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. We have seen far too much of it - near collisions as much as actual collisions over the past few years. 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. CK:I think not many people will notice. I agree listening to the mans over stressed enthusiasm really gets on my nerves. From dealing with the never-ending frenzy of action, and incessant radio announcements, to having to tackle the director. We caught up with Kirby to learn what is gained for the telecast. I make notes of the corners, pinch points, danger points, acceleration points, attack points all of those things.. You don't need to be that close to the riders to get snaps. These local mountain bikers tried Athletic Brewing Company's craft beer for the first time, and you'd be surprised by their reactions. Harmon LOVES cycling, cycling history, and even riders who don't speak English. One example of his commentary, from 11/3/21 Tirreno-Adriatico: Carlton Kirby: 'Yates is the heart and mind of this breakaway group'. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. Kittel is still the fastest guy out there, but when he turns on the taps there is going to be a point when his maximum capacity starts to diminish. Antoine Demoitie tragically died after being hit by a motorbike. 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. Yates was obviously cooked - why else would anyone work for dozens of kilometres and then give up in the final 2km? All of this stuff adds to the vrit of the broadcast, and its stuff you cannot get in a studio in London. Kirby has more than two decades as a commentatorbehind him and, alongside Irish legend Sean Kelly, has been back at the Tour de France this year calling the action from Utrecht through to Paris. Mark is already the greatest sprinter there has ever been. The moment you have spoken a word, it is out there on tape and on every news website, forum, and who knows what. Its the art of illusion. Brentford today angry guy in grey car can't see why he should wait till it's safe to overtake hoots horn, shouts abuse and 100 yards later I'm in front again anyway. I like him. Coverage includes enhanced production with access to helicopter, on-board and superslomo cameras. You take yourself to the studio, call up your procyclingstats.com, do your research online. We cant do that when hes at his house and Im at mine. Its the constant attempts at humour, then the giggling at his own in-jokes that has me reaching for the mute button. I just wish we had Liggett and Kelly doing the Grand Tours. 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. Theres so much stuff going on because in front of us for starters, we have live timing, results sheets, stage profiles, live pictures, alternative live pictures and a sub-monitor with the schedule. That is common in France and Belgium with a dedicated roving reporter from the race roving all over the peloton and having a chat. It was almost featureless and the riders would not engage in it at all. Strade Bianche 2023, March 4, one-day classic (men's & women's), 78th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: February 25, 2023, UAE Tour 2023, February 20-26 (women's race February 9-12), O Gran Camio 2023, Spain, February 23-26, 49th Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta (2.Pro) // February 15th - 19th 2023, Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne 2023 February 26, 196 km (1.Pro). After a long journeyback to the hotel, often punctuated by Kelly taking media calls especially on the stages he himself would have thrived on during his career its then a debrief over dinner and back to bed for a seven-hour sleep and restarting the process again the next day. There are no gaps you might shut up for five seconds or so to listen to the crowd, but thats it.. The Tour de Suisse is traditionally one of the last big races before the Tour de France. 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. There are many great cycling commentators around at the moment, Im afraid Kirby isnt one of them. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. We had a heated debate about the incident and then the person drove away. Eurosport is a group of pay television networks in Europe and parts of Asia. 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. 35m is 100ft. Mrs John Murphy May 3, 2010 2,662 0 0 Aug 26, 2011. The races are only on GCN/Eurosport. Brian Smith is very good and I feel for him having to listen to Kirby's dumbfounding comments. They kept the suspect in view and assisted us in the footchase before he was caught and arrested pic.twitter.com/QcQg7PBcsn, Wednesfield Police (@WednesfieldWMP) March 24, 2019. 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. Kittel was completely shocked, and has been getting more and more upset as this Tour has gone on. Nonetheless, one other thing that Kirby believes, sets the very best apart is commitment. One of the most adaptable voices on British Television, as can be seen from hisworking synopsis, Carltons range is wide. Not that itsa straightforward drive to the finish at the Tour, as Kirby explains. 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 View our media pack. On rest days we circulate to meet with everybody. While folk littering with gel wrappers is no doubt annoying, is it really up there with fly-tipping? What a load of rubbish - Team Sky Fan !! Cavendish swept to his second win at the Tour of Turkey with another . You cant please everybody and as a commentator thats something you have to get to grips with. 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. Tech in brief: new gear from Shimano, Park Tool, Wahoo and more Tech in brief: new gear from Shimano, Park Tool, Wahoo, Tortec and more Vitus launch three bikes for cyclo-cross season. Win! The word count for me at the end is almost blurred.. As for the Sky Team Fans member - you wouldnt actually be Mr Kirby would you ???? Plus the the week's top tech news, in: Flying Tom Pidcock wins Strade Bianche, in: Cyclists call on council to reconsider unsafe diversion, in: Call for Scottish safety portal that would "deliver justice", in: Campaigners: Remove pedestrian vs cyclist conflict, in: Highway Code changes haven't helped cyclists, Near Miss of the Day 853: Driver of lorry urging cyclists to Please take extra care near this vehicle fined for close pass (includes swearing), Continental unveils the "strongest" and "fastest" ever Grand Prix 5000 tyre models, Brompton boss frustrated to be fighting "war of attrition" against rip-off rivals, Remove conflict between cyclists and pedestrians, urge campaigners in wake of manslaughter case, Have bike tech wars turned cycling into Formula 1? When actually its just hand-written sheet of notes to recall from.. He further says, "In tennis, you never talk through a point because the crowd doesn't. He's obsessed with what he thinks is going to happen, preferring baseless speculation to commentating on what is actually happening. Riders who perhaps finished tenth on a day will be livid that we didnt eulogise about them, but Im sorry, I was talking about the person who finished first. They have produced some merchandise like cycling caps and badges, they get together at Carltons events. 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. 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. And this sort of meaningless, demented jabber is not at all unusual I could have chosen many examples just from today. 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. ), there is a thread in the Eurosport 'comments and suggestions' forum requesting that he be removed from the roster. When all the commentators from different nationalities are inside the same studio room, it is no longer the same as before, remarks Kirby, in a monotonous tone. And he has outthought Marcel Kittel here. You get the atmosphere and emotion of a place. 14 Aug 2020. Whilst im not a great fan of Carlton Kirkby I very much doubt I could talk for between 1 and 5 hours without descending into complete nonsense from time to time. 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. From wrestling with sound walls, coping with dropped audio, working with Sean Kelly and deciphering the Kirby CODEC, we caught up with Kirby midway through the raceto getan insight into life on Tour as a commentator. Ive gotten drunk on the Galibier and been evacuated off the Galibier. Quite often you are talking while being handed a note, being spoken to by the director, and listening to race radio at the same time as well, says Kirby. I'm not sure if they have forgotten about the rule, or if it was always just advisory. JavaScript is disabled. Eurosport's lead cycling commentator Carlton Kirby presents a weekly guide to everything that's NOT happening in the sport . American racers headed to Italy chime in. In the early 1990s he became a freelance commentator. He clearly thinks he's the star of the show. Twaddle. But, Kirby has to do that, without fail. 2008present unless otherwise stated. What is the point? So many other cycling commentators on Eurosport. 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. We met a young boy and young girl who recently lost their mum, and its really sad when you see that side of it. You have engineers popping in and out, you have guests from the different languages, and the only thing separating us from the Germans, on our left, and the French, on our right, are thin sound walls its completely open at the back, he says. @DeGendtThomas, guanyador de la primera etapa de la #VoltaCatalunya 2019. There have always been deaths since the early 1900s from vehicle-related incidents. Talk about what you know. You have your usual office equipment, coffee machine, and sandwich machine. It is all well having experience, but at some of the smaller races who are the guys riding these bikes? Star names like Sagan getting knocked off and knocked out of races. That is in fact my main Friday occupation. For no reason. Not much love for Eurosport commentator Carlton Kirby amongst the Team Sky ranks it seems Air pollution: London mother launches petition for second inquest into daughter''s death, Jason Kenny recounts last months near miss on BBC TV, Yoann Offredo's condition described as not life-threatening after GP de Denain crash, Telegraph article suggests "Littering cyclists and joggers could be to blame for countryside rubbish problem", Jeremy Vine's latest unpleasant encounter, 'Youths on pedal cycles' help Wednesfield Police catch thief, Best Cycling Website, BikeBiz Awards 2018, Tao Geoghehan Hart (picture copyright Simon Wilkinson, SWPix.com via Britishcycling.org_.uk), "Looks like shit. It is not general knowledge, and it should be. The unrelenting, inane chatter (did any of us want to know that his wife had their third child by caesarean section? You might remember an 'interpretive spinning' vid doing the rounds on social media a few weeks ago. 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. So poor . Theres an awful lot of distractions to keep on top of, so if you happen to be looking at your notes when somebody has a moment and you dont see it, its not your fault., Kirby laughs. From the Eurosports studios in London, covering the tour is not the same as waiting at the finish line. Live blog: "outrageous claims" - Tao Geoghegan Hart lays into Eurosport commentator Carlton Kirby, cyclists blamed for countryside litter - Twitter responds, Colnago e-bike, Jason Kenny, Jeremy Vine on close-passes, TdY teams, Peloton baby + more. We get to see our own output with our team interviewing the riders. While he admits Sagan's explusion for. For me, Carlton is the perfect commentator for the 'early shift' on long, flat grand tour stages. 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. Commentating on cycling is not like snooker or tennis, says Carlton Kirby, a principal commentator for Eurosports cycling coverage, who has worked in the sport since 1996. I never say when Im on-site vs. at the race. 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. i like the stuff the two GCN guys do, is it dan Loyd and Matt Stephens? It is a free-for-all. 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. Carlton Kirby: 'Joo Almeida, who won't worry anyone in the General Classification'. But I do allow people to believe Im always on-site. I think it is just individual race directors who decide who gets to ride these bikes. Those are definitely the days when you earn your corn. As just one example, the long list of criticisms he has levelled at Thibault Pinot. It is guys sitting on a motorbike who pull up alongside a cyclist and say 'how are you doing?'. And we have managed to cover his view on it. VN:So, what really is gained by being on-site? As is seen in most cases, the primary action of any game takes place during the outset and ending parts. but the bike was nowhere to be found!" Youre at the finish line, essentially watching the TV albeit with extra screens.. 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. 2023 Eurosport, a Warner Bros. This is why he often cracks jokes and laughs heartily. Le point sur la situation de Yoann Offredo. 4th in last year's Giro d'Italia. 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". . Nobody but nobody doesnt sprint for 5th at the end of a Monument. I talk about the same stuff, except Im making it up. Kirby remarks, Its not like a written press where you can write something out and finesse it and shave it. Went for a bike ride earlier today. Eurosport's Carlton Kirby. 2023 Eurosport, a Warner Bros. I quite like Kirby. Kirby tells us that Batistella is punching his handlebars in celebration. Its windowless. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy. So, our information can be slightly second-hand. It is crazy. I don't think much does get through to him, I really wish it did. He is thinking of five wins, and is finally allowing himself to believe he is going to reach the all-time record of the Belgian all-rounder Eddy Merckx's record for stage wins of 34. I've just discovered, after following a tweet that Orla Chennaoui had re-tweeted, that the esteemed Mr Kirby has blocked me on Twitter. Harmon's attitude can best be described as 'wogs begin at Calais'. He's probably too much of a joker,not serious enough, but has a 'springy' voice which is good to listen to. Having spent over 25 years in the field, he has seen a lot, as many other countless commentators have seen. Hosted by Duncan Steer. Page 6 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community. This is why he often cracks jokes and laughs heartily. Kirby laughs. CK: You need the details. All rights reserved. Following a two year broadcasting secondment with the United Nations in the South Pacific he joined ITV as TVam's overnight Sports Producer and Reporter. I don't know the guy but I wish in netherlands we would do it with mart smeets, danny nelissen and herbert dijkstra, who are complete idiots. Yates ended up going out the back of the peloton, losing 1.22. I could get 20 minutes of commentary out of dinner last night. pic.twitter.com/TkvUUUeBXs. Mark Cavendish crossed the line first, and said Kittel came up to slap him in the back. Kittel did win stage four, but then Cavendish beat him again on stage six. Controversial! Its the press guys we see more, because of the mechanics of the day. I like Kelly just out of respect more than anything. He's fine when it's all action but flounders when it's a longer stage. He threw the toys out of the pram because his head is scrambled by these defeats. Eurosport cant get away with this !! 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. Its quite nice at the Tour de France that we have a roadbook and a history book of everything were going through. Following a two year broadcasting secondment with the United Nations in the South Pacific he joined ITV as TVams overnight Sports Producer and Reporter. Kirby is a shockingly bad commentator, but Harmon is not much better. 27/8/22: Stage 7 of the Vuelta, Herrada wins the sprint and has his arm in the air in celebration. 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. We need to get to tomorrows finish line, and sometimes that is a four-hour drive. A close study of the final 20 kilometres follows, picking out key hazardslike pinch points, street furniture and likely attack points, before the repeating the study in the car alongside King Kelly as the pair make their way to the commentary point at the stage finish. Its a whole other much more positive view of commentators as a whole. And I said: Because I asked him! I asked him at breakfast, because when youre on-site, you can talk to the riders. The road curved, but it was nothing to concern one's self with. Cycling is a sport where there are no time limits and there are no constant action-packed sequences to speak about. 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 blokes an insult to all cyclists. Some people take offence for the strangest reasons. But, being in the studio means there is a considerable loss of interaction. CK:Ive been doing bike races live and on-site since 1996. To my mind, the motorcycles are the most dangerous because they have the least ability to stop. As a Post Graduate Broadcast Journalist Carltons Television career began with the BBC as a News and Sports Reporter. 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? It's their commentators or silence. I am having this problem too. I can't understand why Eurosport need to use him when they gave at least four other knowledgeable commentators, even without Harmon. During a long interview, the legendary veteran commentator of Eurosports shares some of his knowledge about the job. Well then I propose a CN forum audio livestream for the tour de france. Seriously. Some pros think so, plus more tech news from Shimano, Zwift, Le Col, Dahon, Fairlight + more, Pick-up truck driver crashes into group of cyclists, leaving two dead and 11 injured. Would the football fans be subjected to him commentating on the football matches ? At least he can string a sentence together and he seems to bring good comments out of Backstedt. he's saving his energy. His voice tends to wake me up from my nap when something happens. I heard him doing weightlifting once. ), peppered with the repeated clichs (just see how many times he says 'puppy paws', joining the party or a dozen or so others). Theyre the best stages, and the most exciting ones, but often as a commentator the days you take the most pride in are actually the ones where absolutely sod all has happened! Teams have been announced for May's Tour de Yorkshire and the Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women's Race. pic.twitter.com/MaRgbFKTet, The Ella Roberta Family Foundation (@rosamund_ElsFdn) March 25, 2019, @emmachamberlain at her soul cycling class. Ill be making notes when Sean Kellys driving, which can be a difficult thing! When youre part of the race caravan, all you talk about is the race. CK:As a commentator, you dont have a great deal of contact with the riders. With very little data being sent to them, and some pretty bad camerawork they have made a good fist of the event in Spain. UPDATE: New online Zoomcast show, July 16, click through for tickets. Ive fallen off the Galibier. You can get every picture you need from in front of the peloton. At other broadcasters you still have cue points, but its usually after youve finished making a point [because youre the only commentary team]. As for Kirby - its the arrogance of the bloke - does he think his viewers are 10 year olds who know NOTHING about cycling.