Such things impact ones reputation a lot, and there is no way around it. The sights and sounds of the race and the attention of aptitude in an ample pressroom can renounce some valuable chunks for a commentator. It is really sad when you see the consequences of that. How much longer do the cycling public have to suffer the idiotic commentary from Carlton Kirby ?? View our media pack. That is exactly what has happened now. Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. 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. 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. Over 3,200 worth of amazing prizes from Pacenti Cycle Design and Saint Piran, including some stunning carbon wheels! Story Time with Carlton Kirby: Mankini's and mechanicals | "The pictures were all over the news. It is guys sitting on a motorbike who pull up alongside a cyclist and say 'how are you doing?'. 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 . Kelly will probably kill him by the end. There's also his lack of knowledge. Would like to cancel eurosport but it's the only way to watch the classics (legitimately at least). 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. So, you have to ask yourself: What is different, and why is it worth it to actually go on-site? The problem is that social media has allowed anyone and everyone to voice their opinion, regardless of their credibility. We had a heated debate about the incident and then the person drove away. I don't have anything against him personally, but he doesn't seem to get the basics of the sport. And then, of course, there are the flat stages and the sprint finishes. Well ride that sympathy and see how far it takes us up the beach. 14 Aug 2020. The Tour de Suisse is traditionally one of the last big races before the Tour de France. 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. It is exciting being in a vast peloton, and the less experienced ones almost engage with it. And to be honest, most of us are scared of losing Carlton Kirkby in case Ant McCrossan takes his place. Apologies it's in super annoying meme form (we couldn't find the originalsource) but this is too good not too share! ), peppered with the repeated clichs (just see how many times he says 'puppy paws', joining the party or a dozen or so others). We have seen far too much of it - near collisions as much as actual collisions over the past few years. 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. 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. I comfort myself with the fact that there are people out there who actually hate Terry Wogan. Even once the race itself is over, and the post-analysis is done, theres a second race to get away from the finish line. And, one can understand the enthusiasm that has kept him going despite the setbacks and even criticism from people. You could hear a pin drop. 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. When Kirby explains the difficult process of commentating on cycling, and the concerns he has, one might want to know how much of that impacts him. One of the worlds most iconic cycling brands appears set to launch an e-bike. And his constant er, er, erms.. all the time were extremely irritating. What blasphemy is this? Yep I always watch the ITV coverage if possible - even if that means missing the stage live and watching the highlights package (like the vuelta). Thus, the commentary that you hear wont come from the finish line, but rather from some television studio thousands of miles away. You are as ill informed as Kirby. 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. 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! Carlton Kirby: 'Joo Almeida, who won't worry anyone in the General Classification'. Its a case of trying to keep everybody amused. Carlton's voice is familiar to fans of Motorsports and Cycling both on British Television and throughout the world. 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. @DeGendtThomas, guanyador de la primera etapa de la #VoltaCatalunya 2019. This is the video I showed Trinity School in Lewisham this morning. We have Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche, Magnus Backstedt, Dean Downing, Rob Hayles and David Harmon (who although is not the best at least it seems he is really doing some research and background checks on the riders and teams - he is clearly learning from Kelly as they sit in the box)but Kirby doesnt even do any background research. 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. Nobody but nobody doesnt sprint for 5th at the end of a Monument. And it is at that point, Cav comes out of the shadows to mug him at the line. The best thing you can do is relax, in my opinion, Kirby explains about going live on air. 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! 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. But, being in the studio means there is a considerable loss of interaction. 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. 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. Antoine Demoitie was tragically killed by a motorcyle at the age of 25. Especially on unstable surfaces. De Gendt, ganador de la primera etapa de la Volta 2019. COME ON WRITE TO EUROSPORT AND LETS GET HIM OFF ! Or at least diminished. The Tour forces us to have dinner. It is all well having experience, but at some of the smaller races who are the guys riding these bikes? But, Kirby has to do that, without fail. 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. A new bike is coming very soon! 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? Following a two year broadcasting secondment with the United Nations in the South Pacific he joined ITV as TVams overnight Sports Producer and Reporter. As well as sports commentary his voiceover work includes corporate videos and feature films as well as radio and television advertising. join Outside+. I never say when Im on-site vs. at the race. Hence, talking on something is difficult without matter. "Oh! For me, Carlton is the perfect commentator for the 'early shift' on long, flat grand tour stages. And somebody asked me, why dont you pronounce his name Foo-gel-sang instead ofFoolsong. i like the stuff the two GCN guys do, is it dan Loyd and Matt Stephens? Kittel moves first into Cavendish, who follows the white line. CK:I think not many people will notice. 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. Seriously. 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. 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. His Grand National, Murray Walker shouting in the last 2 kilometres really is unbelievable. I changed to German commentary on eurosport international today I was so mad. 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. 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. Carlton Kirby is a sports commentator who is most known for his work commentating on the Tour de France. We have a quiet conversation about who is going to win today. He's ruining the sport I love - I avoid many races purely because he's the commentator. Not that itsa straightforward drive to the finish at the Tour, as Kirby explains. (@StasaZlatanovic) March 24, 2019. All the news from the site and beyond as we start a new week. When Cavendish won again on stage 14, Kittel just fell to pieces emotionally. 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. Its the press guys we see more, because of the mechanics of the day. 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. 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. I had almost no idea what was going on or who was where. I do love the sport because its a crescendo sport. 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. We dont want this man commentating. We saw that on the Tour of Catalunya - a useless piece of motorcycle protocol. Baseless. Having spent over 25 years in the field, he has seen a lot, as many other countless commentators have seen. There is no discussion or debate, just chatter, articles, and just that. 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. 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 could paint the Galibier and Ventoux and even some of the rarer mountains by memory. Conversely, a Carlton Kirby Fan Club exists for those who love the cycling commentator. He suddenly realises how to beat Kittel, working out the formula to finish first. We cant do that when hes at his house and Im at mine. why must us cyclists have to tolerate a commentator who has no knowledge of professional cycling. 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. 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. Set the scene for us. Kirby has more than two decades as a. I am having this problem too. He came off the corner leading, it was a right hand to the finish in Villars-les-Dombes. 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 But saves my life" German governments helmet advert sparks sexism row, Bristol taxi driver who cut up cyclist and braked in front of him has licence revoked (+ video), Porn Pedallers to carry on riding despite being stripped of British Cycling affiliation, in: Car crashes into building - please post your Local news stories, in: Has cycling become F1? Yates was obviously cooked - why else would anyone work for dozens of kilometres and then give up in the final 2km? I can walk or drive the technical approach to the finish, which is gold. One thing Ive always been able to do is, I believe, see a very wide picture and a lot of different movement, and call those fast and accurately. Its quite nice at the Tour de France that we have a roadbook and a history book of everything were going through. Cavendish swept to his second win at the Tour of Turkey with another . Next time you watch, ask yourself how many of his critiques are aimed against non-Anglophone riders. 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. (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. When we drive to the finish well usually get on the course, because were badged up to do it, and then make notes. What is the point? Without any editing, moderation, or credibility, it is all out in the name of fate. Yates ended up going out the back of the peloton, losing 1.22. And he has outthought Marcel Kittel here. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. I think its just taking a breath and think about the consequences, he concluded. (Clarke is a very good rider, but there is nothing to suggest he SHOULD have won the 2016 M-SR. Watch the race.). He spoils everyones enjoyment of the race with his silly so called jokes and rubbish talk. I don't think much does get through to him, I really wish it did. Ive done so much and been so many places that I mostly have all of them embedded in my head. Thats one of the vagrancies of Eurosport.. Cycling is a sport where there are no time limits and there are no constant action-packed sequences to speak about. This afternoon, I yet again, tolerated his insulting drivel on the Dauphine. The breaks going to go up the road, theyre going to be allowed anything up to 15 minutes of an advantage and everyone else is just having a chat including us., All the other commentators from all the other nations and all their information are in the same room, so you often get people saying: Have you heard this?, with loads of things to share. There has to be some kind of distance applied and minimal standards of what is needed. They have produced some merchandise like cycling caps and badges, they get together at Carltons events. He's obsessed with what he thinks is going to happen, preferring baseless speculation to commentating on what is actually happening. Carlton Kirby As a Post Graduate Broadcast Journalist Carlton's Television career began with the BBC as a News and Sports Reporter. 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. I agree listening to the mans over stressed enthusiasm really gets on my nerves. He's probably too much of a joker,not serious enough, but has a 'springy' voice which is good to listen to. 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. Bridport cycles. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. I could get 20 minutes of commentary out of dinner last night. I am very sorry but he is just nowhere near the standards of messrs. Liggett, Boulting, Miller and Hatch. 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. That is common in France and Belgium with a dedicated roving reporter from the race roving all over the peloton and having a chat. He's fine when it's all action but flounders when it's a longer stage. It just stays online forever. James and Joe catch up with the chosen son of cycling commentary, Carlton Kirby. 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. It is amusing that explaining this is futile, he remarks. Carlton's voice is familiar to fans of Motorsports and Cycling both on British Television and throughout the world. I have - again - sent this to Eurosport (23/2/23, with 1,871 signatures - and 1,400 people taking the time to comment!). So poor . Its a massive operation. Controversial! Ive gotten drunk on the Galibier and been evacuated off the Galibier. All rights reserved. Tel 01225 588855. They basically work on the principle that people watching cycling in english are only interested in english speaking riders. Stig Broeckx avoids serious injury after being hit by motorbike. Thus concentrating becomes a difficult job for a commentator. Pure invention; based on nothing. Hes done it four times, and I think he might want to do it again on the Champs-lyses. Carlton Kirby discusses the art of commentary, says thank you to those who enjoy listening to him. Would the football fans be subjected to him commentating on the football matches ? Eurosport's commentator Carlton Kirby has called hundreds of races throughout his career, both on-site and from the studio. 26/8/22: Stage 6 of the Vuelta, Kirby informs us (clearly based on nothing) that Mark Padun is 'a master' at descending in the wet (at that precise moment, Padun is descending very gingerly, taking pretty poor lines). Also, I would say many of his criticisms are unfair and/or cruel. You have entered an incorrect email address! 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? Maybe it's because he doesn't ride a bike himself? Harmon's attitude can best be described as 'wogs begin at Calais'. He has poor knowledge and really just annoys everyone. 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. 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. I tweeted quite a few comments which clearly annoyed him. The races are only on GCN/Eurosport. Plus security bikes, plus rolling paramedics. CK:As a commentator, you dont have a great deal of contact with the riders. The actual bones of the job are quite similar. Simon Yates drops back to the Peloton in the last 2km - Carlton Kirby: 'Yates has decided this isn't worth the candle' - i.e. For all those who can't stand Kirby's 'commentary' (must be everyone on Bikeradar? Like this site? Thats when it down to you and not the riders.. Doesn't look that pretty, cable tied, very practical. Went for a bike ride earlier today. or maybe you,re a relative ?? She got hit by a car and thats someones mum, not just a cyclist. It's their commentators or silence. I've been told to stop having a go at the motorcycles, but it is purely from a safety aspect and sadly this poor guy, who was very a vibrant talent at the age of only 25, has lost his life. Some of which have been admitted, some of which weren't. 2008present unless otherwise stated. No ! I'm not sure if they have forgotten about the rule, or if it was always just advisory. In my ear I have a producer telling me when we have interviews, drop-in features, ad breaks and cue points.. Kittel was completely shocked, and has been getting more and more upset as this Tour has gone on. The man, the myth, the chosen son. I like Carlton too, not as much as Harmon, granted, but I've given up on him coming back. but the bike was nowhere to be found!" So many other cycling commentators on Eurosport. From dealing with the never-ending frenzy of action, and incessant radio announcements, to having to tackle the director. There are some other sports, like cycling, where the commentary has to be complete. The unrelenting, inane chatter (did any of us want to know that his wife had their third child by caesarean section? Log in or register to join the conversation. 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. He has been commentating on the Tour de France since 2009, and his deep knowledge of the race and the riders makes him one of the most respected commentators in the sport. Eurosport's lead cycling commentator Carlton Kirby presents a weekly guide to everything that's NOT happening in the sport . Jason Kenny has recounted to the BBC the near miss he and his infant son Albie encountered while out cycling last month. 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. This is why he often cracks jokes and laughs heartily. I remember being impressed during the Giro at his ability to identify riders. Get the latest race news, results, commentary, and tech, delivered to your inbox. And its only the past year that we even get to see more than the Tour de France. Uhhh, Ill say Bettiol. And within the second group, he sprints hard, coming 13th overall. he's saving his energy. To cycling fans, Carlton Kirby's voice has become synonymous with the sport, having become an integral part of British Eurosport's race coverage. Riders have lost their ability to race, says LeMond, Nacer Bouhanni handed penalty, fined for shove. Hosted by Duncan Steer. 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. The moment you have spoken a word, it is out there on tape and on every news website, forum, and who knows what. and apologises to those who don't. 00:04:00, 29/05/2020 at 08:52 Related At least King Kelly is still there despite Harmon's departure. The road curved, but it was nothing to concern one's self with. I usually increase the pace especially on a sprint day to match the peloton, Kirby admits. You can also sometimes find your hotel is one or two hours away. When actually its just hand-written sheet of notes to recall from.. Kirby is not uncomfortable with the spurt of social media and the exponential increase of criticism that has gone alongside with it. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I just wish we had Liggett and Kelly doing the Grand Tours. You are calling the race as you see it on the screen. 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. CK:Its pretty bleak. After my tweet he at least toned that down. 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. 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. 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. His voice tends to wake me up from my nap when something happens. 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. You take yourself to the studio, call up your procyclingstats.com, do your research online. This is why he often cracks jokes and laughs heartily. I'm constantly berating or pointing out the danger of the motorcycle. 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.