CK:Its pretty bleak. Carlton Kirby: No matter if youre in a mobile unit at the finish, or in a studio with air conditioning and a coffee machine, youre doing the same thing, the view out the window is just different. 27/8/22: Stage 7 of the Vuelta, Herrada wins the sprint and has his arm in the air in celebration. He has poor knowledge and really just annoys everyone. Without wishing to be too disparaging to Mr. Kirby, I dont have Eurosport or the ability to watch cycling live, so I have to make do with highlights. 2023 Eurosport, a Warner Bros. All the news from the site and beyond as we start a new week, Thomas De Gendt bosses Volta a Catalunya opener and solos into 3-minute overall lead. Stay tuned! Discovery company. They only received compensation a couple of years later. Info-wise, being on-site is amazing.. Carlton Kirby Kirby is the most marmite commentator there is. A close study of the final 20 kilometres follows, picking out key hazardslike pinch points, street furniture and likely attack points, before the repeating the study in the car alongside King Kelly as the pair make their way to the commentary point at the stage finish. It is just crazy the amount of automotive stuff on the go, whether that is cars or motorcycles, that are getting too close to the riders, too often. Can you at least extend our premium subscriptions so we can play all races, until you fix the issue? Its a case of trying to keep everybody amused. Hence, talking on something is difficult without matter. Well then I propose a CN forum audio livestream for the tour de france. Plus security bikes, plus rolling paramedics. Hosted by Duncan Steer Carlton Kirby's Cycling Lock-In Radio Days Events Sports NOV 24, 2021 London live show preview! Story Time with Carlton Kirby: Mankini's and mechanicals | "The pictures were all over the news. Eurosport's voice of cycling Carlton Kirby analyses the collision between Peter Sagan and Mark Cavendish that ended the Tour de France for both men. The youngsters were congratulated by the force on Twitter, as they helped chase down a thief who had stolen over 300 worth of goods. Seriously. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Hosted by Duncan Steer. Kirby has more than two decades as a commentatorbehind him and, alongside Irish legend Sean Kelly, has been back at the Tour de France this year calling the action from Utrecht through to Paris. Colnago is using social media to tease the arrival of its new E64 Performance, which well go out on a limb and guess is the companys attempt to tap into the rapidly growing e-bike market. And we have managed to cover his view on it. It is a free-for-all. -"Looks like shit. He threw the toys out of the pram because his head is scrambled by these defeats. Eurosport's Carlton Kirby. Don't miss a moment from Paris-Roubaix and Unbound Gravel, to the Giro dItalia, Tour de France, Vuelta a Espaa, and everything in between when you Tech in brief: new gear from Shimano, Park Tool, Wahoo and more Tech in brief: new gear from Shimano, Park Tool, Wahoo, Tortec and more Vitus launch three bikes for cyclo-cross season. This latest incident proves exactly that. You don't need to be that close to the riders to get snaps. And then, you hang a look at anyone who is there to find out if theyre going to listen to you. Carlton learnt his trade as a commentator in Motorsport and Speedway while the holy trinity of Phil Ligget (ITV), David 'Duffers' Duffield (Eurosport) and Hugh Porter (BBC) had all the cycling tied up between them. This year alone, we had a Sky rider getting his elbow clipped by a security vehicle when he went for a gap when none existed. The Vuelta a Espana used to be the worst of the Grand Tours because theyd have transitions day of 250km across a desert. The races are only on GCN/Eurosport. It easy to forget that before this tour Mark Cavendish, the greatest of all great sprinters, had never beaten Marcel Kittel in a head-to-head. While cycling commentator Carlton Kirby and his teammates would normally head across the channel for the Tour de France, the recent situation suggests he will be covering the 2020 edition from the Eurosport studios in London. Carlton Kirby: What inspired Chris Froome's golden era Eurosport's voice of cycling Carlton Kirby analyses Chris Froome's performance in winning a fourth Tour de France. Cavendish swept to his second win at the Tour of Turkey with another . He further says, "In tennis, you never talk through a point because the crowd doesn't. Controversial! I don't think much does get through to him, I really wish it did. 1/9/22 4.2km to go, Stage 12 Vuelta a Espana: the riders are going uphill.Kirby: as they get to this step, but it doesnt last long, its like your mums old step, give it a polish, give it a clean and then a clean pair of heels to everybody else. And I said: Because I asked him! I asked him at breakfast, because when youre on-site, you can talk to the riders. Eurosport's lead cycling commentator Carlton Kirby presents a weekly guide to everything that's NOT happening in the sport this year, with stories and reflections from his 25 years in the gantry. Tao Geoghegan Hart (@taogeoghegan) March 25, 2019. It is all clearly not set in stone at the moment, and I hope that I'm not going to have some sharp intake of breath moments on commentary just because bikes are needlessly endangering the lives of cyclists. I don't have anything against him personally, but he doesn't seem to get the basics of the sport. Quite brilliant and gutsy from Tom. Theyd often stop too Euskaltel-Euskadi were one of the most common for that, theyd roll to the front, let everyone know it wasnt an attack and then ride up the road to briefly chat to family! #cycling @carltonkirby whatsonreading.com Carlton Kirby True Tales of the Tour de France | What's On Reading Carlton Kirby: 'Joo Almeida, who won't worry anyone in the General Classification'. I'm not sure if they have forgotten about the rule, or if it was always just advisory. "Commentating on cycling is not like snooker or tennis," says Carlton Kirby, principal commentator for Eurosport's cycling coverage, who has worked in the sport since 1996. Its Kirbys cheat sheetfor every stage in the race, with details of the top finishers, jersey wearers, men in the breakaway and so on. Mark is already the greatest sprinter there has ever been. Theyre the best stages, and the most exciting ones, but often as a commentator the days you take the most pride in are actually the ones where absolutely sod all has happened! Went for a bike ride earlier today. I usually increase the pace especially on a sprint day to match the peloton, Kirby admits. That is exactly what has happened now. Its the art of illusion. The very aspect of commentating that requires filling the gaps spanning hours of no action is the reason. They will tell you, Yes, so-and-so is looking really mentally fatigued, or, they are saying, Hes getting very aggressive in the peloton and weve had a word with the team, that is all great information. We met a young boy and young girl who recently lost their mum, and its really sad when you see that side of it. ), there is a thread in the. As you say, he doesn't shout unnecessarily either. Fully agree Kirby is the most irritable commentator ever. Before Kirby hits the airwaves, he touchesbase with Eurosport HQ in Paris,and then its time to take to the microphone. There are several fan forums that constantly try to have him removed from Eurosport and even made a Carlton Kirby petition their demands on the grounds of inane chatter, terrible jokes, and unnecessary screaming. In their eyes, he is one of the worst cycling commentators. But it was here he developed the ability to call a sprint. March 2, 2022 . Thomas De Gendt launched a solo attack from the break with 60 kilometres remaining of todays opening stage of the Volta a Catalunya, covering 163 kilometres and starting and finishing in Calella and the Lotto-Soudal rider now finds himself with a lead of almost three minutes on his rivals. How much longer do the cycling public have to suffer the idiotic commentary from Carlton Kirby ?? Kittel did win stage four, but then Cavendish beat him again on stage six. The best thing you can do is relax, in my opinion, Kirby explains about going live on air. There are people who love what I do, and others who hate it, he admits. Help us to make it better. At other broadcasters you still have cue points, but its usually after youve finished making a point [because youre the only commentary team]. but the bike was nowhere to be found!" Eurosport commentator. But, being in the studio means there is a considerable loss of interaction. Driver escapes punishment for alleged hit-and-run on cyclist, as victim blasts police inaction and barriers to justice. Carlton Kirby: 'Yates is the heart and mind of this breakaway group'. They kept the suspect in view and assisted us in the footchase before he was caught and arrested pic.twitter.com/QcQg7PBcsn, Wednesfield Police (@WednesfieldWMP) March 24, 2019. Most races have one unit but the Tour de France has four double-decker units. It was almost featureless and the riders would not engage in it at all. Some people take offence for the strangest reasons. It is amusing that explaining this is futile, he remarks. It is not so bad if they are in front because the rider can tell the motorbike to go away, but if it is trailing the rider and the rider comes off, there is always the possibility of impact. Shouldnt be that hard to organise with so many people here able to talk eloquently and intelligently for 4 hours. There are many great cycling commentators around at the moment, Im afraid Kirby isnt one of them. Ive gotten drunk on the Galibier and been evacuated off the Galibier. Carlton Kirby brings his True Tales of the Tour de France to Reading on Weds June 21, a little over a week before #TDF2023 , as he launches his new @BloomsburySport book, Sticky Bottle . AndKirby wouldnt have it any other way, even if there are those who dont always appreciate what goes into calling a Tour de France stage. Nobody but nobody doesnt sprint for 5th at the end of a Monument. You also have picture breakdowns, sometimes audio breakdowns so weve got all that going on and we havent even got on to the racing yet!. We have a quiet conversation about who is going to win today. One example of his commentary, from 11/3/21 Tirreno-Adriatico: Carlton Kirby: 'Yates is the heart and mind of this breakaway group'. Kirby laughs. The rest is very monotonous and quite naturally the onus of filling that gap falls on the commentator. He is thinking of five wins, and is finally allowing himself to believe he is going to reach the all-time record of the Belgian all-rounder Eddy Merckx's record for stage wins of 34. Whenever I watch an anglophone stream online because there is no other way for me to watch a race I have to think of the HIMYM episode where Barney goes to get Robin from Canada and, looking at the "funny" Canadian dollars, says: "It's like you want us to make fun of you". or maybe you,re a relative ?? Its the press guys we see more, because of the mechanics of the day. It is all kinds of stuff. Well ride that sympathy and see how far it takes us up the beach. But saves my life" German governments helmet advert sparks sexism row, Bristol taxi driver who cut up cyclist and braked in front of him has licence revoked (+ video), Porn Pedallers to carry on riding despite being stripped of British Cycling affiliation, in: Car crashes into building - please post your Local news stories, in: Has cycling become F1? They race ahead, dismount to get the tracking shots they need of the riders. To cycling fans, Carlton Kirby's voice has become synonymous with the sport, having become an integral part of British Eurosport's race coverage. why must us cyclists have to tolerate a commentator who has no knowledge of professional cycling. You must invest in an alarm upgrade to BT Redcare. Astonishingly though, a single stage of the Tour de France lasts for about more than six hours. VN:Whats it like calling a race from back home at the studio? I often moan about Kirby myself, but I don't. He has been commentating on the Tour de France since 2009, and his deep knowledge of the race and the riders makes him one of the most respected commentators in the sport. @DeGendtThomas, guanyador de la primera etapa de la #VoltaCatalunya 2019. Best known for his work on Eurosport, his voice has also appeared on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Motors TV, Cycling TV, Speed Channel USA, ABC Australia, SABC South Africa, Canal Plus France, Canal France International and more. COME ON WRITE TO EUROSPORT AND LETS GET HIM OFF ! You cant please everybody and as a commentator thats something you have to get to grips with. Get the latest race news, results, commentary, and tech, delivered to your inbox. Eurosport's Carlton Kirby and cycling legend Sean Kelly reacted like the viewers at home - at first incredibly concerned, then mightily relieved. The road curved, but it was nothing to concern one's self with. I've just discovered, after following a tweet that Orla Chennaoui had re-tweeted, that the esteemed Mr Kirby has blocked me on Twitter. Kirby continues to put his notes togetheronce hearrives at the commentary booth, reading the local press andKellys grasp of colloquial French coming into its own. It just stays online forever. Kelly will probably kill him by the end. I have been speaking to (former cyclist and Eurosport expert) Sean Kelly about it at various races, and we have both had hold your breath moments. . Kittel was completely shocked, and has been getting more and more upset as this Tour has gone on. He is now only four short. To my mind, the motorcycles are the most dangerous because they have the least ability to stop. To show no fear is the best skill of all. 2.4K views, 20 likes, 3 loves, 5 comments, 3 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Eurosport: "The pictures were all over the news. Especially on the downhill runs which is a crazy situation. According to the Telegraph, cyclists and joggers could be targeted as part ofa new Government initiative to work out who is leaving waste behind in countryside. CK:I think not many people will notice. Where is the central body that has its own rules of discipline and rules of engagement that respect distance protocol and passing protocol under the race director? Page 6 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community. Over 3,200 worth of amazing prizes from Pacenti Cycle Design and Saint Piran, including some stunning carbon wheels! Kirby has however found his own distinctive and unique style which has brilliantly worked for him all these years. You can sound like youre a genius, with an incredible memory, Kirby says. Every stage of the Tour de France LIVE on British Eurosport HD. Cycling is a sport where there are no time limits and there are no constant action-packed sequences to speak about. 26/8/22: Stage 6 of the Vuelta, Kirby informs us (clearly based on nothing) that Mark Padun is 'a master' at descending in the wet (at that precise moment, Padun is descending very gingerly, taking pretty poor lines). Essentially, there needs to be some sort of schooling or protocol coming from the International Cycling Union that has a proficiency test for these guys. But, Kirby has to do that, without fail. You have engineers popping in and out, you have guests from the different languages, and the only thing separating us from the Germans, on our left, and the French, on our right, are thin sound walls its completely open at the back, he says. Proper all rounder. Kittel threw his arms up in the air, and lost not only first place, but second, third and fourth..winding up in fifth because of his complaints. All of this stuff adds to the vrit of the broadcast, and its stuff you cannot get in a studio in London. I talk about the same stuff, except Im making it up. Yep I always watch the ITV coverage if possible - even if that means missing the stage live and watching the highlights package (like the vuelta). Punching the handlebars is the almost universal sign of frustration at losing. It is amusing that explaining this is futile, he remarks. Riders have lost their ability to race, says LeMond, Nacer Bouhanni handed penalty, fined for shove. Wow, all this over a commentator, so Kirby sees a Quickstep rider and mistakes it for Voeckler - that's funny, it's engaging! I like him. Theres an awful lot of distractions to keep on top of, so if you happen to be looking at your notes when somebody has a moment and you dont see it, its not your fault., Kirby laughs. You have to say who they are, where they are on the road, what colour theyre in and call the tactics and often all within 30-45 seconds of sheer hell and manic action. They basically work on the principle that people watching cycling in english are only interested in english speaking riders. Among an awful lot of distractions, as Carlton Kirby explains, commentating on cycling is an arduous process. I can get caught out, particularly if theres a crash in the last three kilometres, because that can animate the tempo even more and I have to keep something in reserve for the sprint finish. You take yourself to the studio, call up your procyclingstats.com, do your research online. I like Kelly just out of respect more than anything. He's ruining the sport I love - I avoid many races purely because he's the commentator. During a sprint stage, every turn is important, and sometimes Ill walk the final approach with [commentator] Sean Kelly, and there will be no need to even take notes, because hell just say, Oh, this will be shit. You can read an off-camber turn when youre standing on it, and see the attack points when youre going up and down a mountain.