Professional Cycling - Any Americans in it this year?

I havent been following much. With out an American or a scandal, it just doesnt get much interest in the U.S.

You must be new to this, grasshopper.

You must be new to this, grasshopper. It's actually true that mainstream America still doesn't appear to care much about cycling, especially if you compare it to the crazy European fans.

However, the crowds at the recent Tour of California were absolutely amazing! :D

Not to detract from Versus, but it would be nice to see some genuine French coverage -- just to see how the locals cover it.

Yes, there are. Hincapie and Leipheimer for two. Also Horner, Rodriguez, Vandevelde and Zabriskie.

http://www.letour.fr/2007/TDF/LIVE/us/500/classement/index.html

Not to detract from Versus, but it would be nice to see some genuine French coverage -- just to see how the locals cover it.


I hate to say, but the French coverage is actually terrible. It always has been.

From the 60's and 70's with that fat toad, Leon Zitrone shouting in his mike "Vive Merckx" over and over -- so bad its become famous. To Robert Chapatte on Antenne 2 (now France 2) and his lamentable comments during the most exciting finish in 1989. If you can understand French go to YouTube and check it out. Really bad.

Whenever I go to France and tune in to listen to the coverage on the radio or on TV, they never talk about drafting, team strategy, non french riders -- no!, just about where's the next French guy in the race, over and over and over.... It almost makes you nostalgic for Phil and Paul -- even during at their most sycophantic with Lance -- because at least they know something about cycling and are interested in riders not just based on their nationality....

1. know what they're talking about, and 2. don't dumb it down.

Yeah, the Vs. "enhanced" coverage with bob roll is anything but. If you can ride further than the end of your driveway, him, trautwig, and that Hunter prick are going to sound like a bunch of tools.

Phil and Paul know their stuff, but they get a little too excited sometimes. Id dont fault them for getting a name wrong once in a while since they only get the same feed we see.

Not to detract from Versus, but it would be nice to see some genuine French coverage -- just to see how the locals cover it.


I've watched on French TV several times. It's about the same as Versus. It's the same video feed, except the graphics are french (i.e tete le course, and poussivants instead of leader and chase.)

Substitute drival about Moreau for irrelveant mentions of David Millar an Levi Leipheimer and you've basically got it.

What's good about the French coverage is the Velo Club after each stage, which is kinda like an NFL Football Post Game show after each stage.

I havent been following much. With out an American or a scandal, it just doesnt get much interest in the U.S.

yeah, those druggie bike riders suck. You'll have to watch NFL or baseball instead.:rolleyes:

Yeah, the Vs. "enhanced" coverage with bob roll is anything but. If you can ride further than the end of your driveway, him, trautwig, and that Hunter prick are going to sound like a bunch of tools.

You don't like Bobke commentating the Tour *day* France?:rolleyes:

By the way, how is it that no one corrects this idiot? Even clueless Al gets that bit right.

And ferchrissakes can someone please tie Bob's hands behind his back!

Bob is not an idiot. He has a purpose for saying tour day france whether it be right or wrong.

Al = useless
Paul= good
Phil = good, but I think he is losing his memory or something
Bob= Knows cycling a little crude, but entertaining

Richard

^^^^
pretty much sums it up

You don't like Bobke commentating the Tour *day* France?:rolleyes:

By the way, how is it that no one corrects this idiot? Even clueless Al gets that bit right.

And ferchrissakes can someone please tie Bob's hands behind his back!

Bob is the kind of guy that should not drive and talk on a cell phone at the same time, if ya know what I mean.

No love for Bobke? That ain't right! :o



Bob is the kind of guy that should not drive and talk on a cell phone at the same time, if ya know what I mean. Hahahaha. For sure! :)

"I havent been following much. With out an American or a scandal, it just doesnt get much interest in the U.S."

bloody yanks.

Bob Roll certainly knows more than he lets on, but he plays into Troutwig's dumb questions and is painfully american-biased. Why do they consider Phil and Paul's coverage inadequate and go the the trouble of recording a second broadcast over the same feed?

if they just had them all do the same broadcast, i think i could handle that.

I've watched on French TV several times. It's about the same as Versus. It's the same video feed, except the graphics are french (i.e tete le course, and poussivants instead of leader and chase.)

Substitute drival about Moreau for irrelveant mentions of David Millar an Levi Leipheimer and you've basically got it.

What's good about the French coverage is the Velo Club after each stage, which is kinda like an NFL Football Post Game show after each stage.


I was just wondering why they dont do something like that at night, a resume of the stage qith the important stuff, 30 mins or so then do comments, a round table with opinions, questions and stuff, even bring old amercian riders for interviews dunno something to get people into it

Bob Roll certainly knows more than he lets on, but he plays into Troutwig's dumb questions and is painfully american-biased. Why do they consider Phil and Paul's coverage inadequate and go the the trouble of recording a second broadcast over the same feed?

if they just had them all do the same broadcast, i think i could handle that.

Maybe v's feels the need to dumb it down for primetime.

After listening to Paul and Phil, listening to Al and Bob is just torture. I'm an American, not an idiot.

Bob is more bearable if you're not actually watching those hands flying around (close your eyes, you'll see what I mean). But Al - this is like listening to Barbara Walters discuss line play in a football game.

I really enjoy listening to Phil and Paul and how excited they get. They're excellent announcers IMO. The American announcers simply don't give the same feel. They might as well be announcing baseball or something. Phil and Paul add "flavor" to the race.

When compared to other sports announcers from different sports, these guys aint that bad. Absolute worse I remember was Joe Namath and OJ Simpson together on a Monday Night Football telecast in the late 1980's. They were both great players though.

I was just wondering why they dont do something like that at night, a resume of the stage qith the important stuff, 30 mins or so then do comments, a round table with opinions, questions and stuff, even bring old amercian riders for interviews dunno something to get people into it

with everybody using DVR's it would make a lot more sense than just repeating the race. I would imagine it would be harder and more costly to produce, which is probably why they don't do it.

It seems like the coverage is scaled back a bit this year. Less people in the field (wheres that girl who used to be on?) and less time spent on analysis, no guests yet.

at least the best part,Phil and Paul's banter, is still there.
Andreu is getting some good interviews with the riders too.

yeah, those druggie bike riders suck. You'll have to watch NFL or baseball instead.:rolleyes:

As much as I love pedaling my Madone, the fact remains:

ESPN does not have a direct link on their main page this year for the tour. You have to go under "MORE +" to find the tour coverage.

Get Levi up in the running, and that will change.

And yes, I will watch a fotball game over a bike race on TV any day.

(Usually like to watch football on Sundays right after my morning ride.):D