Dan's stage guides at the giro a few years ago were great. He's ruining the sport I love - I avoid many races purely because he's the commentator. but the bike was nowhere to be found!" Eurosport commentator. Well, Ill tell you: It makes your view of the race verifiable when youre there. And then, of course, there are the flat stages and the sprint finishes. Carlton Kirby Cycling Commentator On The Nature Of Cycling Broadcasts He threw the toys out of the pram because his head is scrambled by these defeats. Now it is live pictures going onto blogs, stream TV pictures. Yep, thats my pick. When asked about the criticism, Kirby opined Its not like the written press where you can write something out and finesse it and shave it, I dont have that gift. He kept on saying, Its gone, its irretrievable. Fantasy Cycling: game [at] road.cc At dinner, you gather around the table and argue the hell out of it, and thats a big thing. All of this stuff adds to the vrit of the broadcast, and its stuff you cannot get in a studio in London. I quite like Kirby. With very little data being sent to them, and some pretty bad camerawork they have made a good fist of the event in Spain. It was a dreadfully high price to pay in my opinion to high but the suffering couldnt go on. Eurosport is transmitting the same amount of races as any standard european tv channel - go to Italy where it is their number 2 sport next to football - they dont struggle for professional sports commentators. There are several fan forums that constantly try to have him removed from Eurosport and even made a Carlton Kirby petition their demands on the grounds of inane chatter, terrible jokes, and unnecessary screaming. In their eyes, he is one of the worst cycling commentators. I am having this problem too. While cycling commentator Carlton Kirby and his teammates would normally head across the channel for the Tour de France, the recent situation suggests he will be covering the 2020 edition from the Eurosport studios in London. Hes done it four times, and I think he might want to do it again on the Champs-lyses. You are as ill informed as Kirby. 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. Yates ended up going out the back of the peloton, losing 1.22. Whenever I watch an anglophone stream online because there is no other way for me to watch a race I have to think of the HIMYM episode where Barney goes to get Robin from Canada and, looking at the "funny" Canadian dollars, says: "It's like you want us to make fun of you". Tom Owen vents his fury after cycling blogger highlights verbal abuse on Box Hill, Geraint Thomas returns as domestique in experienced nine-man line-up, Summit finishes dominate opening fortnight with potentially pivotal time trial in final week, The best of the gear that's dropped into RCUK over the last couple of weeks, One carbon bike and two alloy models for 2016 'cross campaign from Chain Reaction Cycles' in-house bike brand. Well then I propose a CN forum audio livestream for the tour de france. Id love to see this Eurosport commentator substantiate even 1% of the outrageous claims he makes. I had almost no idea what was going on or who was where. You only need to listen to him to get that he has no time for Johnny Foreigner. CK: You need the details. "Beware everybody, he is well and truly back!" yelled Carlton Kirby on Eurosport commentary. Conversely, a Carlton Kirby Fan Club exists for those who love the cycling commentator. Thus, the commentary that you hear wont come from the finish line, but rather from some television studio thousands of miles away. I never say when Im on-site vs. at the race. The moment you have spoken a word, it is out there on tape and on every news website, forum, and who knows what. The walls do move when they pile in too. 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. To my mind, the motorcycles are the most dangerous because they have the least ability to stop. Quite brilliant and gutsy from Tom. 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 . As just one example, the long list of criticisms he has levelled at Thibault Pinot. We have a quiet conversation about who is going to win today. Fully agree Kirby is the most irritable commentator ever. We cant do that when hes at his house and Im at mine. Every time she fought back from a coma we were warned. Cycling is a sport where there are no time limits and there are no constant action-packed sequences to speak about. The word count for me at the end is almost blurred.. The commentary line-up will include regular voices Rob Hatch and Carlton Kirby, who will also joined by cycling legend Sean Kelly at all three major races. How much longer do the cycling public have to suffer the idiotic commentary from Carlton Kirby ?? He's fine when it's all action but flounders when it's a longer stage. pic.twitter.com/TkvUUUeBXs. A new bike is coming very soon! 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Where is the central body that has its own rules of discipline and rules of engagement that respect distance protocol and passing protocol under the race director? On the last Vuelta a Espaa, Tinkhoff threatened to pull his team out because two of his riders - one of whom is Peter Sagan - were hit by vehicles. In the second episode of Story Time with Carlton Kirby, the Eurosport commentator reads an excerpt from his book (Magic Spanner) about how British cycling caused a seismic change in the. We get to see our own output with our team interviewing the riders. 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. Carlton Kirby: What inspired Chris Froome's golden era Eurosport's voice of cycling Carlton Kirby analyses Chris Froome's performance in winning a fourth Tour de France. Kirbys Knowledge and Enthusiasm on the Mic is Unparalleled, When Kirby explains the difficult process of commentating on cycling, Michael Matthews powers to Bretagne Classic victory, Bora-hansgrohe riders false positive raises new doubts over accuracy of COVID-19 testing, Giro dItalia, Milan-San Remo under threat of cancellation due to coronavirus, Ewan storms to victory on stage 2 of UAE Tour. I remember being impressed during the Giro at his ability to identify riders. Me too. Having spent over 25 years in the field, he has seen a lot, as many other countless commentators have seen. . You don't need to be that close to the riders to get snaps. March 2, 2022 . The headline does anyway, while the sources in the article cover a few different potential causes. Cycling Commentators on Eurosport 2021 ProCyclingUK.com For no reason. A football match lasts for hardly ninety minutes, a rugby match is over in eighty minutes, whilst a basketball game takes only thirty-eight minutes to finish. For example, I know that Jakob Fuglsangs last name means bird song, which is a nice little thing. Controversial! He is now only four short. Shouldnt be that hard to organise with so many people here able to talk eloquently and intelligently for 4 hours. It is irretrievable. Like in any other sports, being a cycling commentator for a broadcast has its own perks & lows. 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. Carlton's voice is familiar to fans of Motorsports and Cycling both on British Television and throughout the world. If it goes on for two or three years, then people will notice because the freshness of what is in our heads will ebb. A piece of the petition has gained over 542 signatures demanding the removal of Carlton Kirby from Eurosports, citing Unnecessary Screaming, Terrible Jokes as one of the biggest downsides. Kittel is not a broken man, but his supremacy has tumbled because Mark Cavendish has only gone and won four stages here. Minutes later, Sean Kelly points out that Padun is 'not getting around the corners well not comfortable whatsoever on the descent'. It means sometimes were not actually commentating from the finish line because the Tour de France is so huge theres about 8,000 people attached to the Tour. I like Carlton too, not as much as Harmon, granted, but I've given up on him coming back. Don't miss a moment from Paris-Roubaix and Unbound Gravel, to the Giro dItalia, Tour de France, Vuelta a Espaa, and everything in between when you #cycling @carltonkirby whatsonreading.com Carlton Kirby True Tales of the Tour de France | What's On Reading So poor . You must invest in an alarm upgrade to BT Redcare. Joe Robinson. Mark is already the greatest sprinter there has ever been. You cant please everybody and as a commentator thats something you have to get to grips with. De Gendt, Volta 2019 Stage 1 winner. Carlton Kirby Kirby is the most marmite commentator there is. he's saving his energy. Continuing our discussion of 2020's cancelled/postponed races continues, Eurosport bon viveur Carlton Kirby discusses why riding up Swiss mountains is easier than riding up French mountains; villages accessible only by ladder; the world's highest lighthouse; 70s balladeer Gilbert O'Sullivan; human . All rights reserved. You have your usual office equipment, coffee machine, and sandwich machine. Are you sure? Absolutely mad. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. 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. I often moan about Kirby myself, but I don't. and clearly was totally clueless. It just stays online forever. Bridport cycles. Cue points, Kirby adds, are a bigger problem at Eurosport than with other networks, with producers calling for radio silence across the Eurosports various nationalbroadcasts to assist with the editing process. Stay tuned! What a load of rubbish - Team Sky Fan !! Harmon's attitude can best be described as 'wogs begin at Calais'. If she wins so does everyone else. You can use your lens. Discovery company. All rights reserved. Always the hardest and most challenging role in such types of games is of a cycling commentator. Log in or register to join the conversation. Eurosport - Wikipedia 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.. Jason Kenny has recounted to the BBC the near miss he and his infant son Albie encountered while out cycling last month. Kirby continues to put his notes togetheronce hearrives at the commentary booth, reading the local press andKellys grasp of colloquial French coming into its own. I speak no language other than English. And its only the past year that we even get to see more than the Tour de France. I think you need to be a specialist to be a cycling commentator, yet he covers several sports on Eurosport. Various types of distractions are always ready for a commentator. But Mark Cavendish says no: what the track does is make you think fast, it makes you think within a very tight set of circumstances. Teams have been announced for May's Tour de Yorkshire and the Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women's Race. Pure invention; based on nothing. Or at least diminished. He further says, "In tennis, you never talk through a point because the crowd doesn't. Q&A: Eurosport's Carlton Kirby on announcing the Tour de France from Eurosport is a group of pay television networks in Europe and parts of Asia. She talks about the background to the petition, which you can sign here, in this video. That is because like most hacks they are too arrogant to do any research and preparation. Live blog: "outrageous claims" - Tao Geoghegan Hart lays into Eurosport My primary issue with Carlton Kirby is that he doesn't commentate on what is happening (he rambles whatever is inside his head). View our media pack. They seem to think that it is enough to just talk about english speaking riders, or to 'emote' any time there is a crash, or a difficult corner. AndKirby wouldnt have it any other way, even if there are those who dont always appreciate what goes into calling a Tour de France stage. A mile from home, looked behind me, moved to the centre of the lane, stuck my arm out to turn right, got Editorial, general: info [at] road.cc It is just crazy the amount of automotive stuff on the go, whether that is cars or motorcycles, that are getting too close to the riders, too often. Best known for his work on Eurosport, his voice has also appeared on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Motors TV, Cycling TV, Speed Channel USA, ABC Australia, SABC South Africa, Canal Plus France, Canal France International and more. Le point sur la situation de Yoann Offredo. But it was here he developed the ability to call a sprint. Harmon LOVES cycling, cycling history, and even riders who don't speak English. The Tour forces us to have dinner. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. CK:As a commentator, you dont have a great deal of contact with the riders. Especially on the downhill runs which is a crazy situation. From the Eurosports studios in London, covering the tour is not the same as waiting at the finish line. But I do allow people to believe Im always on-site. Eurosport's lead cycling commentator Carlton Kirby has called for action to regulate the role of motor vehicles in the sport following the tragic death of Belgium's Antoine Demoitie, who was. As we reported at the time, the six-time Olympic champion tweeted that he had been on a Sunday bike ride with his son when they were almost run over by a van driver who drove at us, then proceeded to angrily inform me it was my fault we nearly died.. Among an awful lot of distractions, as Carlton Kirby explains, commentating on cycling is an arduous process. I tweeted quite a few comments which clearly annoyed him. It's their commentators or silence. Carlton Kirby: What inspired Chris Froome's golden era - Eurosport Story Time with Carlton Kirby: The art of commentary and an - Eurosport Help us to make it better. There's also his lack of knowledge. Were literally opening up Sean Kellys cranium to learn the nuances of the sport, and he comes out and says which guy is going to go on and win the next day. Next time you watch, ask yourself how many of his critiques are aimed against non-Anglophone riders. Mark Cavendish crossed the line first, and said Kittel came up to slap him in the back. Painting a verbal picture of a five-hour race is stream of consciousness, and to be able to do that effectively, you just need to be there. 4th in last year's Giro d'Italia. Kirby remarks, Its not like a written press where you can write something out and finesse it and shave it. Thats when it down to you and not the riders.. It easy to forget that before this tour Mark Cavendish, the greatest of all great sprinters, had never beaten Marcel Kittel in a head-to-head. The youngsters were congratulated by the force on Twitter, as they helped chase down a thief who had stolen over 300 worth of goods. Kittel moves first into Cavendish, who follows the white line. Also add in several alert mobile keyholders. After my tweet he at least toned that down. If you don't like something, how else can you change it - by saying nothing? 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. . But it is also true that there isnt a dearth of genuine fans of Kirby who really appreciate his vast knowledge on the field. Following a two year broadcasting secondment with the United Nations in the South Pacific he joined ITV as TVams overnight Sports Producer and Reporter. 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. if many people would do this via twitter it could at least give a sign. ), there is a thread in the Eurosport 'comments and suggestions' forum requesting that he be removed from the roster. This is why he often cracks jokes and laughs heartily. (PS If there's anything here about donating, that's the website host - nothing to do with this petition - there is nothing to donate to. His knowledge of most non-english speaking riders can be written on the back of a postage stamp, with the exception of 'famous' foreigners like the Schlecks, Dertie Cont, Cancellera and after this spring Gilbert. Well, Kirby says, when its all out action on the road its very easy the problem comes on longtransition stages. I have - again - sent this to Eurosport (23/2/23, with 1,871 signatures - and 1,400 people taking the time to comment!). 14 Aug 2020. Eurosport cant get away with this !! About - Carlton Kirby Even once the race itself is over, and the post-analysis is done, theres a second race to get away from the finish line. I think as well that audiences will be sympathetic, so even if they know were not there, we will be upfront and honest about it. You get the atmosphere and emotion of a place. Page 6 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community. The prodigious British riderTao Geoghegan Hart laid into Kirby's"outrageous claims", and Owain Doull also chipped in to describe Kirby as a "proper muppet". Doesn't look that pretty, cable tied, very practical. That is the way it appears. That is in fact my main Friday occupation. Get rid. Here they are listed below, but we already know there will be one change - Team Sky will be racing as Team Ineos, with the Tour de Yorkshire being its first race following the management company's sale to the petrochemical business. You can sound like youre a genius, with an incredible memory, Kirby says. ), peppered with the repeated clichs (just see how many times he says 'puppy paws', joining the party or a dozen or so others). Thats one of the vagrancies of Eurosport.. Driver escapes punishment for alleged hit-and-run on cyclist, as victim blasts police inaction and barriers to justice. VN:When youre at the race, who are you talking to regularly to get your intel for the broadcast? What blasphemy is this? Marcel Kittel gesticulates as Mark Cavendish wins stage 14 of the Tour de France ahead of Peter Sagan, Stage six finish: Cavendish edges Kittel again in thrilling finale, WATCH: Moment Cavendish finds out he has won. But Kirby is only interested in his own narrative: McEwen told him twice that Herrada had won, but Kirby kept eulogising about Batistella's 'win', even as Herrada celebrated further coming past the camera. That is common in France and Belgium with a dedicated roving reporter from the race roving all over the peloton and having a chat. Such things impact ones reputation a lot, and there is no way around it. (Clarke is a very good rider, but there is nothing to suggest he SHOULD have won the 2016 M-SR. Watch the race.). Kirby has however found his own distinctive and unique style which has brilliantly worked for him all these years. Cycling Commentators on Eurosport & GCN 2022 - ProCyclingUK.com It is not general knowledge, and it should be. Carlton Kirby: 'Yates is the heart and mind of this breakaway group'. There are no gaps you might shut up for five seconds or so to listen to the crowd, but thats it.. During a long interview, the legendary veteran commentator of Eurosports shares some of his knowledge about the job. To cycling fans, Carlton Kirbys voice has become synonymous with the sport, having become an integral part of British Eurosports racecoverage. We need to get to tomorrows finish line, and sometimes that is a four-hour drive. Like this site? New Eurosport presentation team for cycling's Grand Tours