I actually regard Liniger as a competent football radio commentator. Football is probably among the first things he ever commented live. He then became an allrounder, and that's often the road to mediocrity, at best.
He obviously doesn't know particularly much about cycling, so he just uses his general experience to say default stuff. Once you notice, it's unbearable to listen to. It's like if you ask AI: What would a sports commentator say in this situation? Most likely the answer would be something Liniger would say. He adds basically nothing to what we are seeing on the screen and know already.
And the way he handles sprints is awful. That sprint in Gladsaxe ... OMG. He didn't help the TV viewers at all. And the stage winner was only named by Liniger once he had crossed the finish line, even though Wærenskjold was among the favourites.
Alex Rasmussen is good. But it would be even more interesting to hear a rider who is still active in the sport or was active until recently.
Tobias Hansen should take at least one more interview course. He's a better live commentator than interviewer. Like when he interviewed Fuglsang: "Could this finish be any better?" and "Are you basically proud of what you have achieved?" were among his questions. How lame is that (especially in the context of a sportsman who is famous for being modest and calm).
Sports interviews are rarely interesting, but this was just amateurish. As if Hansen hadn't prepared a single thing to say. And his habit of laughing out loud right after all his questions ... I mean, please, stop it!
Sarah Fisker is the opposite. Professional, well-balanced, well-prepared, on point. An excellent voice too! The best Danish female TV sports reporter if you ask me.
I couldn't agree more.
Especially regarding Liniger as a football radio commentator, this is his prime stuff.
Regarding cycling my observation is that he has become even worse than before - this edition of PNDR has been downright awfull in every aspect.
What has particularly irritated me immensely listening to him in this edition is the annoyance at his complete lack of preparation when commenting on the terrain the riders are passing, not only the "AI reading" of cultural elements (horrible), but first and foremost the reading of the route as the race progresses, the lack of detail in relation to hotspots and otherwise more well-known locations, not only for cyclists but in general.
And with my many years of local knowledge from training and participation in recreational races for the fourth and especially the fifth stage (of which has been almost my cycling upbringing / proving grounds, besides playgrounds for almost five decades), it takes the prize for the absolutely laziest preparation.
Which is highly embarrassing when so many viewers with far better knowledge are watching while listening to Liniger.
Here I'm just glad not to have been in Alex Rasmussen's shoes, of which must've been some kind of overcoming, trying to save the pieces - was needed almost every minute Liniger opened his mouth.
IMHO Henrik Liniger's worst performance to date.
And here I haven't even included his completely absent feeling for essential things to be aware of when it comes to commenting on the core cycling race itself.
I also completely agree with your words on Tobias Hansen.
However, it's nice to see Tobias already back after his cardiac arrest, not long ago.
But he clearly does his best as a radio speaker and lacks training as a live interviewer on TV.
And yes, with the positive glasses on I would have mentioned Sarah Fisker myself.
I have the feeling that she would do excellently as the main commentator instead of Liniger.
But it'll probably just stay as a dream to have Liniger thrown away from any cycling commentary and back to the radio broadcast platform to comment on football matches...
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram