Volta Ciclista a Catalunya 2024 (March 18-24)

[Valv.Piti]

Very true. Norwegian TDF broadcast has been unbearable at times.

Norwegian broadcast is just unberable in general. Football, cycling, skiing... We lived in Norway for a couple of years, and my father used to absolutely hate the commentators and honestly most of the athletes as a result - outside of Ole Einar

 

[Sciatic]

Like Chris Harper, formerly Vingegaard.

I think this is true for every commentator though that they'll be biased in favour of their fellow country riders? It's part of how commenting works in every sport I think. It's just that English happens to be an international language and many listens to it so it's going to be obvious for more people.

While the national part is true, it does sometimes seem like there is extra enthusiasm for a rider from the Anglosphere even when from a different nation?

 

[Netserk]

You could finish at Jaciments de Fumanyà, doing a loop, or you can continue on to somewhere like Port del Compte or Tuixent-la Vansa.

There's also Rasos de Peguera.

You could also use the combo in the opposite order:

Puigcerdà > Berga

160.0 km, +4345 m. Bike ride in Puigcerdà, Cataluña

ridewithgps.com

EDIT: Ah, I didn't catch at first what you meant with your first sentence.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I think this is true for every commentator though that they'll be biased in favour of their fellow country riders? It's part of how commenting works in every sport I think. It's just that English happens to be an international language and many listens to it so it's going to be obvious for more people.

It's also the problem in a lot of niche sports - and let's be honest, cycling is one of those - the English-language commentary is de facto the international feed so to hear such blatant partisanship from what's functioning as a neutral feed is more jarring than it would be on a local broadcast where you can kind of wave it away.

This is the ongoing discussion we've had over several years in the XC skiing thread, because Eurosport International used the British Eurosport coverage which came with an unprofessional level of bias, actively screaming "come on!" at their favoured athlete(s) and cheering and shouting "YES!!!!" at other people's failures. Ironically enough, for American athletes who didn't receive as much blatant bias on the actual American coverage.

 

[Ripper]

It's also the problem in a lot of niche sports - and let's be honest, cycling is one of those - the English-language commentary is de facto the international feed so to hear such blatant partisanship from what's functioning as a neutral feed is more jarring than it would be on a local broadcast where you can kind of wave it away.

This is the ongoing discussion we've had over several years in the XC skiing thread, because Eurosport International used the British Eurosport coverage which came with an unprofessional level of bias, actively screaming "come on!" at their favoured athlete(s) and cheering and shouting "YES!!!!" at other people's failures. Ironically enough, for American athletes who didn't receive as much blatant bias on the actual American coverage.

Yup!

 

[Nick2413]

UAE tried their best to get a winner other than Pog but no luck.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Congratulations to Tadej Pogačar for winning the overall and for winning a lot of stages.

UAE tried hard today, to beat Pogi, all to no avail. Congrats to Landa and Bernal for making a strong case for themself. Vlasov just shy of a podium still demonstrating some good form in early season.

 

[Bolder]

I think this is true for every commentator though that they'll be biased in favour of their fellow country riders? It's part of how commenting works in every sport I think. It's just that English happens to be an international language and many listens to it so it's going to be obvious for more people.

French commentary is unbearable, especially in ski racing. Imagine an ostensibly neutral announcer literally screaming “Allez Pintu” over and over if Pinturault even manages to string together 3 good turns. I don’t think anglophones are worse than that, and I listen to Eurosport in both languages equally.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Enough of Teddy the climber: today it was Teddy the sprinter! 4 stages in a one week race, not too shabby (and almost got #5).

 

[Tricycle Rider]

UAE tried their best to get a winner other than Pog but no luck.

Apparently (according to Pog and the rest) the plan was to get Soler a win, but he just didn't have the legs.

 

[Rackham]

French commentary is unbearable, especially in ski racing. Imagine an ostensibly neutral announcer literally screaming “Allez Pintu” over and over if Pinturault even manages to string together 3 good turns. I don’t think anglophones are worse than that, and I listen to Eurosport in both languages equally.

I agree.

But as a caveat based on my experience, I believe the unabashed bias of French sports commentary is entirely 'forced' to the point it's completely unnatural.

I think it's pretty obvious the people in the commentary booth work based on a note which states "add passion, support the French athletes" (words to that effect) in whichever sport being broadcast. Their commentators will basically make a game of Squash sound like a world cup final with screams whenever they score a point.

It used to bug me when I was a kid but now I sort of realize it's all just part of the spectacle.

 

[Escarabajo]

Apparently (according to Pog and the rest) the plan was to get Soler a win, but he just didn't have the legs.

I heard that too. However his answered implied that Soler went a bit too early. So Soler being impatient!

 

[CyclistAbi]

(and almost got #5).

The one that got away.

P.S. Still some room left for progress.

 

[Lequack]

What can you say, even when he doesn't plant to win it, he wins it. Hats off. Having Vinge here would've made the racing more exciting though.

 

[Nick2413]

Apparently (according to Pog and the rest) the plan was to get Soler a win, but he just didn't have the legs.

Yep that’s what I’m saying. It’s funny watching the race knowing that Pog will still win even when everyone in the race including his own team is trying to get someone else to taste the spoils.

 

[Slavique Nuke]

It's also the problem in a lot of niche sports - and let's be honest, cycling is one of those - the English-language commentary is de facto the international feed so to hear such blatant partisanship from what's functioning as a neutral feed is more jarring than it would be on a local broadcast where you can kind of wave it away.

This is the ongoing discussion we've had over several years in the XC skiing thread, because Eurosport International used the British Eurosport coverage which came with an unprofessional level of bias, actively screaming "come on!" at their favoured athlete(s) and cheering and shouting "YES!!!!" at other people's failures. Ironically enough, for American athletes who didn't receive as much blatant bias on the actual American coverage.

It's the same in F1. You pay for F1TV and you get two broadcasts. One is British Sky Sports, the other is F1TV's own production, also British. Both are pure idiocy and unlistenable.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

It's as if Landa already knows his face is good enough for the next Gilette Fusion razor TV ad ($$$), while Pog and Bernal still have to ride.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

It's as if Landa already knows his face is good enough for the next Gilette Fusion razor TV ad ($$$), while Pog and Bernal still have to ride.

Mikel had better do it! Otherwise he'll have to pull Remco's fat ass up some high col while Teddy & Skeletor already having coffee at the finish!

 

[Elos Anjos]

What can you say, even when he doesn't plant to win it, he wins it. Hats off. Having Vinge here would've made the racing more exciting though.

Very cool photo. It has a lightness about it that shines through. Sometimes we forget they are regular people with fantastic genes.

 

[Oldermanish]

French commentary is unbearable, especially in ski racing. Imagine an ostensibly neutral announcer literally screaming “Allez Pintu” over and over if Pinturault even manages to string together 3 good turns. I don’t think anglophones are worse than that, and I listen to Eurosport in both languages equally.

The guys on the NBC affiliated feeds are getting better but still relate to their racing past; especially Christian VDV. They were restrained with Jorgenson in PN but that's 'cause they knew sh*t about him and were mouth breathing over Remco. The likey 'da Remco power. Not so much Roglic.
Bob knows the dietary aftermath of Sepp Kuss, it would seem; much to the disregard of Mr. Kuss. That kinda sums up that broadcast franchise. Chris Horner still occupies his universe but no longer languishes on NBC.

 

[Ripper]

I heard that too. However his answered implied that Soler went a bit too early. So Soler being impatient!

Soler being Soler?

The Solerism?

 

[noob]

Very cool photo. It has a lightness about it that shines through. Sometimes we forget they are regular people with fantastic genes.

"Fantastic genes probably won't ever create "regular people", but otherwise yes I agree. Lovely picture! These guys very happy to podium. Makes me happy to see too 😊