There are many great cycling commentators around at the moment, Im afraid Kirby isnt one of them. And thats where comes the utterly significant role of the commentator who not only has to fill the huge time span but needs to stay alert at all times. To my mind, the motorcycles are the most dangerous because they have the least ability to stop. pic.twitter.com/MaRgbFKTet, The Ella Roberta Family Foundation (@rosamund_ElsFdn) March 25, 2019, @emmachamberlain at her soul cycling class. If she wins so does everyone else. 1/9/22 4.2km to go, Stage 12 Vuelta a Espana: the riders are going uphill.Kirby: as they get to this step, but it doesnt last long, its like your mums old step, give it a polish, give it a clean and then a clean pair of heels to everybody else. But he's British and that's all that matters to Kirby. And this sort of meaningless, demented jabber is not at all unusual I could have chosen many examples just from today. Minutes later, Sean Kelly points out that Padun is 'not getting around the corners well not comfortable whatsoever on the descent'. While folk littering with gel wrappers is no doubt annoying, is it really up there with fly-tipping? I've also been known to drag washing machines behind the bike and throw them down embankments, along with piles of grass clippings, black bags of household rubbish and several hubcaps. As you say, he doesn't shout unnecessarily either. He has poor knowledge and really just annoys everyone. The demands of media and multimedia these days make it more of a serious problem. For god's sake grow up the man's just doing his job some of it good, some of it bad Is it my imagination or has there been more talk about commentators than cycling on here recently? If you don't like something, how else can you change it - by saying nothing? Every time she fought back from a coma we were warned. Carlton Kirby is a sports commentator who is most known for his work commentating on the Tour de France. Im a bit annoyed at myself because I lost my temper at the time. But it is also true that there isnt a dearth of genuine fans of Kirby who really appreciate his vast knowledge on the field. why must us cyclists have to tolerate a commentator who has no knowledge of professional cycling. i like the stuff the two GCN guys do, is it dan Loyd and Matt Stephens? I can get caught out, particularly if theres a crash in the last three kilometres, because that can animate the tempo even more and I have to keep something in reserve for the sprint finish. Ive now just watched the end of Milan-Sanremo again: Aranburu wasnt in the first group behind Morhoric, so he literally couldnt have come higher than 10th. Can you at least extend our premium subscriptions so we can play all races, until you fix the issue? The Tour forces us to have dinner. Valverde gets it very, very wrong!" exclaimed . Whilst im not Carltons biggest fan (prefer Backstead w Harmon) I very much doubt I could talk for between 1 and 5 hours without descending into complete nonsense from time to time. During a sprint stage, every turn is important, and sometimes Ill walk the final approach with [commentator] Sean Kelly, and there will be no need to even take notes, because hell just say, Oh, this will be shit. You can read an off-camber turn when youre standing on it, and see the attack points when youre going up and down a mountain. The schedule and time duration work differently for every sport. They basically work on the principle that people watching cycling in english are only interested in english speaking riders. Eurosport is a group of pay television networks in Europe and parts of Asia. It is a free-for-all. What is his cycling background ? VN:So, what really is gained by being on-site? Carlton Kirby: 'Yates is the heart and mind of this breakaway group'. Thats when it down to you and not the riders.. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. And its only the past year that we even get to see more than the Tour de France. You cant please everybody and as a commentator thats something you have to get to grips with. Carlton Kirby: No matter if youre in a mobile unit at the finish, or in a studio with air conditioning and a coffee machine, youre doing the same thing, the view out the window is just different. Also, I would say many of his criticisms are unfair and/or cruel. In the mountains, when you have say four significant peaks to climb, the day tells itself and often all you have to do is call it as it happens. Yeah he does. There are no gaps you might shut up for five seconds or so to listen to the crowd, but thats it.. And anybody who has watched one unfold on TV will recognise the frantic speed of the commentary as the race reaches its climax. Id love to see this Eurosport commentator substantiate even 1% of the outrageous claims he makes. You have to say who they are, where they are on the road, what colour theyre in and call the tactics and often all within 30-45 seconds of sheer hell and manic action. And then, of course, there are the flat stages and the sprint finishes. . Tour of Turkey cycling video - 'He's back!' - Mark - Eurosport because there wuld be an uprising in the country. As for the Sky Team Fans member - you wouldnt actually be Mr Kirby would you ???? if many people would do this via twitter it could at least give a sign. Apologies it's in super annoying meme form (we couldn't find the originalsource) but this is too good not too share! Discovery through its international sports unit, it operates two main channels Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2 across most of its territories, and streams on Discovery+, which superseded Eurosport Player. Astonishingly though, a single stage of the Tour de France lasts for about more than six hours. Story Time with Carlton Kirby: Mankini's and mechanicals | "The I like Kelly just out of respect more than anything. I have - again - sent this to Eurosport (23/2/23, with 1,871 signatures - and 1,400 people taking the time to comment!). I realise that commentating on a race involving nearly 200 riders is challenging, but since 1986 I have always been able to follow what is going on thanks to the commentary. Can you imagine Paris-Roubaix with Kirby commentating? Ive gotten drunk on the Galibier and been evacuated off the Galibier. And it is at that point, Cav comes out of the shadows to mug him at the line. Like in any other sports, being a cycling commentator for a broadcast has its own perks & lows. Seriously. We usually have to drive to the finish line, which is where the commentary positions normally are theyre like double-decker coaches all lined up there, Kirby sayd. It is not so bad if they are in front because the rider can tell the motorbike to go away, but if it is trailing the rider and the rider comes off, there is always the possibility of impact. When youre on-site, even though youre there, youre still watching a monitor, Kirby says. Listen to Carlton Kirby's Cycling Lock-In on TuneIn Cycling Commentators on Eurosport 2021 ProCyclingUK.com Juan Antonio Flecha and Johnny Hoogerland were sent into barbed wire on the Tour de France because the France TV van was about to hit a tree having a run out of road, but took the softer option of the riders. You always get letters or emails from people who really enjoyed your commentary, but youll always get those who hate every fibre of your being.. Not that itsa straightforward drive to the finish at the Tour, as Kirby explains. Absolutely mad. For over 20 years, be it the Tour de France, Olympic Games, Monte Carlo Rally or Le Mans 24 Hours, his easy-going manner coupled with incisive commentary and a dramatic edge has made him an audience favourite. Hes done it four times, and I think he might want to do it again on the Champs-lyses. And then, you hang a look at anyone who is there to find out if theyre going to listen to you. you can't have it on while doing other things and then return to the screen when it gets interesting because by the time Kirby has noticed many minutes will have passed. De Gendt, Volta 2019 Stage 1 winner. Harmon's attitude can best be described as 'wogs begin at Calais'. Are you sure? Even once the race itself is over, and the post-analysis is done, theres a second race to get away from the finish line. From dealing with the never-ending frenzy of action, and incessant radio announcements, to having to tackle the director. Carlton Kirby brings his True Tales of the Tour de France to Reading on Weds June 21, a little over a week before #TDF2023 , as he launches his new @BloomsburySport book, Sticky Bottle . Over 3,200 worth of amazing prizes from Pacenti Cycle Design and Saint Piran, including some stunning carbon wheels! To cycling fans, Carlton Kirby's voice has become synonymous with the sport, having become an integral part of British Eurosport's race coverage. As well as sports commentary his voiceover work includes corporate videos and feature films as well as radio and television advertising. Yates was obviously cooked - why else would anyone work for dozens of kilometres and then give up in the final 2km? Next time you watch, ask yourself how many of his critiques are aimed against non-Anglophone riders. Kirby laughs. De Gendt, ganador de la primera etapa de la Volta 2019. You don't need to be that close to the riders to get snaps. Eurosport's voice of cycling Carlton Kirby analyses the collision between Peter Sagan and Mark Cavendish that ended the Tour de France for both men. After my tweet he at least toned that down. Well ride that sympathy and see how far it takes us up the beach. He inspires such devotion that he has his own fan club, yet also is on the receiving end of a petition to get him sacked. Like this site? You also have picture breakdowns, sometimes audio breakdowns so weve got all that going on and we havent even got on to the racing yet!. The man, the myth, the chosen son. This year alone, we had a Sky rider getting his elbow clipped by a security vehicle when he went for a gap when none existed. You take yourself to the studio, call up your procyclingstats.com, do your research online. Cavendish swept to his second win at the Tour of Turkey with another . Carlton Kirby Cycling Commentator On The Nature Of Cycling Broadcasts Essentially, there needs to be some sort of schooling or protocol coming from the International Cycling Union that has a proficiency test for these guys. To my mind, the motorised vehicles are getting far too close, a point I continue to pick up on commentary. Uhhh, Ill say Bettiol. Eurosport's lead cycling commentator Carlton Kirby presents a weekly guide to everything that's NOT happening in the sport this year, with stories and reflections from his 25 years in the gantry. He further says, "In tennis, you never talk through a point because the crowd doesn't. Set the scene for us. Also, Kirby criticises riders in almost every race. Its windowless. VN:What do you talk about differently when youre in the studio? That should have been alarm bells for everyone. Thankfully, no tree roots to overcome. He's obsessed with what he thinks is going to happen, preferring baseless speculation to commentating on what is actually happening. And, one can understand the enthusiasm that has kept him going despite the setbacks and even criticism from people. 35m is 100ft. Pure invention; based on nothing. Also add in several alert mobile keyholders. Thats one of the vagrancies of Eurosport.. As for Kirby - its the arrogance of the bloke - does he think his viewers are 10 year olds who know NOTHING about cycling. Of all the criticisms that can be leveled at him (not recognising riders, not admitting he doesn't recognise a rider), being only interested in angolophone riders isn't one of them. And yet, love him or loathe him, Kirbys voice is as intrinsically linked to the Tour de France, for Eurosport viewers at least, as other famous voices across the sporting spectrum. I think there seems to be a bad feeling against cyclists and its really strange because theyre only people, he continued. He is now only four short. For every Nicolas Roche or Steve Cummings great characters, totally locked down there are some savage bastards out there, and we love them all. CK:As a commentator, you dont have a great deal of contact with the riders. Kirby has the benefit of what he calls the ultimate pass the presence of his legendary co-commentator when it comes to cutting through the crowds and police lines. I often moan about Kirby myself, but I don't. JavaScript is disabled. Carlton Kirby: What inspired Chris Froome's golden era - Eurosport To show no fear is the best skill of all. Eurosport's Carlton Kirby in Conversation - Magazine - Ride Velo Mrs John Murphy May 3, 2010 2,662 0 0 Aug 26, 2011. At dinner, you gather around the table and argue the hell out of it, and thats a big thing. We cant do that when hes at his house and Im at mine. Even my partner, who doesn't watch cycling, could tell who had won. It is all well having experience, but at some of the smaller races who are the guys riding these bikes? I do love the sport because its a crescendo sport. Mark thought it was congratulations, but it was Kittel hitting him on the back in frustration. He has to engage with the directors in the ear, guarantee that innumerable hours of gaps are filled in suitably, deal with incoming radio announcements, all the while tackling an uproar of a different kind with the action around him. Hosted by Duncan Steer. Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. Learn More, Blog: Abusing other cyclists highlights everything wrong with cycling in Britain, Chris Froome backed by strong Team Sky squad for Vuelta a Espana, Vuelta a Espana 2015 route: five stages which could decide the race, Vuelta a Espana 2015: five stages which could decide the race. and apologises to those who don't. 00:04:00, 29/05/2020 at 08:52 Related Eurosport have a lot of these, so theres a lot of conversation going on in your ear [between producers] and its quite a task trying to keep the flow of what you are saying, Kirby says. For me, Carlton is the perfect commentator for the 'early shift' on long, flat grand tour stages. Matt Stephens will be Eurosport's dedicated reporter on all Grand Tour coverage, bringing breaking news, updates, and interviews from inside the peloton. I would rather have the sound off than listen to his pathetic attempts to link words and phrases together rather than comment on the racing (as opposed to being able to identify riders) about which he knows precious little. Being a commentator is all about improvisation and Kirby knows this quite well considering his huge range of experience. e-bikes are very much the SUVs of the car world with every manufacturer seemingly keen to add at least one to their range to not miss out. You have a sound wall battle, where theyre shoving one way and were shoving the other while trying to sound calm and interesting on the commentary when actually what you want to do is knock someone out! 14 Aug 2020. Twaddle. We caught up with Kirby to learn what is gained for the telecast and what is lost from these two very different broadcasting scenarios. Hosted by Duncan Steer Carlton Kirby's Cycling Lock-In Radio Days Events Sports NOV 24, 2021 London live show preview! The most interesting people are the race commissars, and talking with them you get a lot of insight into who they are keeping an eye on. I don't think much does get through to him, I really wish it did. Simon Yates drops back to the Peloton in the last 2km - Carlton Kirby: 'Yates has decided this isn't worth the candle' - i.e. ), there is a thread in the Eurosport 'comments and suggestions' forum requesting that he be removed from the roster. When we drive to the finish well usually get on the course, because were badged up to do it, and then make notes. You could hear a pin drop. This latest incident proves exactly that. Harmon LOVES cycling, cycling history, and even riders who don't speak English. CK:Its pretty bleak. Maybe it's because he doesn't ride a bike himself? Yes Harmon is okay and like I said - at least he does his homework on the teams and riders and hangs on every word uttered by Sean Kellyas though he is keen to learn the professional circuit. Interview: Life on Tour with Eurosport commentator Carlton Kirby They will tell you, Yes, so-and-so is looking really mentally fatigued, or, they are saying, Hes getting very aggressive in the peloton and weve had a word with the team, that is all great information.