Re: Re:
[/quote]On SBS Ausralia Phil andPaul have been the commentators for years, last year they only did the last few hours of each stage but now it seems they will only be guests on the broadcast. McEwen and Matt Keenan who usually does the early part of each stage before handing over to Phil and Paul, will be doing the commentary on most of each stage by the sounds of it. I have noticed that SBS have not had Phil and Paul on some of the classics as well, instead picking up the Eurosport feed. Sounds like a changing of the guard for Australian cycling fans.[/quote]
This is a good move, and IMO is long overdue. Keenan's voice can grate a little, but he has incredible knowledge of the riders and races (rather refreshing after years of Phil and Paul and their TDF central commentary....1,000 mentions of the Tour to every 1 mention of the Giro and Vuelta is a little too much for me, even when it is the biggest race in bike racing), and fan boyism can have it's place for viewer amusement/entertainment, as you want some emotion in a broadcast, so long as the commentator is not totally ignorant of the other riders. Keenan clearly isn't. Whilst his favs in the GC are Porte and Chaves (and he possibly fancies Froome too), he will regularly give glowing comments towards a rival such as Contador, and I'm sure that this will be the same again this July, even if it comes down to a close third week between Alberto and Richie.
McEwen is an outstanding special comments man in all respects, providing a nice balance of insight and occasional humour. I have to admit to being surprised about Robbie as a commentator. He shows a grand expertise and interest in the GC battle. If you didn't know him as a cyclist, you wouldn't even guess that he was a sprinter.
I think I have heard Carlton Kirby a couple of times on highlights on youtube, and if it's the guy I think it is, then I like him. Such enthusiasm!!