A piece of the petition has gained over 542 signatures demanding the removal of Carlton Kirby from Eurosports, citing Unnecessary Screaming, Terrible Jokes as one of the biggest downsides. Whilst im not Carltons biggest fan (prefer Backstead w Harmon) I very much doubt I could talk for between 1 and 5 hours without descending into complete nonsense from time to time. Having spent over 25 years in the field, he has seen a lot, as many other countless commentators have seen. Also, I would say many of his criticisms are unfair and/or cruel. I think people will appreciate what were trying to deal with. Thus concentrating becomes a difficult job for a commentator. From the Eurosports studios in London, covering the tour is not the same as waiting at the finish line. I think it is just individual race directors who decide who gets to ride these bikes. Ineos Grenadiers has to try and win the Tour de France, says Steve Cummings, Tour de France: Yates, Groenewegen, Matthews a possible three-pronged approach for BikeExchange, Jumbo-Visma keeps everyone guessing with Tour de France and Giro dItalia leadership question, Former Zwift academy winner Tanja Erath calls time on road career with mental struggles, Garmin Gravel Worlds introduces pro categories and a donation-based prize pool, UCI gravel worlds, a threat or an opportunity? So, what is Scottish Cycling / British Cycling doing about this? Like in any other sports, being a cycling commentator for a broadcast has its own perks & lows. It's their commentators or silence. 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. It is all well having experience, but at some of the smaller races who are the guys riding these bikes? Kirby has however found his own distinctive and unique style which has brilliantly worked for him all these years. 4th in last year's Giro d'Italia. Can you at least extend our premium subscriptions so we can play all races, until you fix the issue? One thing Ive always been able to do is, I believe, see a very wide picture and a lot of different movement, and call those fast and accurately. And within the second group, he sprints hard, coming 13th overall. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. All of that is avoidable if you have the right distance and the right protocol in place. 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. but the bike was nowhere to be found!" The headline does anyway, while the sources in the article cover a few different potential causes. But Kirby is only interested in his own narrative: McEwen told him twice that Herrada had won, but Kirby kept eulogising about Batistella's 'win', even as Herrada celebrated further coming past the camera. Help us to make it better. And if you ever thought the job of the commentator was easy, think again, with the ability to multi-task a key skill for anyone working in live television. The current situation has made things difficult, where previously they would head over to the channel to cover Tour De France, now they sit in their studios and practice social distancing and looking at monitors. Kittel did win stage four, but then Cavendish beat him again on stage six. Kirby laughs. To my mind, the motorcycles are the most dangerous because they have the least ability to stop. Being a commentator is all about improvisation and Kirby knows this quite well considering his huge range of experience. 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? How do you call one of the biggest sporting events on the planet? "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. https://yahoo.uservoice.com/forums/1698 ant-drivel, http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85131. 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!. More often than not they slip into commentary which is at best nationalistic, and at worst xenophobic. This is the video I showed Trinity School in Lewisham this morning. That is because like most hacks they are too arrogant to do any research and preparation. He has poor knowledge and really just annoys everyone. There is no discussion or debate, just chatter, articles, and just that. From wrestling with sound walls, coping with dropped audio, working with Sean Kelly and deciphering the Kirby CODEC, we caught up with Kirby midway through the raceto getan insight into life on Tour as a commentator. I like him. 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. Riders have lost their ability to race, says LeMond, Nacer Bouhanni handed penalty, fined for shove. Even my partner, who doesn't watch cycling, could tell who had won. Its quite nice at the Tour de France that we have a roadbook and a history book of everything were going through. 2008present unless otherwise stated. Anyone but dreary Declan Quigley please! You must log in or register to reply here. Its Kirbys cheat sheetfor every stage in the race, with details of the top finishers, jersey wearers, men in the breakaway and so on. Following a two year broadcasting secondment with the United Nations in the South Pacific he joined ITV as TVams overnight Sports Producer and Reporter. Nobody but nobody doesnt sprint for 5th at the end of a Monument. And he wasn't wrong. We had a heated debate about the incident and then the person drove away. For over 20 years, be it the Tour de France, Olympic Games, Monte Carlo Rally or Le Mans 24 Hours, his easy-going manner coupled with incisive commentary and a dramatic edge has made him an audience favourite. Page 6 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community. Yates was obviously cooked - why else would anyone work for dozens of kilometres and then give up in the final 2km? You have your usual office equipment, coffee machine, and sandwich machine. Driver escapes punishment for alleged hit-and-run on cyclist, as victim blasts police inaction and barriers to justice. She got hit by a car and thats someones mum, not just a cyclist. I don't know the guy but I wish in netherlands we would do it with mart smeets, danny nelissen and herbert dijkstra, who are complete idiots. Theres no doubt about it, the most difficult thing to do is cover nothing, he says. Ill be making notes when Sean Kellys driving, which can be a difficult thing! While he admits Sagan's explusion for. You can also sometimes find your hotel is one or two hours away. Commentating on cycling is not like snooker or tennis, says Carlton Kirby, a principal commentator for Eurosports cycling coverage, who has worked in the sport since 1996. 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. After moving to 30 Tour de France stage wins with four rousing victories that has shattered Marcel Kittel on this year's Tour, Eurosport's voice of cycling Carlton Kirby tells Desmond Kane why he . I remember being impressed during the Giro at his ability to identify riders. Yes Harmon is okay and like I said - at least he does his homework on the teams and riders and hangs on every word uttered by Sean Kellyas though he is keen to learn the professional circuit. CK:As a commentator, you dont have a great deal of contact with the riders. 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). And we have managed to cover his view on it. PLEASE CONTACT EUROSPORT/GCN INDIVIDUALLY AS WELL AS SIGNING, BECAUSE THAT WILL PROBABLY HAVE A GREATER EFFECT. Partly, of course, that's his job - but if you give it out, you have to take it. Brentford today angry guy in grey car can't see why he should wait till it's safe to overtake hoots horn, shouts abuse and 100 yards later I'm in front again anyway. Carlton Kirby Kirby is the most marmite commentator there is. Harmon's attitude can best be described as 'wogs begin at Calais'. From dealing with the never-ending frenzy of action, and incessant radio announcements, to having to tackle the director. Even once the race itself is over, and the post-analysis is done, theres a second race to get away from the finish line. His Grand National, Murray Walker shouting in the last 2 kilometres really is unbelievable. You have a sound wall battle, where theyre shoving one way and were shoving the other while trying to sound calm and interesting on the commentary when actually what you want to do is knock someone out! Are you sure? Fantasy Cycling: game [at] road.cc @DeGendtThomas, guanyador de la primera etapa de la #VoltaCatalunya 2019. Yep, thats my pick. Minutes later, Sean Kelly points out that Padun is 'not getting around the corners well not comfortable whatsoever on the descent'. And he has outthought Marcel Kittel here. But not today in the Vuelta or yesterday, and this is the first time I have heard Kirby commentating. It's garnering quite a few sarcastic responses on Twitter Yep, I regularly cycle to MacDonalds, get a load of food, then cycle to the off license, get some beer, and then cycle to a lay by or car park and spread it around the place. Dan's stage guides at the giro a few years ago were great. And then, of course, there are the flat stages and the sprint finishes. Its not something thats learned, or something you can prepare for. Hence, talking on something is difficult without matter. Riders having to get close to a motorbike just to take a corner. Maybe it's because he doesn't ride a bike himself? Carlton Kirby and His Approach On Commenting for GCN and Eurosport This Year: 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. Now it is live pictures going onto blogs, stream TV pictures. Set the scene for us. Commentating during the 2022 Ronde with 222km to go, Kirby says: Aranburu could have finished as high as 5th in Milan-Sanremo, but didnt think it was worth his while so he eased off at the end and came in 13th. I just wish we had Liggett and Kelly doing the Grand Tours. wow, all the power to you man! Star names like Sagan getting knocked off and knocked out of races. It means sometimes were not actually commentating from the finish line because the Tour de France is so huge theres about 8,000 people attached to the Tour. When asked about the criticism, Kirby opined Its not like the written press where you can write something out and finesse it and shave it, I dont have that gift. He kept on saying, Its gone, its irretrievable. That is in fact my main Friday occupation. Me too. The commentary line-up will include regular voices Rob Hatch and Carlton Kirby, who will also joined by cycling legend Sean Kelly at all three major races. I quite like Kirby. he's saving his energy. Thats when it down to you and not the riders.. You can't work commentating on it for as long as he has next to informative ex-pros without some of it getting in through osmosis at the least. why must us cyclists have to tolerate a commentator who has no knowledge of professional cycling. You can get every picture you need from in front of the peloton. There is no editing process, except between the brain and the larynx. I had almost no idea what was going on or who was where. On the last Vuelta a Espaa, Tinkhoff threatened to pull his team out because two of his riders - one of whom is Peter Sagan - were hit by vehicles. It is a thrilling climax and its my job to convey that to the public. His voice tends to wake me up from my nap when something happens. Carlton Kirby discusses the art of commentary, says thank you to those who enjoy listening to him. It is not just the motocycles remember. It was almost featureless and the riders would not engage in it at all. Simon Clarke, who should have won the 2016 Milan-San Remo is just one in a long, long line of things he invents from nowhere and then portrays as facts, banging on about them throughout a season. Conversely, a Carlton Kirby Fan Club exists for those who love the cycling commentator. During a long interview, the legendary veteran commentator of Eurosports shares some of his knowledge about the job. Kirby says he opens the Tours road book (the bible for riders and media alike) first and foremost, having to change all of the notes to match his commentary notes and the on-screen graphics counting down the kilometres, rather than up as the book does. There are some other sports, like cycling, where the commentary has to be complete. Matt Stephens will be Eurosport's dedicated reporter on all Grand Tour coverage, bringing breaking news, updates, and interviews from inside the peloton. Arriving at road.cc in 2017 via 220 Triathlon Magazine, Jack dipped his toe in most jobs on the site and over ateBikeTips before being namedthe new editor of road.cc in 2020, much to his surprise. Harmon LOVES cycling, cycling history, and even riders who don't speak English. (Clarke is a very good rider, but there is nothing to suggest he SHOULD have won the 2016 M-SR. Watch the race.). We caught up with Kirby to learn what is gained for the telecast and what is lost from these two very different broadcasting scenarios. I speak no language other than English. Not much love for Eurosport commentator Carlton Kirby amongst the Team Sky ranks it seems Air pollution: London mother launches petition for second inquest into daughter''s death, Jason Kenny recounts last months near miss on BBC TV, Yoann Offredo's condition described as not life-threatening after GP de Denain crash, Telegraph article suggests "Littering cyclists and joggers could be to blame for countryside rubbish problem", Jeremy Vine's latest unpleasant encounter, 'Youths on pedal cycles' help Wednesfield Police catch thief, Best Cycling Website, BikeBiz Awards 2018, Tao Geoghehan Hart (picture copyright Simon Wilkinson, SWPix.com via Britishcycling.org_.uk), "Looks like shit. I think its just taking a breath and think about the consequences, he concluded. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 2.4K views, 20 likes, 3 loves, 5 comments, 3 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Eurosport: "The pictures were all over the news. Kittel is still the fastest guy out there, but when he turns on the taps there is going to be a point when his maximum capacity starts to diminish. When Kirby explains the difficult process of commentating on cycling, and the concerns he has, one might want to know how much of that impacts him. The commentators day doesnt juststart when the racing does, with research and planning underwayas soon as breakfast is taken. Strade Bianche 2023, March 4, one-day classic (men's & women's), 78th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: February 25, 2023, UAE Tour 2023, February 20-26 (women's race February 9-12), O Gran Camio 2023, Spain, February 23-26, 49th Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta (2.Pro) // February 15th - 19th 2023, Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne 2023 February 26, 196 km (1.Pro). I've decided and bought a '21 Revolt which is nigh on identical in stack and reach to the Defy, only differences being a slacker front end and Well if you ever go to Chesterfield you will be called "youth" however old you are. Those are definitely the days when you earn your corn. He inspires such devotion that he has his own fan club, yet also is on the receiving end of a petition to get him sacked. I am having this problem too. #cycling @carltonkirby whatsonreading.com Carlton Kirby True Tales of the Tour de France | What's On Reading These local mountain bikers tried Athletic Brewing Company's craft beer for the first time, and you'd be surprised by their reactions. And his constant er, er, erms.. all the time were extremely irritating. -"Looks like shit. People were saying track preparation knocks you back for the sprint because it is a different form of physicality that is needed. The rest is very monotonous and quite naturally the onus of filling that gap falls on the commentator. (PS If there's anything here about donating, that's the website host - nothing to do with this petition - there is nothing to donate to. Owned by Warner Bros. Hes done it four times, and I think he might want to do it again on the Champs-lyses. Its a massive operation. Carlton's voice is familiar to fans of Motorsports and Cycling both on British Television and throughout the world. 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". Get the latest race news, results, commentary, and tech, delivered to your inbox. Fully agree Kirby is the most irritable commentator ever. Hence, To be qualified to fill up that huge amount of time is, quite naturally, a daunting job. He clearly thinks he's the star of the show. Ive been up the Galibier. If you're after one, guess that does makethe two grand plus 40 quid a month price tag seem a little fairer A mother from London has launched a petition calling for a second coroner's inquest into the death of her daughter, who passed away at nine years of age in what was originally believed to be an asthma-related case. This is why he often cracks jokes and laughs heartily. Astonishingly though, a single stage of the Tour de France lasts for about more than six hours. All rights reserved. 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. Stay tuned! Controversial! Baseless. The breaks going to go up the road, theyre going to be allowed anything up to 15 minutes of an advantage and everyone else is just having a chat including us., All the other commentators from all the other nations and all their information are in the same room, so you often get people saying: Have you heard this?, with loads of things to share. So poor . You get a sense of the weather a bright morning, going up this morning in a hail storm, and the hailstones are this big. If she wins so does everyone else. How much longer do the cycling public have to suffer the idiotic commentary from Carlton Kirby ?? But it is also true that there isnt a dearth of genuine fans of Kirby who really appreciate his vast knowledge on the field. Absolutely mad. 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. Yates ended up going out the back of the peloton, losing 1.22. Personally I think Harmon and Brian Smith are the best team. 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. I am very sorry but he is just nowhere near the standards of messrs. Liggett, Boulting, Miller and Hatch. This person has obviously just seen red, Ive got right of way, Im going to go, and you might have right of way technically whether you do or dont is often debatable but it doesnt give you the right to smash someone and potentially kill someone, which is what is going to happen if you run someone off their bike. As for the Sky Team Fans member - you wouldnt actually be Mr Kirby would you ???? 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. or maybe you,re a relative ?? He's fine when it's all action but flounders when it's a longer stage. I would rather have the sound off than listen to his pathetic attempts to link words and phrases together rather than comment on the racing (as opposed to being able to identify riders) about which he knows precious little. I have - again - sent this to Eurosport (23/2/23, with 1,871 signatures - and 1,400 people taking the time to comment!). 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! Agreed. At Eurosport, because the producer maynot necessarily be listening to the Englishcommentary, theyll be occasions when I goto Sean and say, so what do you think of Sagan? and hell start mulling it over and responding and then all of a sudden well get a producing lining up a cue pointin his ear, and hell have to switch from his usual, slow voice to speaking very quickly and wrapping up his point in five seconds for no apparent reason to the viewer. And yet, love him or loathe him, Kirbys voice is as intrinsically linked to the Tour de France, for Eurosport viewers at least, as other famous voices across the sporting spectrum. Ive now just watched the end of Milan-Sanremo again: Aranburu wasnt in the first group behind Morhoric, so he literally couldnt have come higher than 10th. Mark Cavendish crossed the line first, and said Kittel came up to slap him in the back. They have produced some merchandise like cycling caps and badges, they get together at Carltons events. Ill ring someone up on-site to talk to them. Well, Kirby says, when its all out action on the road its very easy the problem comes on longtransition stages. The youngsters were congratulated by the force on Twitter, as they helped chase down a thief who had stolen over 300 worth of goods. Coverage includes enhanced production with access to helicopter, on-board and superslomo cameras. ), peppered with the repeated clichs (just see how many times he says 'puppy paws', joining the party or a dozen or so others). Punching the handlebars is the almost universal sign of frustration at losing. The concern of course is how much is this going to take out of him before he begins preparations for the Olympic Games next month? I never say when Im on-site vs. at the race. Following a two year broadcasting secondment with the United Nations in the South Pacific he joined ITV as TVam's overnight Sports Producer and Reporter. join Outside+. Baseless. There are people who love what I do, and others who hate it, he admits. VeloNews: Whats the biggest difference for you when youre commentating on a race from back home, instead of attending the event? That is the way it appears. Shouldnt be that hard to organise with so many people here able to talk eloquently and intelligently for 4 hours. I make notes of the corners, pinch points, danger points, acceleration points, attack points all of those things.. But, Kirby has to do that, without fail. Tel 01225 588855. Live blog: "outrageous claims" - Tao Geoghegan Hart lays into Eurosport commentator Carlton Kirby, cyclists blamed for countryside litter - Twitter responds, Colnago e-bike, Jason Kenny, Jeremy Vine on close-passes, TdY teams, Peloton baby + more. pic.twitter.com/MaRgbFKTet, The Ella Roberta Family Foundation (@rosamund_ElsFdn) March 25, 2019, @emmachamberlain at her soul cycling class. Utterly self-absorbed: he had already decided who'd won. You don't need to be that close to the riders to get snaps. They basically work on the principle that people watching cycling in english are only interested in english speaking riders. When youre on-site, even though youre there, youre still watching a monitor, Kirby says. Brian Smith is very good and I feel for him having to listen to Kirby's dumbfounding comments. Ive done so much and been so many places that I mostly have all of them embedded in my head. 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. Nah, Harmon is clued up. 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. We've asked Colnago for more details but they just shrugged their shoulders in reply. There used to be a 35 metre rule which seems to be flouted these days. And suddenly some feel like a part of the race. To show no fear is the best skill of all. Eurosport's commentator Carlton Kirby has called hundreds of races throughout his career, both on-site and from the studio. Were literally opening up Sean Kellys cranium to learn the nuances of the sport, and he comes out and says which guy is going to go on and win the next day. No ! Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. So many other cycling commentators on Eurosport. It is amusing that explaining this is futile, he remarks. You sit there, its often quite quiet, and you get brought an exotic meal like a guacamole sandwich. Whether they be dusty in the summer or wet in the winter, motorcycles are far too dangerous and get far too close to the bikes. Bridport cycles. I heard him doing weightlifting once. . Valverde gets it very, very wrong!" exclaimed . A mile from home, looked behind me, moved to the centre of the lane, stuck my arm out to turn right, got Editorial, general: info [at] road.cc American racers headed to Italy chime in. He's ruining the sport I love - I avoid many races purely because he's the commentator. And, one can understand the enthusiasm that has kept him going despite the setbacks and even criticism from people. Kittel was completely shocked, and has been getting more and more upset as this Tour has gone on. The Vuelta a Espana used to be the worst of the Grand Tours because theyd have transitions day of 250km across a desert. Advertising, commercial: sales [at] road.cc And it is at that point, Cav comes out of the shadows to mug him at the line. Discovery company. 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. Cookies help us deliver our services. James and Joe catch up with the chosen son of cycling commentary, Carlton Kirby. Some people take offence for the strangest reasons. After my tweet he at least toned that down. ), there is a thread in the Eurosport 'comments and suggestions' forum requesting that he be removed from the roster. For example, I know that Jakob Fuglsangs last name means bird song, which is a nice little thing. I often moan about Kirby myself, but I don't. The races are only on GCN/Eurosport. I tweeted quite a few comments which clearly annoyed him. 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. Eurosport's lead cycling commentator's weekly guide to what's not going on in cycling during the lockdown. When we drive to the finish well usually get on the course, because were badged up to do it, and then make notes. 2023 Eurosport, a Warner Bros. "Commentating on cycling is not like snooker or tennis," Carlton Kirby tells Betway in a recent interview, one of the principal commentators for Eurosport's cycling coverage, who has served in the sport since 1996. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. I comfort myself with the fact that there are people out there who actually hate Terry Wogan. That is exactly what has happened now. Let us know what you think in the comments. They only received compensation a couple of years later. The sights and sounds of the race and the attention of aptitude in an ample pressroom can renounce some valuable chunks for a commentator. The demands of media and multimedia these days make it more of a serious problem. VN:When youre at the race, who are you talking to regularly to get your intel for the broadcast? Well over a 1000 signatories on that petition now. And this sort of meaningless, demented jabber is not at all unusual I could have chosen many examples just from today. Cycling is a sport where there are no time limits and there are no constant action-packed sequences to speak about. It is irretrievable. All rights reserved. I do love the sport because its a crescendo sport. 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. Kirby tells us that Batistella is punching his handlebars in celebration. Carlton Kirby: 'Joo Almeida, who won't worry anyone in the General Classification'. And then, you hang a look at anyone who is there to find out if theyre going to listen to you. The Tour forces us to have dinner. 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. Thats one of the vagrancies of Eurosport.. I'm not sure if they have forgotten about the rule, or if it was always just advisory. It is a free-for-all. And to be honest, most of us are scared of losing Carlton Kirkby in case Ant McCrossan takes his place.
carlton kirby leaves eurosport
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