Commentary on TNT and other WB brands

[The Hitch]

Gerrans came from a long way back and he was partly obscured behind a fan's flag. Yes they make mistakes but you have to admit that the organisers did not have it right either. Having one of the Russians finishing third when he was not even in the picture. The graphics have been awful every day, from kms to go to the official finish line order. Constantly wrong. Eurosport can't do much about that.

its not that cartoon kirby couldnt identify the winner. its that he paid absolutelty no attention on the sprint for the win becsuse he was too busy calling samuel dumoilins sprint step by step from 5th to 3rd.

 

[simo1733]

Rob Hatch knows everything about everything.

 

[therealtimshady]

Itv showed highlights of Paris nice with the totally awful Matt Keenan
No one should ever moan about phil and Paul, Carlton or Dave harmon again

Also giro highlights to be shown on sky sports in the uk
But with usual live coverage on eurosport

 

[movingtarget]

its not that cartoon kirby couldnt identify the winner. its that he paid absolutelty no attention on the sprint for the win becsuse he was too busy calling samuel dumoilins sprint step by step from 5th to 3rd.

Yes, sometimes he anticipates things that don't actually happen instead of watching the race.

 

[Cycle Chic]

Crap Harmon

Sky Sports have Flanders on at 7pm....at least Rob Hatch can tell us about the riders in the whole peloton. Harmon knows 10 of them if that.

How many times does he just repeat the riders he knows. A lazy lazy commentator !!

 

[Cycle Chic]

Lazy git

Why doesn't he tell us a bit about Matthieu Ladagnous ??? I,ve heard about Sagan and Cancellara ad infinitum....coz he cant be bothered doing any reading on any other riders that's why !

 

[movingtarget]

Why doesn't he tell us a bit about Matthieu Ladagnous ??? I,ve heard about Sagan and Cancellara ad infinitum....coz he cant be bothered doing any reading on any other riders that's why !

Carlton Kirby only knows Doumoulin. Lately he has seen him breaking away on climbs even though he's a sprinter. He also seems a bit obsessed with Evans while Froome is breaking away at the front of the pack.

 

[Fight.The.Power]

Harmon / Kirby / Kelly are all brilliant !

 

[stefrees]

Kelly invented anew climb today, the Partersberg, brilliant!

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

Are these guys insane or will Eurosport soon be taken over by Sky sports?

 

[Pricey_sky]

Are these guys insane or will Eurosport soon be taken over by Sky sports?

I dont think Sky will take over Eurosport however they do like the cherry pick the best sports when they become very popular like they did with football, cricket and F1.

 

[gooner]

I dont think Sky will take over Eurosport however they do like the cherry pick the best sports when they become very popular like they did with football, cricket and F1.

Sky did show highlights of Scheldeprijs yesterday and are doing so for Brabantse Pijl as well next Wednesday. I can see them increasing their coverage in the years to come. Eurosport just did a deal with RCS events until 2016 and ITV have one with ASO until 2015 but when they are due to be negotiated again I can see Sky getting involved. And don't forget they showed the TDU live and highlights of T-A, MSR, G-W, and Flanders already. Next year they could easily increase it on to Omloop and DVV for example.

But speaking of the current commentators on Eurosport, I would say it was a lot worse in the many years before. I was never a huge fan of David Duffield where he was more interested in talking about wine and tourism while at the same time getting riders names mixed up. Roche came in a for a few years as co-commentator after he retired and was OK to be fair but I don't know does anyone ever remember Russell Williams alongside Duffield when Roche left. All I will say it was torture to listen to. Mike Smith(who you now see sometimes commentating on the snooker on Eurosport) came into replace Duffield and worked with Kelly on the Tour before Harmon took over. He wasn't bad but still not great even though he was was a significant improvement on Duffield which wasn't hard to be fair.

So while I understand the criticism of the commentary now, with the exception of Kirby it is of a much higher standard now with Harmon, Robert Hatch, Declan Quigley, Kelly, Backstedt, Smith(still needs to shut it with the Sky love in) and Lloyd. If it was like it was back in those days this thread would be a lot busier I can assure you.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Sky did show highlights of Scheldeprijs yesterday and are doing so for Brabantse Pijl as well next Wednesday. I can see them increasing their coverage in the years to come. Eurosport just did a deal with RCS events until 2016 and ITV have one with ASO until 2015 but when they are due to be negotiated again I can see Sky getting involved. And don't forget they showed the TDU live and highlights of T-A, MSR, G-W, and Flanders already. Next year they could easily increase it on to Omloop and DVV for example.

But speaking of the current commentators on Eurosport, I would say it was a lot worse in the many years before. I was never a huge fan of David Duffield where he was more interested in talking about wine and tourism while at the same time getting riders names mixed up. Roche came in a for a few years as co-commentator after he retired and was OK to be fair but I don't know does anyone ever remember Russell Williams alongside Duffield when Roche left. All I will say it was torture to listen to. Mike Smith(who you now see sometimes commentating on the snooker on Eurosport) came into replace Duffield and worked with Kelly on the Tour before Harmon took over. He wasn't bad but still not great even though he was was a significant improvement on Duffield which wasn't hard to be fair.

So while I understand the criticism of the commentary now, with the exception of Kirby it is of a much higher standard now with Harmon, Robert Hatch, Declan Quigley, Kelly, Backstedt, Smith(still needs to shut it with the Sky love in) and Lloyd. If it was like it was back in those days this thread would be a lot busier I can assure you.

I agree with you, I'm very confident that Sky tv will be investing much more into highlights of the big races over the coming years. They have got the financial power to do it too.

I like the Harmon/Kelly partnership on ES also. They at least have a big passion for the sport and suit each other well.

 

[asdfgh101]

Sky did show highlights of Scheldeprijs yesterday and are doing so for Brabantse Pijl as well next Wednesday. I can see them increasing their coverage in the years to come. Eurosport just did a deal with RCS events until 2016 and ITV have one with ASO until 2015 but when they are due to be negotiated again I can see Sky getting involved. And don't forget they showed the TDU live and highlights of T-A, MSR, G-W, and Flanders already. Next year they could easily increase it on to Omloop and DVV for example.

But speaking of the current commentators on Eurosport, I would say it was a lot worse in the many years before. I was never a huge fan of David Duffield where he was more interested in talking about wine and tourism while at the same time getting riders names mixed up. Roche came in a for a few years as co-commentator after he retired and was OK to be fair but I don't know does anyone ever remember Russell Williams alongside Duffield when Roche left. All I will say it was torture to listen to. Mike Smith(who you now see sometimes commentating on the snooker on Eurosport) came into replace Duffield and worked with Kelly on the Tour before Harmon took over. He wasn't bad but still not great even though he was was a significant improvement on Duffield which wasn't hard to be fair.

So while I understand the criticism of the commentary now, with the exception of Kirby it is of a much higher standard now with Harmon, Robert Hatch, Declan Quigley, Kelly, Backstedt, Smith(still needs to shut it with the Sky love in) and Lloyd. If it was like it was back in those days this thread would be a lot busier I can assure you.

Sky did show DDV. It seems they have bought a package; if you check the opening credits it lists the races (i'll post them up next time if i can be bothered). The problem is that 20 mins of race footage is insufficient for a lot of races (and too much for Scheldeprijs!).

 

[Alpechraxler]

Today in German Eurosport Jean-Claude Leclercq talked about that Quintana probably had a "Blutwurst" for lunch.

 

[gooner]

Sky did show DDV. It seems they have bought a package; if you check the opening credits it lists the races (i'll post them up next time if i can be bothered). The problem is that 20 mins of race footage is insufficient for a lot of races (and too much for Scheldeprijs!).

Looks like they have done a collective deal so with Flanders Classics. Now I see they also have 2 hours delayed coverage for Amstel next Sunday 19.00-21.00. Like I mentioned RCS and ASO contracts are tied down longer term but the ones like Pais Vasco, Romandie, TDS and Catalonia could easily for all we know be done on a more short-term basis or even on a year by year basis. I would gather a guess(I maybe wrong as well) it would be on a year by year one for some of these races as last year Eurosport didn't even show Pais Vasco due to track cycling filling their schedule instead. Sky might have their eyes set on these next and gradually build up their coverage all the way to 2015 when the ASO contract expires and the RCS one in 2016 and progress to try and poach them. A gradual build up to monopolization could easily be on the cards here I say.

 

[argyllflyer]

Kirby on "form" today. Moment in the race when a Cannondale rider nearly ran into the back of Cadel Evans. Despite having commented on Basso's orange shades about five minutes before, CK, identified the luminous green shades wearer from Cannondale as Basso and acted out a conversation between the two of them. Magnus Backstedt then added a comment saying "Cameron Wurf rode up behind Evans" to which CK chortled, as he does, and said another mindreading comment relating to (the non present) Basso's actions.

 

[Cycle Chic]

Carlton 'mental' Kirby

Yes I also endured Kirby's verbal diarrhea today.

And it really was ****e and more ****e that he was talking. I couldn't mute the volume - I am sure Kirby has well and truly lost the plot. His commentary was actually insane. I think he should be sectioned.

Hopefully he realises he is on borrowed time because he has now added something new to his commentary style - become more feverish and agitated and we wont listen to what he is saying.

Magnus Backstedt must just sit there and laugh as there is nothing else to do apart from cry.

 

[argyllflyer]

Yes I also endured Kirby's verbal diarrhea today.

And it really was ****e and more ****e that he was talking. I couldn't mute the volume - I am sure Kirby has well and truly lost the plot. His commentary was actually insane. I think he should be sectioned.

Hopefully he realises he is on borrowed time because he has now added something new to his commentary style - become more feverish and agitated and we wont listen to what he is saying.

Magnus Backstedt must just sit there and laugh as there is nothing else to do apart from cry.

It was utter gibberish throughout. I'm increasingly tired of his overused stock phrases.

 

[gooner]

I would like to see more of Robert Hatch or Declan Quigley. I know Hatch also does a lot of commentary for the international feeds so it might be more difficult for them to get him to do these races but Quigley was very good with Backstedt for MSR and CI. I also enjoyed his commentary for Tro Bro Leon last Sunday.

It's not hard to find someone better than Kirby and it beggars belief why Eurosport haven't acted on this yet. Surely they have to see the many faults with his commentary like we do around here.

 

[Cycle Chic]

Harmons Leaving

david harmon‏@spokesmen3h
I've done all that's been asked of me by Eurosport for a decade and they have given me a wonderful career but I'm off to rediscover the love

david harmon ‏@spokesmen 3h
I'm sure you'll be in good hands over he next 2 months but I've had enough. Time to do some things for me and those I love.

https://twitter.com/spokesmen/status/325622327415029760

david harmon ‏@spokesmen 3h Tour of Turkey next week and them I'm outta here until the Tour. Time to make those changes in life for the better.

Oh what a joyful day !! Thank you God

David Harmon is leaving Eurosport....until the Tour anyway. Wow lets hope they get someone decent on to commentate. Wahoooooooooooooooooooooooooo !!!!!!!!!

Now Kirby needs to get lost.

 

[therealtimshady]

Oh what a joyful day !! Thank you God

David Harmon is leaving Eurosport....until the Tour anyway. Wow lets hope they get someone decent on to commentate. Wahoooooooooooooooooooooooooo !!!!!!!!!

Now Kirby needs to get lost.

Who will do the giro now?? Kirby?? Will harmon return?? Or is this just a mini break??

 

[argyllflyer]

Who will do the giro now?? Kirby?? Will harmon return?? Or is this just a mini break??

Kirby works for RCS doing their English international feed commentaries. He'll be doing the Giro for them.

Rob Hatch is doing 4 Days of Dunquerque and California for Eurosport and Belgium, for who knows. He's confirmed on Twitter he's not doing the Giro.

Of course, things can change but Eurosport are down to the likes of Ant McCrossan, Declan Quigley and Jon Harris-Bass without a reshuffle, can't think of anyone else who has worked with them recently.

 

[therealtimshady]

Kirby works for RCS doing their English international feed commentaries. He'll be doing the Giro for them.

Rob Hatch is doing 4 Days of Dunquerque and California for Eurosport and Belgium, for who knows. He's confirmed on Twitter he's not doing the Giro.

Of course, things can change but Eurosport are down to the likes of Ant McCrossan, Declan Quigley and Jon Harris-Bass without a reshuffle, can't think of anyone else who has worked with them recently.

Shame , I have grown to like harmon I hope he does the vuelta

 

[argyllflyer]

Shame , I have grown to like harmon I hope he does the vuelta

Going by what he's saying, it's a 2 month break until the Tour. He'd only miss Giro and Dauphine from what I can see, seeing as Eurosport have lost Tour de Suisse.