To cycling fans, Carlton Kirbys voice has become synonymous with the sport, having become an integral part of British Eurosports racecoverage. Would the football fans be subjected to him commentating on the football matches ? Astonishingly though, a single stage of the Tour de France lasts for about more than six hours. It is irretrievable. Well over a 1000 signatories on that petition now. 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. . or maybe you,re a relative ?? Carlton Kirby is one of the successful names in the industry, recently had been a topic of gossip for good and bad reasons. Ive gotten drunk on the Galibier and been evacuated off the Galibier. join Outside+. Apologies it's in super annoying meme form (we couldn't find the originalsource) but this is too good not too share! 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. You don't need to be that close to the riders to get snaps. Every time she fought back from a coma we were warned. I think you need to be a specialist to be a cycling commentator, yet he covers several sports on Eurosport. All the news from the site and beyond as we start a new week, Thomas De Gendt bosses Volta a Catalunya opener and solos into 3-minute overall lead. The Tour de Suisse is traditionally one of the last big races before the Tour de France. The current situation has made things difficult, where previously they would head over to the channel to cover Tour De France, now they sit in their studios and practice social distancing and looking at monitors. We have a quiet conversation about who is going to win today. This afternoon, I yet again, tolerated his insulting drivel on the Dauphine. As a Post Graduate Broadcast Journalist Carltons Television career began with the BBC as a News and Sports Reporter. They race ahead, dismount to get the tracking shots they need of the riders. It is all well having experience, but at some of the smaller races who are the guys riding these bikes? I tweeted quite a few comments which clearly annoyed him. There are already calls for a convening of UCI protocol committee so they can start to get some proper rules together about it. The Kirby CODEC will also be called into action as his followers on Twitter will know. 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. Shouldnt be that hard to organise with so many people here able to talk eloquently and intelligently for 4 hours. My primary issue with Carlton Kirby is that he doesn't commentate on what is happening (he rambles whatever is inside his head). The races are only on GCN/Eurosport. If you don't like something, how else can you change it - by saying nothing? This person has obviously just seen red, Ive got right of way, Im going to go, and you might have right of way technically whether you do or dont is often debatable but it doesnt give you the right to smash someone and potentially kill someone, which is what is going to happen if you run someone off their bike. He has poor knowledge and really just annoys everyone. And somebody asked me, why dont you pronounce his name Foo-gel-sang instead ofFoolsong. I comfort myself with the fact that there are people out there who actually hate Terry Wogan. Creativelyreplacing it witha Trek 1.2, Jack mostly rides this bikearound local cycle paths nowadays, but when he wants to get the racer out and be competitive hispreferred events are time trials, sportives, triathlons and pogo sticking - the latter being another long story. I remember being impressed during the Giro at his ability to identify riders. We caught up with Kirby to learn what is gained for the telecast and what is lost from these two very different broadcasting scenarios. I am very sorry but he is just nowhere near the standards of messrs. Liggett, Boulting, Miller and Hatch. See the recording of the last Carlton Kirby Zoomcast hereEnjoy our vintage/summer Parisian Spotify playlist (plus Little Italy by Stephen Bishop, not French, don't write in) hereSee Carlton's Not that itsa straightforward drive to the finish at the Tour, as Kirby explains. Eurosport will never get rid of Carlton Kirby, he receives so much fan-mail that it will far out way any negative feedback they get from him. The word count for me at the end is almost blurred.. At dinner, you gather around the table and argue the hell out of it, and thats a big thing. For all those who can't stand Kirby's 'commentary' (must be everyone on Bikeradar? We've asked Colnago for more details but they just shrugged their shoulders in reply. Win! And this sort of meaningless, demented jabber is not at all unusual I could have chosen many examples just from today. It is really sad when you see the consequences of that. Or at least diminished. He's fine when it's all action but flounders when it's a longer stage. You can do that by clicking one of these links - TAKES 30 SECONDS: https://help.eurosport.com/hc/en-gb/requests/new, https://help.globalcyclingnetwork.com/hc/en-gb/requests. We saw that on the Tour of Catalunya - a useless piece of motorcycle protocol. Are you sure? Baseless. Nah, Harmon is clued up. Like this site? COME ON WRITE TO EUROSPORT AND LETS GET HIM OFF ! 35m is 100ft. #GPDenain pic.twitter.com/2DsagK73lS, Wanty-Gobert Cycling Team (@TeamWantyGobert) March 24, 2019. After moving to 30 Tour de France stage wins with four rousing victories that has shattered Marcel Kittel on this year's Tour, Eurosport's voice of cycling Carlton Kirby tells Desmond Kane why he . London live show preview! ). 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". It's their commentators or silence. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. He's ruining the sport I love - I avoid many races purely because he's the commentator. Story Time with Carlton Kirby: Mankini's and mechanicals | "The pictures were all over the news. Nonetheless, one other thing that Kirby believes, sets the very best apart is commitment. Arriving at road.cc in 2017 via 220 Triathlon Magazine, Jack dipped his toe in most jobs on the site and over ateBikeTips before being namedthe new editor of road.cc in 2020, much to his surprise. 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. Without wishing to be too disparaging to Mr. Kirby, I dont have Eurosport or the ability to watch cycling live, so I have to make do with highlights. 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. You could hear a pin drop. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He was hinting today that he would be commentating on Paris-Roubaix (just after he said that Froome was 'over-raced' this year), so I'd be grateful if as many people as possible could comment/vote before it is too late: Mmmmm, unfortunately, the suggested replacement is just as clueless, just quieter. Coverage includes enhanced production with access to helicopter, on-board and superslomo cameras. If its one of those days where its going to end in a sprint and you need to cover 240km, then its gonna be a bit of a drag. There are some other sports, like cycling, where the commentary has to be complete. Would like to cancel eurosport but it's the only way to watch the classics (legitimately at least). The best thing you can do is relax, in my opinion, Kirby explains about going live on air. ), peppered with the repeated clichs (just see how many times he says 'puppy paws', joining the party or a dozen or so others). 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. Controversial! why must us cyclists have to tolerate a commentator who has no knowledge of professional cycling. Eurosport's lead cycling commentator Carlton Kirby presents a weekly guide to everything that's NOT happening in the sport . 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. One of the worlds most iconic cycling brands appears set to launch an e-bike. Hence, talking on something is difficult without matter. I think people will appreciate what were trying to deal with. 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. The Vuelta a Espana used to be the worst of the Grand Tours because theyd have transitions day of 250km across a desert. To my mind, the motorcycles are the most dangerous because they have the least ability to stop. 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. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Well then I propose a CN forum audio livestream for the tour de france. JavaScript is disabled. As for the Sky Team Fans member - you wouldnt actually be Mr Kirby would you ???? CK:As a commentator, you dont have a great deal of contact with the riders. 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. And then, you hang a look at anyone who is there to find out if theyre going to listen to you. So, were close to the press guys who have spoken to the riders, and they wander up during the day, and weve been in place for two hours already, and we meet with you guys. Driver escapes punishment for alleged hit-and-run on cyclist, as victim blasts police inaction and barriers to justice. 2008present unless otherwise stated. Owned by Warner Bros. His cycling life began during his students days, when he cobbled togethera few hundred quidoff the back of a hard winter selling hats (long story) and bought hisfirst road bike - a Trek 1.1 that was quickly relegated to winter steed, before it was sadlypinched a few years later. Plus security bikes, plus rolling paramedics. What a load of rubbish - Team Sky Fan !! Theyd often stop too Euskaltel-Euskadi were one of the most common for that, theyd roll to the front, let everyone know it wasnt an attack and then ride up the road to briefly chat to family! Info-wise, being on-site is amazing.. Absolutely mad. I've decided and bought a '21 Revolt which is nigh on identical in stack and reach to the Defy, only differences being a slacker front end and Well if you ever go to Chesterfield you will be called "youth" however old you are. 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. pic.twitter.com/bcRWeK1p3o, just merder. It doesnt take much accomplishment to understand what Kirby is referring to. Youre at the finish line, essentially watching the TV albeit with extra screens.. And hes trying to improve them. Thanks to all who have signed. Valverde gets it very, very wrong!" exclaimed . Being a commentator is all about improvisation and Kirby knows this quite well considering his huge range of experience. The blokes an insult to all cyclists. Kirby laughs. Joe Robinson. 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. The major problem with this is that you cannot follow a race he is commentating on unless you are watching it - i.e. I quite like Kirby. I talk about the same stuff, except Im making it up. But I do allow people to believe Im always on-site. Eurosport cant get away with this !! Quite brilliant and gutsy from Tom. Kittel is not a broken man, but his supremacy has tumbled because Mark Cavendish has only gone and won four stages here. The commentators day doesnt juststart when the racing does, with research and planning underwayas soon as breakfast is taken. I just wish we had Liggett and Kelly doing the Grand Tours. Kittel was completely shocked, and has been getting more and more upset as this Tour has gone on. 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. Uhhh, Ill say Bettiol. 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. It is amusing that explaining this is futile, he remarks. You have entered an incorrect email address! My Ultimate Commuter, rebuilding her at the moment, everything external. 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. We get to see our own output with our team interviewing the riders. 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. And then, of course, there are the flat stages and the sprint finishes. She talks about the background to the petition, which you can sign here, in this video. Following a two year broadcasting secondment with the United Nations in the South Pacific he joined ITV as TVams overnight Sports Producer and Reporter. 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 . hatcher - are you Harmon's mum? 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. No ! I don't have anything against him personally, but he doesn't seem to get the basics of the sport. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. These local mountain bikers tried Athletic Brewing Company's craft beer for the first time, and you'd be surprised by their reactions. Punching the handlebars is the almost universal sign of frustration at losing. Its quite nice at the Tour de France that we have a roadbook and a history book of everything were going through. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. 4th in last year's Giro d'Italia. Well, Ill tell you: It makes your view of the race verifiable when youre there. Kittel threw his arms up in the air, and lost not only first place, but second, third and fourth..winding up in fifth because of his complaints. 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. I make notes of the corners, pinch points, danger points, acceleration points, attack points all of those things.. Kirby tells us that Batistella is punching his handlebars in celebration. Those are definitely the days when you earn your corn. 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 The man, the myth, the chosen son. While he admits Sagan's explusion for. Exactly - and if you had any insight into professional riding and experience actually being a pro like Sean Kelly or Rob Hayles - you wouldnt struggle to find commentary. It is amusing that explaining this is futile, he remarks.