Commentary on TNT and other WB brands

[Samu Cuenca]

I like listening to Robbie and always have done. Jez Cox however grinded my gears while catching up on this week's latest semi classic from Belgium, saying that Bruges-De Panne was the 'unofficial sprinter's world championship' at least a dozen times. Did something happen over covid times that elevated the remnant of a good fun '4 stages in 3 days' chipper into something of that ilk? I have never heard it referred to that way.

It sounds like he mistook it for Scheldeprijs.

 

[fmk_RoI]

I like listening to Robbie and always have done. Jez Cox however grinded my gears while catching up on this week's latest semi classic from Belgium, saying that Bruges-De Panne was the 'unofficial sprinter's world championship' at least a dozen times. Did something happen over covid times that elevated the remnant of a good fun '4 stages in 3 days' chipper into something of that ilk? I have never heard it referred to that way.

It's become a bit of an in-joke for some, when you consider all the other races that are the Sprinters' World Championships. Almost as funny as GCN working the Sixth Monument thing they have going on.

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

It's become a bit of an in-joke for some, when you consider all the other races that are the Sprinters' World Championships. Almost as funny as GCN working the Sixth Monument thing they have going on.

Gravel Cycling Network.

 

[Kaptain Kool]

I like listening to Robbie and always have done. Jez Cox however grinded my gears while catching up on this week's latest semi classic from Belgium, saying that Bruges-De Panne was the 'unofficial sprinter's world championship' at least a dozen times. Did something happen over covid times that elevated the remnant of a good fun '4 stages in 3 days' chipper into something of that ilk? I have never heard it referred to that way.

Jez Cox says all sorts of weird things. He repeatedly referred to the Faun Ardeche Classic as part of the French cycling's "opening weekend," even though GP La Marseillaise was 3 weeks earlier and has been the opener in France in forever. Not to mention that GCN/ES had aired not only GP La Marseillaise but also 2 other stage races in France in the previous weeks.

Or during a women's cross race, Cox made a random comment of something like, "Just got throw this out there, you never know when a rider is on her period."

He's also the only English-language commentator that only refers to Alaphillipe as "LouLou," which is annoying partially because that's not the only rider with a similarly sounding nickname. I'm looking forward to when Alaphilippe gets dropped in a race and Cox says, "Hmmmmm, I wonder if LouLou has an inopportune erection."

 

[tobydawq]

Wow, Michael Stærke calling Quentin Pacher "Parker" must be up there among the worst mispronunciations I have ever heard.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Blythe absolutely determined that he can recognise 'Magnus Tiller'.

Less confident in knowing his forename perhaps.

 

[manafana]

Anyone ever feel Rowe doesn't co-comm properly, she seems to take over when she talks describing whats obvious to us in way a lead comm might do

Dani Christmas seems better at it as is Hannah but she seems to be aiming herself at wider work around mens racing

 

[Lequack]

Carlton Kirby, when MVDP and Pogacar was distancing the others:
"Its a slap in the face for everyone, it's almost like the Oscars "

Very up to date on his puns, is Kirby.

 

[Izzyeviel]

Carlton's a very underrated commentator.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Anyone ever feel Rowe doesn't co-comm properly, she seems to take over when she talks describing whats obvious to us in way a lead comm might do

Dani Christmas seems better at it as is Hannah but she seems to be aiming herself at wider work around mens racing

I'd agree with that. On wednesday at Dwars door Vlaanderen when I joined the coverage after watching the mens it sounded like Macdonald had a bad throat (that he cant really help having!) and but that added to the way Rowe was talking and it seemed like they just sounded generally disinterested. It picked up in enthusiasm towards the end, so maybe it's always like that and I just hadn't watched that early before.

I haven't noticed it much before, but the winner interviews that aren't in english seem to be more regularly translated this year. Maybe its the choice of commentators because using Dan Lloyd as the main commentator and using Jez Cox seem to be recent additions but i wasn't aware they spoke/understood french. I knew Magnus Backstedt can speak dutch but its interesting to see that Robbie Mcewen could at least understand it and possibly speak it.

 

[Ranagazoo]

I realised today I actually like Carlton Kirby, he cracked me up a few times today.

Also, how good is Robbie McEwan, Australian TV's loss is everyone else's gain.

 

[SafeBet]

Carlton's a very underrated commentator.

He's a very underrated comedian. Commentator is a different job.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I'd agree with that. On wednesday at Dwars door Vlaanderen when I joined the coverage after watching the mens it sounded like Macdonald had a bad throat (that he cant really help having!) and but that added to the way Rowe was talking and it seemed like they just sounded generally disinterested. It picked up in enthusiasm towards the end, so maybe it's always like that and I just hadn't watched that early before.

I haven't noticed it much before, but the winner interviews that aren't in english seem to be more regularly translated this year. Maybe its the choice of commentators because using Dan Lloyd as the main commentator and using Jez Cox seem to be recent additions but i wasn't aware they spoke/understood french. I knew Magnus Backstedt can speak dutch but its interesting to see that Robbie Mcewen could at least understand it and possibly speak it.

One other thing is that Rowe does have a baby at home, she was doing some commentary last season while heavily pregnant, so she may have some days where she's simply a bit tired! I generally like Dani on commentary to be honest.

I'd be very surprised if, even if he was flagging in the week, Marty wasn't back to at least normal levels of enthusiasm today. I mean, Anna Henderson was in the break and everything.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

McEwen has been pretty good. Dare I say it too, he and Kirby have linked up very well. They genuinely seem to have good chemistry and have fun together.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

One other thing is that Rowe does have a baby at home, she was doing some commentary last season while heavily pregnant, so she may have some days where she's simply a bit tired! I generally like Dani on commentary to be honest.

I'd be very surprised if, even if he was flagging in the week, Marty wasn't back to at least normal levels of enthusiasm today. I mean, Anna Henderson was in the break and everything.

I suppose everyone's human and does get tired. It might just have been more noticeable after listening to LLoyd and Blythe and their amusing self deprecation for an hour or so.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

I knew Magnus Backstedt can speak dutch but its interesting to see that Robbie Mcewen could at least understand it and possibly speak it.

Ah, I've just looked at his wiki page and apparently he's fluent after living in Belgium for a while!

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I give Marty stick for the Henderson thing plenty, but I don't mind him at all most of the time. On the other hand, Adam "I'm mates with these guys" Blythe might just be the dirt worst commentator GCN have.

 

[Netserk]

I really don't understand why Backstedt wasn't commentating today. While I think he is quite good generally, he is really good for the cobbled classics. And he has a pleasant voice and way of speaking.

 

[hayneplane]

Ah, I've just looked at his wiki page and apparently he's fluent after living in Belgium for a while!

He rode for Lotto for several years so not surprising that he picked up at least enough language skills to get by.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Would like to know why Hatch & Backstedt were on the 'world feed' and not Eurosport - and why we couldn't select the 'world feed'. Regarding Magnus, I find it slightly amusing that Zoe did a few CX races in Sweden, and couldn't speak much Swedish.....

 

[Netserk]

Would like to know why Hatch & Backstedt were on the 'world feed' and not Eurosport - and why we couldn't select the 'world feed'.

Ah, thanks for the explanation. I would definitely have preferred that duo over the English Eurosport feed.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Ah, I've just looked at his wiki page and apparently he's fluent after living in Belgium for a while!

And he married a Belgian (Flemisch).

But like Ewan currently, McEwen was Lotto's pocket sprinter for years and was rather prolific at the Tour and Giro. He 's still on Flemisch cycling talkshows every once in a while.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Maybe Eurosport could have a guest appearance of some Slovenian commentator during the Tour. On a stage or two. Lets say Super Planche des Belles Filles and maybe on the stage one day after. Maybe Martin Hvastija if his English is OK. In this days where you basically need a microphone and a telly this shouldn't be that hard.

P.S. Most of you are likely just bored a bit and that is why you complain that much. Some fresh blood could resolve that. The peloton is international and i guess that is what makes it exciting. As there is only that much monoculture one can handle.

 

[CyclistAbi]

And i could imagine there are a lot of commentators out there that wouldn't mind at all taking a selfie with Carlton.

 

[HelloDolly]

Nico Roche on GCN now for #itzulia

I like him even if appears shy and quiet Knows his onions