Kelly’s critique here is rooted in a deep understanding of cycling’s inherent dangers, and his message is clear: the pursuit of a KOM isn’t worth risking one’s life.
Kelly also noted that focusing solely on short-term goals, such as achieving the fastest time on a single segment, takes away from the long-term development of a cyclist. “Cycling is a sport of patience and persistence,” Kelly said. “You don’t become great by chasing times on an app. You become great by consistently training, learning from your mistakes, and building your endurance over time.”
Strava’s Role in the Modern Cycling Landscape
Despite his criticisms, Kelly acknowledges that Strava has its place in modern cycling, particularly as a tool for tracking performance and encouraging community engagement. For many cyclists, especially those who may not compete in formal races, Strava provides motivation to get out and ride, as well as a way to connect with other cyclists from around the world. The social features of the app allow cyclists to support and challenge each other, creating a virtual community that has helped popularize the sport in recent years.
Kelly isn’t against using technology to improve performance, but he cautions against allowing digital metrics to overshadow the true spirit of cycling. “It’s great that people are getting out and riding, and if Strava helps with that, then that’s a positive thing. But the focus should be on improving yourself as a rider, not just on chasing virtual trophies.”
Kelly’s point is well-taken in the context of the broader debate over Strava’s role in the sport. While the app can be an excellent tool for tracking progress, setting goals, and fostering community, it’s essential to remember that real cycling success is measured not in KOMs or personal records but in the rider’s overall development, resilience, and ability to perform in real-world competition.
Moving Forward: A Balanced Approach to Strava
As cycling continues to evolve in the digital age, finding a balance between the benefits of modern technology and the timeless values of the sport is crucial. For Kelly, the key is not to reject Strava outright but to use it wisely, keeping the bigger picture in mind. Rather than obsessing over individual segment times, cyclists should focus on improving their overall fitness, learning race strategies, and developing the endurance necessary to succeed in long-term challenges.
“I’m not saying don’t use Strava,” Kelly clarified. “But don’t let it become your only focus. Real cycling is about more than just numbers on a screen—it’s about the journey, the discipline, and the determination to keep pushing yourself, day in and day out.”
Kelly’s message is clear: while Strava KOMs may provide a short-term sense of accomplishment, they don’t define a cyclist’s true ability or potential. For riders who aspire to greatness—whether at the amateur or professional level—the real test lies not in a digital crown but in the resilience, endurance, and mental toughness required to excel in the sport’s most demanding arenas.
A Call for Perspective
Sean Kelly’s critique of the Strava KOM culture serves as a reminder that, in a sport as demanding as cycling, there are no shortcuts to greatness. While technology has undoubtedly changed the way we approach training and competition, the core values of cycling remain the same: hard work, perseverance, and the ability to perform when it matters most.
For amateur cyclists caught up in the pursuit of digital accolades, Kelly’s words offer a dose of perspective. Cycling is about more than just setting the fastest time on a
