George Katselis started his cycling career at Meliteia and continued at Panathinaikos and the Hellas National Team. At the age of 58, George Katselis will come to Rhodes to participate in Historica, which will take place from the 11th to the 13th of October.
What stays with you after so many years involvement with cycling?
“What I have left is the people and athletes with whom I have worked and competed. This was not transient. They are brotherly friendships that still endure. Apart from the successes and the beautiful moments, the friendships are the ones that stay and remind us of the old days. “
What were the best moments of your competition years?
“There are many. The arrival of Ilias Kelesidis from (the then) Czechoslovakia along with coach Pavel Dolezel. My victory in the Tour of Egypt in 1984, 4th place in the 1987 Mediterranean Games in Morocco, 3rd in the Tour of Turkey and many, many times in Greece.”
What memories do you have about races in Rhodes?
“I raced many times in Rhodes and participated in many training camps. Every year, we were excited to come to Rhodes, where there were great cyclists such as Manikaros, Koudras, Vogiatzis, Krommydas, Politis and many others. Only the best I remember from Rhodes. What was happening on the island and at the velodrome did not exist anywhere else in Greece. People loved cycling with a fanaticism. The Rhodians have a cycling education, the crowd filled the stadiums and there was always a fantastic atmosphere. “
Who would you like to see and meet again at Historica after so many years?
“The athletes of our National Team from 1984 to 1987. We raced together and we shared many special moments. Since then we have grown older. Some of us occasionally meet but we have never been all together. Now it’s a good opportunity. “
What is your view of Historica?
“What the organizers do is pleasant and beautiful. It will unite us after many years. My point is that someone had to do the Historica, and even better to do it in Rhodes, which has a great history of cycling. Congratulations to George and all the organizers. “
