Eurosport commentary

[HelloDolly]

Re: Re:

We're not the only ones who sometimes are unhappy about the commentators:

"It's kind of strange to watch TV and listen to the commentary... and how bad it can be sometimes. If you watch MotoGP it's brilliant because they really know their sport and they're so upbeat. Then you turn onto cycling. I think for the sport to move forward, you need commentators that know what they're talking about."

- Richie Porte in ProCycling.

It doesn't say who he is talking about, though.

He is talking about Kirby ...and his wife doesnt like Kirby either

A few other pros like Adam Blythe and Luke Rowe have had issues with Kirbys commentary for races they were not in

The man does not know the sport and is a SKY /Chris Froome fanboy

So you know for sure Little Ritchie Porte--aka LRP-- is talking about Kirby. You also know his wife does not like him and you claim to know the Kirbster knows nothing about the sport.
Let's break this statement down a little, shall we?
I have no clue who you are, so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you know for a fact LRP is referring to my man Carlton Kirby.
You say Carlton Kirby knows nothing about the sport while claiming LRP's wife hates him, too. I don't know LRP's wife. Do you think she knows more about cycling than Carlton Kirby?
While we're here, please tell me what he does not know about the sport. I'm not trying to be sarcastic. What once started as a joke to defend my man Carlton Kirby has now become a little bit more serious. I have been paying a lot of attention to what he says, and I do not agree that he has no clue what he's talking about. That notion is bullocks.
Also, please elaborate on the notion that Kirby is a fanboy for Sky/Froome. To me, the notion is absolutely ridiculous.
I guess this is a long-winded way of asking why you think Kirby is a skybot who knows nothing about cycling.
Please provide examples.
Otherwise, you're talking out of your ***.

Just listening to Kirby at Ruta de Sol now
He has said how great it is to have Chris Frome back ( no idea where he has been ) and how the others rides welcomed him back and how the press were making his life difficult
In fact he hardly mentioned any other riders leading in the race ...it was all Froome with him and how great he is s ...and people here talk about Phil Ligget

Besides the fact that it is a lie that other riders welcomed Froome back Kirby has decided that the adverse findings on the Salbutamol test is just an inconvenience for Froome and didnt even mention the details. It was all just poor Froome and how the press is out to get him...but hey Froome gives everything (more like takes everything ) and he is wondeful to have here in Andulucia racing !!!

KIrby will have no bad word said about Froome ....but lets see if that was a Russian or Spanish rider....he would make every allusion about their performance from the beginning of time...certainly never held back on Bala or Bertie...but Frooem nothing

The man is a disgrace to cycling and should be taken off the box. He is totally biased and an idiot

You are making things up - Kirby clearly stated that Froome has his issues during the telecast - He made no mention of the press being out to get Froome - There is no need for Kirby or Stephens to go into great details about the Froome issue - His job is to call the race while Stephen's provide special comments.

I am not making things UP !!!

He said all I relayed and maybe Kirby & Stephens dont need to talk about the details of the Frooem case ( i dint suggest they did ) but dont talk as if it is just an inconveninece to poor Froome and the press are giving poor Froome a hard time ... this was his approach ....as far as Kirby is concerned Froome is the victim ,,every word he uttered had that slant
I dont make things up ... listen to what he said then go back and listen to what he has said about other riders who have failed tests

And he lied when he said the other rider welocmed Froome...there is enough evidence through published interviews that they didnt

And Kirby kept saying how great it was to have Froome racing in this race when so many others in the sport have suggested he be suspended until the case is settled .....and you dont call that bias

 

[yaco]

I was more concerned with the inference from Kirby/Stephens that Froome may have faked his puncture before the final climb in stage 4, and Kirby's arithmetic skills that were sadly lacking today - All Kirby stated during the telecast was Froome had issues to resolve and inferred he had the weight of the world on his shoulders - It becomes tiring when some pollute threads time and time again because they don't like a commentator - Personally I find Kirby to be OK, and he he is most effective during exciting moments during stages/races, or at the finish of sprint stages - And as he mostly does stage races which by their very nature can have many flat spots, he tries to liven up the coverage.

 

[argyllflyer]

I was more concerned with the inference from Kirby/Stephens that Froome may have faked his puncture before the final climb in stage 4, and Kirby's arithmetic skills that were sadly lacking today - All Kirby stated during the telecast was Froome had issues to resolve and inferred he had the weight of the world on his shoulders - It becomes tiring when some pollute threads time and time again because they don't like a commentator - Personally I find Kirby to be OK, and he he is most effective during exciting moments during stages/races, or at the finish of sprint stages - And as he mostly does stage races which by their very nature can have many flat spots, he tries to liven up the coverage.

And to be fair, the race started in midweek and they've been talking about Froome etc every day. I have watched every day but I haven't listened to everything they have said. They have (that I have heard) talked about the whole thing a fair amount.

 

[the delgados]

I was more concerned with the inference from Kirby/Stephens that Froome may have faked his puncture before the final climb in stage 4, and Kirby's arithmetic skills that were sadly lacking today - All Kirby stated during the telecast was Froome had issues to resolve and inferred he had the weight of the world on his shoulders - It becomes tiring when some pollute threads time and time again because they don't like a commentator - Personally I find Kirby to be OK, and he he is most effective during exciting moments during stages/races, or at the finish of sprint stages - And as he mostly does stage races which by their very nature can have many flat spots, he tries to liven up the coverage.

And to be fair, the race started in midweek and they've been talking about Froome etc every day. I have watched every day but I haven't listened to everything they have said. They have (that I have heard) talked about the whole thing a fair amount.

You are correct. I feel like they've dealt with the issue in a controlled and diplomatic manner. I do not see a Sky bias in the way the issue has been dealt with on air. I don't wish to put words in the mouths of others, and I apologize in advance if I do so, but it seems to me that some feel it is Carlton Kirby's job to vilify Froome on air, during a race. That would be a really stupid thing to do, for more reasons than one.
p.s. Edited to add that if a bias existed, they would not have brought up the subject. Keep in mind that a lot of people who tune in to a broadcast know next to nothing about the sport. If Carlton et al. wanted to brush the issue under the carpet, they would not say one word about what's going on.

 

[yaco]

I was more concerned with the inference from Kirby/Stephens that Froome may have faked his puncture before the final climb in stage 4, and Kirby's arithmetic skills that were sadly lacking today - All Kirby stated during the telecast was Froome had issues to resolve and inferred he had the weight of the world on his shoulders - It becomes tiring when some pollute threads time and time again because they don't like a commentator - Personally I find Kirby to be OK, and he he is most effective during exciting moments during stages/races, or at the finish of sprint stages - And as he mostly does stage races which by their very nature can have many flat spots, he tries to liven up the coverage.

And to be fair, the race started in midweek and they've been talking about Froome etc every day. I have watched every day but I haven't listened to everything they have said. They have (that I have heard) talked about the whole thing a fair amount.

I agree the commentators mentioned Froome too often during the five days - Will add that at least they spoke in general terms about Froome.

 

[HelloDolly]

I was more concerned with the inference from Kirby/Stephens that Froome may have faked his puncture before the final climb in stage 4, and Kirby's arithmetic skills that were sadly lacking today - All Kirby stated during the telecast was Froome had issues to resolve and inferred he had the weight of the world on his shoulders - It becomes tiring when some pollute threads time and time again because they don't like a commentator - Personally I find Kirby to be OK, and he he is most effective during exciting moments during stages/races, or at the finish of sprint stages - And as he mostly does stage races which by their very nature can have many flat spots, he tries to liven up the coverage.

My comments are 'polluting a thread' while you and delgados can ignore what is said cos it doesnt support your view ? But I guess you are not polluting a thread.

How arrogant are you ...your opinion is all that matters? its an opinion forum and I am entitled to my opinions on Kirby without being accused of poluting or making things up

Ridiculous debating with someone like you ...you are just interested in throwing mud an what you dont want to hear , not dealing in facts

 

[the delgados]

I was more concerned with the inference from Kirby/Stephens that Froome may have faked his puncture before the final climb in stage 4, and Kirby's arithmetic skills that were sadly lacking today - All Kirby stated during the telecast was Froome had issues to resolve and inferred he had the weight of the world on his shoulders - It becomes tiring when some pollute threads time and time again because they don't like a commentator - Personally I find Kirby to be OK, and he he is most effective during exciting moments during stages/races, or at the finish of sprint stages - And as he mostly does stage races which by their very nature can have many flat spots, he tries to liven up the coverage.

My comments are 'polluting a thread' while you and delgados can ignore what is said cos it doesnt support your view ? But I guess you are not polluting a thread.

How arrogant are you ...your opinion is all that matters? its an opinion forum and I am entitled to my opinions on Kirby without being accused of poluting or making things up

Ridiculous debating with someone like you ...you are just interested in throwing mud an what you dont want to hear , not dealing in facts

Easy now. Let's all stop with this cussin' and feudin.'
Since my username was mentioned in the previous post, I feel obligated to speak up on my own behalf.
For what it's worth, I've just been having fun with the whole pro/anti Kirby thing. Online feuds can be really tiresome, and I admit that what started as a joke took on a different spin. Reason being is I really started to pay attention to what Kirby was saying, and more often than not, I realized a lot of the criticism leveled against CK was completely unfair and unfounded. I was beginning to get the impression that folks here considered CK the "Fred" of broadcasting.
I'm a sappy bleeding heart whose instinct is to to stick up for the underdog, and I realize I have become the butt of my own joke.
Honestly, I don't care if some rando on the interwebs doesn't like Carlton Kirby. I tend to care about what I see as glaring inaccuracies, but even those don't warrant a pissing match on the internet.
I hereby apologize for pissing anyone off.
Please carry on.

 

[yaco]

I was more concerned with the inference from Kirby/Stephens that Froome may have faked his puncture before the final climb in stage 4, and Kirby's arithmetic skills that were sadly lacking today - All Kirby stated during the telecast was Froome had issues to resolve and inferred he had the weight of the world on his shoulders - It becomes tiring when some pollute threads time and time again because they don't like a commentator - Personally I find Kirby to be OK, and he he is most effective during exciting moments during stages/races, or at the finish of sprint stages - And as he mostly does stage races which by their very nature can have many flat spots, he tries to liven up the coverage.

My comments are 'polluting a thread' while you and delgados can ignore what is said cos it doesnt support your view ? But I guess you are not polluting a thread.

How arrogant are you ...your opinion is all that matters? its an opinion forum and I am entitled to my opinions on Kirby without being accused of poluting or making things up

Ridiculous debating with someone like you ...you are just interested in throwing mud an what you dont want to hear , not dealing in facts

Yes your comments are polluting a thread - Many posts contain assertions about what commentator X has allegedly sent through a broadcast and they are spot on the money, so there is no need to say anything - In this case, your interpretation, your nuance, your spin about Kirby's comments about Froome on this day and during the particular race are stretching the truth - As two other posters have pointed out the Froome discussion was couched in general terms and showed no BIAS for or against Froome - It's only you who can see BIAS.

 

[Robert5091]

I was more concerned with the inference from Kirby/Stephens that Froome may have faked his puncture before the final climb in stage 4,

Yep, heard it too ... and ... mute on!

 

[yaco]

Re:

I was more concerned with the inference from Kirby/Stephens that Froome may have faked his puncture before the final climb in stage 4,

Yep, heard it too ... and ... mute on!

Of course these things happen but surprised it would be publically discussed.

 

[ferryman]

Re: Re:

I was more concerned with the inference from Kirby/Stephens that Froome may have faked his puncture before the final climb in stage 4,

Yep, heard it too ... and ... mute on!

Of course these things happen but surprised it would be publically discussed.

What was the inference behind their faked puncture comment? Didn't see any coverage of the race..

 

[HelloDolly]

I was more concerned with the inference from Kirby/Stephens that Froome may have faked his puncture before the final climb in stage 4, and Kirby's arithmetic skills that were sadly lacking today - All Kirby stated during the telecast was Froome had issues to resolve and inferred he had the weight of the world on his shoulders - It becomes tiring when some pollute threads time and time again because they don't like a commentator - Personally I find Kirby to be OK, and he he is most effective during exciting moments during stages/races, or at the finish of sprint stages - And as he mostly does stage races which by their very nature can have many flat spots, he tries to liven up the coverage.

My comments are 'polluting a thread' while you and delgados can ignore what is said cos it doesnt support your view ? But I guess you are not polluting a thread.

How arrogant are you ...your opinion is all that matters? its an opinion forum and I am entitled to my opinions on Kirby without being accused of poluting or making things up

Ridiculous debating with someone like you ...you are just interested in throwing mud an what you dont want to hear , not dealing in facts

Yes your comments are polluting a thread - Many posts contain assertions about what commentator X has allegedly sent through a broadcast and they are spot on the money, so there is no need to say anything - In this case, your interpretation, your nuance, your spin about Kirby's comments about Froome on this day and during the particular race are stretching the truth - As two other posters have pointed out the Froome discussion was couched in general terms and showed no BIAS for or against Froome - It's only you who can see BIAS.

As I said you are arrogant

The cooments are plain to be heard on the TT day

 

[wansteadimp]

Re: Re:

I was more concerned with the inference from Kirby/Stephens that Froome may have faked his puncture before the final climb in stage 4,

Yep, heard it too ... and ... mute on!

Of course these things happen but surprised it would be publically discussed.

What was the inference behind their faked puncture comment? Didn't see any coverage of the race..

The inference was that Sky didn't want Froome being in a position to win the race because of the doping case, having a puncture just before an uphill finish would ensure he lost enough time to rule him out of the overall.

However, several other riders had punctures on the same stretch of road. So.....

 

[the delgados]

Re: Re:

I was more concerned with the inference from Kirby/Stephens that Froome may have faked his puncture before the final climb in stage 4,

Yep, heard it too ... and ... mute on!

Of course these things happen but surprised it would be publically discussed.

What was the inference behind their faked puncture comment? Didn't see any coverage of the race..

The inference was that Sky didn't want Froome being in a position to win the race because of the doping case, having a puncture just before an uphill finish would ensure he lost enough time to rule him out of the overall.

However, several other riders had punctures on the same stretch of road. So.....

...Carlton is taking the piss, as they say. He's goofin' around. He's making a joke by mentioning the Froome scandal in a not so subtle way.
He is quite unlike any other broadcaster I've heard in any sport; and as Martha Stewart would say: "That's a good thing."
He reminds me of the kind of guy with whom I'd gladly share a beer and make cracks while watching a sport we really like.
P.S. Edited to add CK is your everyman. He resembles so many likable people who has their flaws. And who the hell doesn't have flaws?
That said, no one calls the end of a bike race like CK. The man is talented.

 

[Robert5091]

Carlton is taking the piss, as they say. He's goofin' around.

Did n't sound like it to me. CK's humor is normally more juvenile.

 

[the delgados]

Re:

I was more concerned with the inference from Kirby/Stephens that Froome may have faked his puncture before the final climb in stage 4,

Yep, heard it too ... and ... mute on!

"Mute on!"
Totally off-topic, but that would be a great band name for self-deprecating types.

 

[argyllflyer]

duplicate

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Not eurosport related but... VTM will be broadcasting Milan-San Remo and the commentators will be Meryn Castelijn and....TORNADO TOM!!! Get blown away!!!

 

[lemon cheese cake]

I guess Rob Hatch won't be on Eurosport for any of the events organised by Flanders Classics, as he does the English international broadcast.

 

[argyllflyer]

Re:

I guess Rob Hatch won't be on Eurosport for any of the events organised by Flanders Classics, as he does the English international broadcast.

Yeah, all his ES bookings are in my post (someone asked him on Twitter)

 

[MikeTichondrius]

Paulo Martins on Eurosport PT is getting worse with names, which I thought wasn't possible...Jos van Emden is now Jus van Venen and Bettiol is now Bettioli (because it didn't sound Italian enough I guess).

 

[TMP402]

Carlton's saying "writ large" a lot recently.

 

[argyllflyer]

duplicate

 

[Cycle Chic]

Re: Re:

the delgados aka CARLTON KIRBY
"That said, no one calls the end of a bike race like CK. The man is talented"

I see that Carlton is still monitoring his 'borrowed time' on Eurosport. Tirreno Adriatico is yet another race ruined by his drivel. The one good fact though, is that he seems to be slowly being edged out by the commentators who know what they are talking about.

 

[the delgados]

Re: Re:

the delgados aka CARLTON KIRBY
"That said, no one calls the end of a bike race like CK. The man is talented"

I see that Carlton is still monitoring his 'borrowed time' on Eurosport. Tirreno Adriatico is yet another race ruined by his drivel. The one good fact though, is that he seems to be slowly being edged out by the commentators who know what they are talking about.

Oh, hey there, Cycle Chic!
Long time no see. I hope you and the family are well.
Funny, I came here immediately after stage 4 of Tirreno Adriatico just for kicks. I knew one of the braying hounds would have something to say about my man Carlton Kirby. I'm not surprised that you are one of the usual suspects who come here to announce his imminent demise. According to your prognostications, the guy should have been fired at least two years ago. Yet you still hang on to the hope! Good for you, Cycle Chic. No one can call you a quitter.
I watched the final 20 km's or so of today's stage and was listening intently to what my man CK was saying. Please correct me if I'm wrong (with examples), but he seemed to have a good grasp on what was happening.