I'm not sure if they have forgotten about the rule, or if it was always just advisory. 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. 35m is 100ft. I changed to German commentary on eurosport international today I was so mad. Some of which have been admitted, some of which weren't. He is rubbish Eurosport have many other far better options we need a decent commentator not Carltons partridge esque musings. Ill ring someone up on-site to talk to them. Kirby is a shockingly bad commentator, but Harmon is not much better. I speak no language other than English. 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. And alongside everything going on in his ear and on the screens in front of him, Kirby says the booths themselves can be a sourceof distraction from the job of commentating. This is the video I showed Trinity School in Lewisham this morning. To cycling fans, Carlton Kirbys voice has become synonymous with the sport, having become an integral part of British Eurosports racecoverage. There's also his lack of knowledge. They only received compensation a couple of years later. Next time you watch, ask yourself how many of his critiques are aimed against non-Anglophone riders. 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? 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. Even once the race itself is over, and the post-analysis is done, theres a second race to get away from the finish line. Its a massive operation. 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. Also, Kirby criticises riders in almost every race. It is exciting being in a vast peloton, and the less experienced ones almost engage with it. Stig Broeckx avoids serious injury after being hit by motorbike. 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. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. And somebody asked me, why dont you pronounce his name Foo-gel-sang instead ofFoolsong. Following a two year broadcasting secondment with the United Nations in the South Pacific he joined ITV as TVams overnight Sports Producer and Reporter. The youngsters were congratulated by the force on Twitter, as they helped chase down a thief who had stolen over 300 worth of goods. My primary issue with Carlton Kirby is that he doesn't commentate on what is happening (he rambles whatever is inside his head). There are no gaps you might shut up for five seconds or so to listen to the crowd, but thats it.. Now it is live pictures going onto blogs, stream TV pictures. As for the Sky Team Fans member - you wouldnt actually be Mr Kirby would you ???? Among the big names the Belgian put time into today were Alejandro Valverde, fourth overall and 2 minutes 56 second down in fourth place overall, and Team Skys Egan Bernal, a further 1 second back. 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.. To my mind, the motorised vehicles are getting far too close, a point I continue to pick up on commentary. Carlton Kirby As a Post Graduate Broadcast Journalist Carlton's Television career began with the BBC as a News and Sports Reporter. Thats because the Tours largest broadcasters are staying at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than broadcasting the race on-site in France. Personally I think Harmon and Brian Smith are the best team. Baseless. Colnago is using social media to tease the arrival of its new E64 Performance, which well go out on a limb and guess is the companys attempt to tap into the rapidly growing e-bike market. 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. The Tour de Suisse is traditionally one of the last big races before the Tour de France. Yeah he does. Jason Kenny has recounted to the BBC the near miss he and his infant son Albie encountered while out cycling last month. He is thinking Champs Elysees. 4th in last year's Giro d'Italia. James and Joe catch up with the chosen son of cycling commentary, Carlton Kirby. Kirby tells us that Batistella is punching his handlebars in celebration. I think people will appreciate what were trying to deal with. Most races have one unit but the Tour de France has four double-decker units. He has poor knowledge and really just annoys everyone. Absolutely mad. While folk littering with gel wrappers is no doubt annoying, is it really up there with fly-tipping? It is all clearly not set in stone at the moment, and I hope that I'm not going to have some sharp intake of breath moments on commentary just because bikes are needlessly endangering the lives of cyclists. 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. 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. 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. Carlton Kirby Kirby is the most marmite commentator there is. Tony Martin scared everybody with his breakaway, says Etixx chief. pic.twitter.com/RRu5rosVP4, Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) March 24, 2019, This time it's a driver who doesn't get the concept of taking the lane (and is caught soon after he risks an overtake on the clogged up London street anyway), Yesterday officers were helped by youths on pedal cycles & many other members of public in catching a thief (300 theft) from Bentley Bridge who security were chasing for a while. One of the most adaptable voices on British Television, as can be seen from hisworking synopsis, Carltons range is wide. I don't have anything against him personally, but he doesn't seem to get the basics of the sport. Riders have lost their ability to race, says LeMond, Nacer Bouhanni handed penalty, fined for shove. As just one example, the long list of criticisms he has levelled at Thibault Pinot. Pure invention; based on nothing. Carlton Kirby and His Approach On Commenting for GCN and Eurosport This Year: 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. OK. And then, we wait. Carlton Kirby discusses the art of commentary, says thank you to those who enjoy listening to him. On rest days we circulate to meet with everybody. Its the press guys we see more, because of the mechanics of the day. Eurosportreports that Kenny expanded on the incident on BBC One today, saying: Someone felt they had right of way and decided that gave them the right to kind of jump on the throttle and drive at us, which was a scary experience. The headline does anyway, while the sources in the article cover a few different potential causes. The races are only on GCN/Eurosport. 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. Thats when it down to you and not the riders.. How much longer do the cycling public have to suffer the idiotic commentary from Carlton Kirby ?? You take yourself to the studio, call up your procyclingstats.com, do your research online. I do love the sport because its a crescendo sport. De Gendt, Volta 2019 Stage 1 winner. Owned by Warner Bros. CK:Ive been doing bike races live and on-site since 1996. I can walk or drive the technical approach to the finish, which is gold. Bridport cycles. And his constant er, er, erms.. all the time were extremely irritating. Ive done so much and been so many places that I mostly have all of them embedded in my head. 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. Went for a bike ride earlier today. She talks about the background to the petition, which you can sign here, in this video. 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. 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. There used to be a 35 metre rule which seems to be flouted these days. There are some other sports, like cycling, where the commentary has to be complete. CK: You need the details. All rights reserved. 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. Controversial! Its windowless. It is a thrilling climax and its my job to convey that to the public. A new bike is coming very soon! https://yahoo.uservoice.com/forums/1698 ant-drivel, http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85131. Harmon's attitude can best be described as 'wogs begin at Calais'. 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. Me too. ), there is a thread in the Eurosport 'comments and suggestions' forum requesting that he be removed from the roster. Punching the handlebars is the almost universal sign of frustration at losing. 2023 Eurosport, a Warner Bros. Thanks to all who have signed. Star names like Sagan getting knocked off and knocked out of races. The schedule and time duration work differently for every sport. The Wanty-GroupeGobert rider was air lifted to hospital after the crash yesterday, but thankfully it seems like he's in a stable condition. You have got to be kidding! because there wuld be an uprising in the country. Even my partner, who doesn't watch cycling, could tell who had won. Harmon LOVES cycling, cycling history, and even riders who don't speak English. If it goes on for two or three years, then people will notice because the freshness of what is in our heads will ebb. Quite brilliant and gutsy from Tom. Page 6 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community. When Cavendish won again on stage 14, Kittel just fell to pieces emotionally. Fully agree Kirby is the most irritable commentator ever. Copyright 2015-2022 ProCyclingUK - All rights Reserved, 2024 Womens WorldTour Promotion/Relegation Standings, Commentating on cycling is not like snooker or tennis, says Carlton Kirby, Demi Vollering wins Strade Bianche from teammate Kopecky. When youre on-site, even though youre there, youre still watching a monitor, Kirby says. Set the scene for us. 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. Various types of distractions are always ready for a commentator. 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. I like Carlton too, not as much as Harmon, granted, but I've given up on him coming back. From dealing with the never-ending frenzy of action, and incessant radio announcements, to having to tackle the director. He said from the rider's perspective, motorbikes get far too close to the race. You also get a guy filming on the one side of a cyclist, who is then blocking the rider from turning at the right angle into a corner because a motorbike is blocking him. I am having this problem too. VN:Whats it like calling a race from back home at the studio? Among an awful lot of distractions, as Carlton Kirby explains, commentating on cycling is an arduous process. You have entered an incorrect email address! Brian Smith is very good and I feel for him having to listen to Kirby's dumbfounding comments. carlton kirby leaves eurosport 2021; carlton kirby leaves eurosport 2021. We have to get him off eurosport. Hence, To be qualified to fill up that huge amount of time is, quite naturally, a daunting job. 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 So, what is Scottish Cycling / British Cycling doing about this? It is really sad when you see the consequences of that. As well as sports commentary his voiceover work includes corporate videos and feature films as well as radio and television advertising. Thomas De Gendt launched a solo attack from the break with 60 kilometres remaining of todays opening stage of the Volta a Catalunya, covering 163 kilometres and starting and finishing in Calella and the Lotto-Soudal rider now finds himself with a lead of almost three minutes on his rivals. I have - again - sent this to Eurosport (23/2/23, with 1,871 signatures - and 1,400 people taking the time to comment!). The demands of media and multimedia these days make it more of a serious problem. You don't need to be that close to the riders to get snaps. Bit harsh, Quigley is a lot more knowledgeable. You must invest in an alarm upgrade to BT Redcare. As you say, he doesn't shout unnecessarily either. Advertising, commercial: sales [at] road.cc Le point sur la situation de Yoann Offredo. I'm not sure if it was security, medical or a photographer who hit him, but essentially there was braking with four riders on the ground and the bike flipped before landing on the riders. For all those who can't stand Kirby's 'commentary' (must be everyone on Bikeradar? It is crazy. hatcher - are you Harmon's mum? And he wasn't wrong. That is the way it appears. I think its just taking a breath and think about the consequences, he concluded. PLEASE CONTACT EUROSPORT/GCN INDIVIDUALLY AS WELL AS SIGNING, BECAUSE THAT WILL PROBABLY HAVE A GREATER EFFECT. 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! But, Kirby has to do that, without fail. 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. How can someone who watches so much cycling know so little? ), peppered with the repeated clichs (just see how many times he says 'puppy paws', joining the party or a dozen or so others). Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. 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. I don't think much does get through to him, I really wish it did. 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. "Beware everybody, he is well and truly back!" yelled Carlton Kirby on Eurosport commentary. I could get 20 minutes of commentary out of dinner last night. Every time she fought back from a coma we were warned. And then, you hang a look at anyone who is there to find out if theyre going to listen to you. Agreed. For me Kirby has the key ingredient I need from a commentator. he's saving his energy. We dont want this man commentating. We cant do that when hes at his house and Im at mine. Carlton Kirby is one of the successful names in the industry, recently had been a topic of gossip for good and bad reasons. 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. 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. 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. And it is at that point, Cav comes out of the shadows to mug him at the line. Helen Blackman (@HelenBlackman) March 24, 2019. At least King Kelly is still there despite Harmon's departure. Not that itsa straightforward drive to the finish at the Tour, as Kirby explains. It is irretrievable. Proper all rounder. He's ruining the sport I love - I avoid many races purely because he's the commentator. Well, Kirby says, when its all out action on the road its very easy the problem comes on longtransition stages. If you're after one, guess that does makethe two grand plus 40 quid a month price tag seem a little fairer A mother from London has launched a petition calling for a second coroner's inquest into the death of her daughter, who passed away at nine years of age in what was originally believed to be an asthma-related case. He came off the corner leading, it was a right hand to the finish in Villars-les-Dombes. Thus concentrating becomes a difficult job for a commentator. You get a sense of the weather a bright morning, going up this morning in a hail storm, and the hailstones are this big. Simon Clarke, who should have won the 2016 Milan-San Remo is just one in a long, long line of things he invents from nowhere and then portrays as facts, banging on about them throughout a season. There must be so many ex-pro riders out there who would give valuable commentary and insight into the races. Having spent over 25 years in the field, he has seen a lot, as many other countless commentators have seen. The atmosphere fills up with buzz from moment to moment that enthusiasm pushes the words out of the heart. Mark thought it was congratulations, but it was Kittel hitting him on the back in frustration. Doesn't look that pretty, cable tied, very practical. So, you have to ask yourself: What is different, and why is it worth it to actually go on-site? One example of his commentary, from 11/3/21 Tirreno-Adriatico: Carlton Kirby: 'Yates is the heart and mind of this breakaway group'. Dan's stage guides at the giro a few years ago were great. They support his knowledge and enthusiasm behind the mic, even after so many years. Talk about what you know. (@StasaZlatanovic) March 24, 2019. Get the latest race news, results, commentary, and tech, delivered to your inbox. Eurosport cant get away with this !! The very aspect of commentating that requires filling the gaps spanning hours of no action is the reason. We have seen far too much of it - near collisions as much as actual collisions over the past few years. If you don't like something, how else can you change it - by saying nothing? All the news from the site and beyond as we start a new week. Joe Robinson. He threw the toys out of the pram because his head is scrambled by these defeats. There have always been deaths since the early 1900s from vehicle-related incidents. Some people take offence for the strangest reasons. 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. 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? 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. 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. "Oh! 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. We need to get to tomorrows finish line, and sometimes that is a four-hour drive. Shouldnt be that hard to organise with so many people here able to talk eloquently and intelligently for 4 hours. Thus, the commentary that you hear wont come from the finish line, but rather from some television studio thousands of miles away. Tel 01225 588855. For every Nicolas Roche or Steve Cummings great characters, totally locked down there are some savage bastards out there, and we love them all. The Vuelta a Espana used to be the worst of the Grand Tours because theyd have transitions day of 250km across a desert. I often moan about Kirby myself, but I don't. But not today in the Vuelta or yesterday, and this is the first time I have heard Kirby commentating. 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. During a long interview, the legendary veteran commentator of Eurosports shares some of his knowledge about the job. The word count for me at the end is almost blurred.. Hence, talking on something is difficult without matter. 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". CK:I think not many people will notice. 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 . In my ear I have a producer telling me when we have interviews, drop-in features, ad breaks and cue points.. And hes trying to improve them. 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. De Gendt, ganador de la primera etapa de la Volta 2019. @DeGendtThomas, guanyador de la primera etapa de la #VoltaCatalunya 2019. It's garnering quite a few sarcastic responses on Twitter Yep, I regularly cycle to MacDonalds, get a load of food, then cycle to the off license, get some beer, and then cycle to a lay by or car park and spread it around the place. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Uhhh, Ill say Bettiol. Carlton Kirby Kirby is the most marmite commentator there is. Like this site? Fantasy Cycling: game [at] road.cc . 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. 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. ADDITIONAL: 13/4/21 - Some have said that this petition is 'cruel', but if you're in the public eye then you are open to criticism of your professional abilities - or are we now not allowed to criticise the abilities of authors, actors, sports people, musicians, etc.? 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. 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. That is because like most hacks they are too arrogant to do any research and preparation. Its the art of illusion. Hosted by Duncan Steer. But he's British and that's all that matters to Kirby. 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.. I have been speaking to (former cyclist and Eurosport expert) Sean Kelly about it at various races, and we have both had hold your breath moments. Carlton Kirby pete54 Posts: 488 March 2014 edited October 2019 in Pro race For all those who can't stand Kirby's 'commentary' (must be everyone on Bikeradar? Carlton's voice is familiar to fans of Motorsports and Cycling both on British Television and throughout the world. Story Time with Carlton Kirby: Mankini's and mechanicals | "The pictures were all over the news. And I said: Because I asked him! I asked him at breakfast, because when youre on-site, you can talk to the riders. 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! 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. pic.twitter.com/MaRgbFKTet, The Ella Roberta Family Foundation (@rosamund_ElsFdn) March 25, 2019, @emmachamberlain at her soul cycling class. Riders having to get close to a motorbike just to take a corner. There is no discussion or debate, just chatter, articles, and just that. We've asked Colnago for more details but they just shrugged their shoulders in reply. Kittel is not a broken man, but his supremacy has tumbled because Mark Cavendish has only gone and won four stages here. There is absolutely no deficit of distractions for a commentator. With very little data being sent to them, and some pretty bad camerawork they have made a good fist of the event in Spain. Carlton's voice is familiar to fans of Motorsports and Cycling both on British Television and throughout the world. On the descent, motorbikes often get too close to the cyclist in front of them. Baseless.