I prefer Liggett and Sherwin, but I love Roll. I'm sort of indifferent on Trautwig. I worked 3rd shift during the Tour, so as soon as I'd get home, I'd turn on the TV and watch the tour then go to bed. So I missed most of Bobke anyway. Kirsten Gum isn't THAT much of a dimbulb, it's just one of the prerequisites to be hired by a network if you're female, be perky, smile and have good bone structure. The people I REALLY despised were those effin' Cutters! They not only reinforced every bad stereotype about "Ugly Americans", it was an insult to my intelligence, maybe even to yours :D
I'd like it if Bob Roll and Lewis Black,( from The Daily Show,) had their own show. They'd end up knocking each other out with the hand gestures!

Bob Roll is a ******-bag. I guess he has cred, but I just wanna look at some T/A when I hear my sports-CNN style!

Lol. "Newbie" is right. Nice try troll.

She may be hot but what did she know about cycling?

She invented gel seats.

She invented wind trainers.

She invented the SAG wagon.

She once interviewed Joop Zoetemilk.

She once tricycled her way across Rhode Island.

But most of all, she was nice to look at between the cycling bookends of Bob Roll and Phil Liggett.

I'm not suggesting anyone listen to her. Hey, if the broadcast was on the radio, she wouldn't be relevant at all!

How good was he when he raced in the TDF? His hand's gesture on OLN is so f****ing annoying. His commentator is also annoying but no where close to his hands.

Magic Johnson quits NBA and become the best analyst on TNT, Bob Roll is just so suck.


Bob Roll ROCKS ! I really enjoyed his latest book. Lots of insider stuff about the peloton. Extra points for his post road, mountain bike career. :beer:

She invented gel seats.

She invented wind trainers.

She invented the SAG wagon.

She once interviewed Joop Zoetemilk.

She once tricycled her way across Rhode Island.

But most of all, she was nice to look at between the cycling bookends of Bob Roll and Phil Liggett.

I'm not suggesting anyone listen to her. Hey, if the broadcast was on the radio, she wouldn't be relevant at all!
As long as this thread's being resurrected, is all that stuff true?

Bob is great! Personally, I'm thinking of joining the Bobke Fan Club :D

Is there such a thing? I would surely join. It is rare when a commentator can bring such vast knowledge to a relatively ignorant audience without sounding condescending. I like his irreverence and his humor. I am definitely a fan.

I read someplace that Bob Roll helped LA figure out stuff and get him back on track, after cancer, over a week of riding.. The book also said that Lance was very close to calling it quits at that time and something during that week was THE turning point of his career..

I like Bob...

I read someplace that Bob Roll helped LA figure out stuff and get him back on track, after cancer, over a week of riding.. The book also said that Lance was very close to callign it quite at that time and something during that week was THE turning point of his career..

I like Bob...

Yep, I doubt many people know Lance better than Bob does.

As long as this thread's being resurrected, is all that stuff true?

I think the last bit is.

I read someplace that Bob Roll helped LA figure out stuff and get him back on track, after cancer, over a week of riding.. The book also said that Lance was very close to calling it quits at that time and something during that week was THE turning point of his career..

I like Bob...

I believe you are correct. I read both of Lance's books, and if I recall correctly, he mentions Bob Roll being one of his primary motivators during his recovery from cancer. Another feather in Bob Roll's cap !

Bob Roll got into racing in the late '70's/early '80's. I started racing earlier but at an older age. The way we found out about racing was through La Gazzetta dela Sport, Le Monde, and British mags (usually 2-3 weeks old)...and through an American Original, "Competitive Cycling" that featured articles by Pig Pen, Sunset Slim, and the Bike Barb. The editor given the task of overseeing this crew of slightly off-camber writers/racers was Jim McFadden. The writing was definitely irreverent toward the riders, officials, governing bodies, district reps, referees, coaches, etc. It became normal behavior to find the funny aspects of racing...it was much more pleasurable to write about someone drafting a parked car, or a mechanic running to replace his rider's front wheel IN A CRITERIUM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH THE PELOTON COMING AROUND THE CORNER, or of a district representative telling the riders at the start line of a road race in rural California that they had to put tape over the labels on their jerseys, shorts, shoes, etc. according to the USCF rules. When he was asked Why? he replied that the people watching the race would be moved to select the products because of the free advertising the labels provided. He ignored the comment that the only people watrching the race in this area were the relatives of the racers. He also gave no instructions about taping over the labels on the bicycles. A number of racers simply wore their shorts inside out.
So in this environment, Bob Roll developed his unique perspective.
He was a tough and gritty rider. I remember being in a race with him as a Cat 3 in the Santa Cruz Criterium that featured a sharp righthand turn on very bumpy roads. Bob crashed 3 times and got back up and rode back into the race. The last time he crashed, I swear he landed on his face. I thought that was it for him...but he got up, regained the peloton, rode to the front and got 5th place.
Like him or hate him, Bob Roll is authentic. And given the choice between listening to a sports report that sounds like the weather report, and listening to Bob, I'll take Bob.

How many times have YOU ridden the Tour? 'Nuf said.
exactly

I read someplace that Bob Roll helped LA figure out stuff and get him back on track, after cancer, over a week of riding.. The book also said that Lance was very close to calling it quits at that time and something during that week was THE turning point of his career..

I like Bob...
I agree. He was with Armstrong when few people thought Armstrong would ever be a "somebody" again. That shows dedication to his sport, as well as foresight. His commentary is infected with his down-to-earth respect for cycling. He also breaks the stereotype that roadies are Europhile snobs.

Bottom line is Bob Roll RODE the tour. 10's of thousands dream of it and will never come close to even making the roster of a 3rd rate pro team. Go watch the best N.American pro races. How many have done a TDF? Very very few. Count how many riders are under contract to a particular team, then see how many don't make the team's final cut. How many want to? All of them.

Bob was awsome. He was one of the few American riding in Euorpe at the time with 7-11. He was as much a character back then as he is now. I have nothing but repect for him and the other guys on the old 7-11 team. Had their poster on the wall for the longest time. Anyone who can finish the TDF is unquestionably better than any of us on this forum, and better than the vast majority of folks who have ever been on two wheels.

Taking the 'low road' during Paris-Roubaix, many years ago:

http://www.sdbc.org/photos/albums/userpics/10002/normal_bob%20roll%20roubaix.jpg

Bobke has a posse, and don't you forget it! :beer:

This article says he was there 4 times:
link (http://www.durangotelegraph.com/03-12-25/second1.htm)

The article said he rode the Tour in 88. Looking up one year sin't that hard, and he did not ride that year. But writers have missed on much easier things to check, like how many times some riders have won races or who and how old the oldest rider to win the TDF is.

Bob Roll is a great commentator. At least he's been there and knows what he's talking about. Some of the bone heads they've had on wouldn't know a top tube from a down tube from a chainstay. Bob is funny, witty, and knowledgeable!

What's a chainstay?

I listened to a Ron Keifel interview a while back. It was hysterical when the subject of Bobke came up. RK said you could always tell where Bob was by the big hole in the peleton...guys would give him a wide berth, he'd be weaving along reciting poetry to himself (out loud).

I died when RK talked about Bobke riding up to Fignon during a race...

"Hey Larry, how's it hanging?"

"Uh (long pause).. fine Bob. And you?"

Guy's the genuine article.

I listened to a Ron Keifel interview a while back. It was hysterical when the subject of Bobke came up. RK said you could always tell where Bob was by the big hole in the peleton...guys would give him a wide berth, he'd be weaving along reciting poetry to himself (out loud).

I died when RK talked about Bobke riding up to Fignon during a race...

"Hey Larry, how's it hanging?"

"Uh (long pause).. fine Bob. And you?"

Guy's the genuine article.

LOL...I wish I had heard that interview...i would have died...Larry?!?!? that kills me!

Bottom line is Bob Roll RODE the tour. 10's of thousands dream of it and will never come close to even making the roster of a 3rd rate pro team. Go watch the best N.American pro races. How many have done a TDF? Very very few. Count how many riders are under contract to a particular team, then see how many don't make the team's final cut. How many want to? All of them.

Bob's finest moment as a pro (IMHO) was completing the infamous Gavia stage in the Giro when a blizzard decimated the field. Came in hypothermic and collapsed. That's how tough he was.

Bobke rules.

Bob Roll provided knowledgeable insights and some much needed comic relief on OLN's TdF coverage. Yes, the hand gestures were a bit excessive but he's still better than Trautwig and the dork/Gordon Freeman wannabe (glasses, goatee, and the stupid, astounded look at the camera during the sausage factory visit). :eek: :rolleyes:

HOWEVER, Bobke on that trainer commercial (body double) was TRULY NAUSEATING! :crash:

How good was Bob Roll?

You'd have to ask his wife.......

I think they said he was in TdF 4 times?

That's the tour DAY france. After 4 times, he could have at least picked up how to pronounce it.

That's the tour DAY france. After 4 times, he could have at least picked up how to pronounce it.

He knows how.

That's the tour DAY france. After 4 times, he could have at least picked up how to pronounce it.

Ummmmm, did you even read the previous posts in this thread? This has been explained on at least 2 seperate occasions in here.

Ummmmm, did you even read the previous posts in this thread? This has been explained on at least 2 seperate occasions in here.

In fact, no, I have a life, ...try it sometime.

Then don't post your useless crap. How can you post if you don't read?

Hi, Bob was actually the top finisher for the first american sponsored team in the tour "day" france, 1986. Which was also the first TDF won by an American.... Greg Lemond.
HOW GOOD? He also won the Tour de Romandi, just edging out some of the worlds top racers.

and yeah he writes a damn funny book(s) and keeps the TV commentary colorful.

Bob sucks. He's a xenophobe, and a third rate mind.. at best. He's also one of those people who "believe" that Floyd is innocent....though not because they have any vested short-term interest in the sport, oh no :D

Bob Roll was damned good. See answers.com/topic/bob-roll for the complete record. Blaireau has no idea of what he is talking about.

Bob sucks. He's a xenophobe, and a third rate mind.. at best. He's also one of those people who "believe" that Floyd is innocent....though not because they have any vested short-term interest in the sport, oh no :D

Xenophobe? Roll's spent a lot of time in Europe obviously, and has a number of European friends. I'm not sure where the xenophobia impression comes from. On OLN, he's obviously very much a booster of the US RIders, but he's broadcasting to an American audience.

In Bobbke, he has a lot of positivie things to say about Europe, and racing in Europe. The negative things, I think reflect how hard it is to be a European pro bicycle racer, and how hard it was particularly in 1986.

3rd Rate Mind? I'll grant that Bobbke is not great literature, but its definitely a fun read, at least a second rate mind. And Roll's analysis of racing is a lot better than the beloved Phil Ligget.

And as a bike racer, he obviously was no star, but a heck of a gutty dometique.

If you don't like Bob you probably don't even like your own children

3rd Rate Mind? I'll grant that Bobbke is not great literature, but its definitely a fun read, at least a second rate mind

That was funny :)
Ok, ok, I agree he's a second rate mind :D

About the xenophobe comment: i guess I should have said xenephobic And immature. I heard him say on tv that he mispronounces TdF (you know, his trademark Tour DAY France) ever since a French waiter ignored him one day in a restaurant.... He sees it as a revenge on the French, lol....So, heck! I take it back, he is a third rate mind :D

Decent domestique on a not very strong 7-Eleven team in mid 80s.

If you don't like Bob you probably don't even like your own children

I've yet to meet anyone who dislikes Bob and has children. :D

Who's Bob Roll ???

I've got to disagree with you on Bob. Bob's comments come from being there. He was a fantastic rider. I remember seeing him at a mountain bike race in Colorado and the guy was just ripped. He was in incredible shape. He had some good results. Not only that but he took everything with a grain of salt. He always seemed to be having fun! You should read his books. I'll bet you'd like them.

I liked the OLN TDF coverage better when it was just Bob, Phil and Paul. The rest of em are just "filler".

Ditto.
Bob was a great racer, and did the business here in the states.
He also knew how to suffer and did that with the best of them.
He da mahn, like Paul and Phil.
Moe, Larry, Curly of cycling - Wuub Wuub Wuub !
Best sport commentators from any sport

His achilles heel? Hez a bit too 'disco' for my taste
but then disco has been there in most races I've watched on OLN/VS.
and I can live with that...

Hi, Bob was actually the top finisher for the first american sponsored team in the tour "day" france, 1986. Which was also the first TDF won by an American.... Greg Lemond.
HOW GOOD? He also won the Tour de Romandi, just edging out some of the worlds top racers.

and yeah he writes a damn funny book(s) and keeps the TV commentary colorful.

He never even finished on the podium of the Tour of Romandi. He won stage 3 of the 1988 Tour of Romandie, big difference.

The next 4 riders in order were:

Stephan Joho
Teun Van Vliet
Andres Kappes
Rolf Sorensen

I could only find career results for Kappes and Sorensen. Sorensen is by far the class of this group:

Rolf Sorensen was born on April 20, 1965.
The Danish rider won two of the five monuments in cycling, stood on the podium of the Olympic Road Race, and won another one-day classic.

Sorensen won the Liege-Bastogne-Liege Classic in 1993.

He also won the Tour of Flanders Classic in 1997.

Sorensen was 2nd in the 1996 Olympic Road Race behind Pascal Richard of Switzerland.

He also won the Paris- Tours Classic in 1990.

I'm not sure I'd call him one of the best European riders and he and perhaps Kappes may well have been doing all the work hoping for a good G.C.

I think he's all right. Certainly not as insightful as Phil or Paul, but more "entertaining." I like the blend they have. The odd man out is clearly Trautwig, who is about as clever as an ocelot with a lobotomy. I suppose we overfed, undereducated North Americans really like his brand of commentary. :rolleyes:

He never even finished on the podium of the Tour of Romandi. He won stage 3 of the 1988 Tour of Romandie, big difference.

The next 4 riders in order were:

Stephan Joho
Teun Van Vliet
Andres Kappes
Rolf Sorensen

I could only find career results for Kappes and Sorensen. Sorensen is by far the class of this group:

Rolf Sorensen was born on April 20, 1965.
The Danish rider won two of the five monuments in cycling, stood on the podium of the Olympic Road Race, and won another one-day classic.

Sorensen won the Liege-Bastogne-Liege Classic in 1993.

He also won the Tour of Flanders Classic in 1997.

Sorensen was 2nd in the 1996 Olympic Road Race behind Pascal Richard of Switzerland.

He also won the Paris- Tours Classic in 1990.

I'm not sure I'd call him one of the best European riders and he and perhaps Kappes may well have been doing all the work hoping for a good G.C.

Kappes was a top six day rider and a sprinter, not a climber. He won a Het Volk. IIRC he won a Giro stage one year.

Joho was a handy rider and won a Giro stage in '88, among other results. Rode for Ariostea.

Teun Van Vliet was a really class act but had to retire early for some reason. Injury or illness. In his first season he podiumed in the Tour of Lombardy. He won Het Volk and Gent-Wevelgem in 1987 when with the Panasonic team. He also led the Tour one year for a number of stages.

Sorensen, Van Vliet, Joho and Kappes all have better palmares than Bob Roll.

Kappes was a top six day rider and a sprinter, not a climber. He won a Het Volk. IIRC he won a Giro stage one year.

Joho was a handy rider and won a Giro stage in '88, among other results. Rode for Ariostea.

Teun Van Vliet was a really class act but had to retire early for some reason. Injury or illness. In his first season he podiumed in the Tour of Lombardy. He won Het Volk and Gent-Wevelgem in 1987 when with the Panasonic team. He also led the Tour one year for a number of stages.

Sorensen, Van Vliet, Joho and Kappes all have better palmares than Bob Roll.

Joho's stage was stage 3. That is also the year Kappes won a stage in the Giro, stage 7. (Hey with a starting point I can looks stuff up pretty well). Also turns out that Joho has several Tour of Romandie stage wins.

Yes I do agree that all these riders have better palmares than Roll.

Joho's stage was stage 3. That is also the year Kappes won a stage in the Giro, stage 7. (Hey with a starting point I can looks stuff up pretty well). Also turns out that Joho has several Tour of Romandie stage wins.

Yes I do agree that all these riders have better palmares than Roll.

This is a good website for results Keith, though I have to say it does not include a full complement of results. http://www.dewielersite.net/

Decent domestique on a not very strong 7-Eleven team in mid 80s.He was a fantastic domestique when called upon. Climbing the Gavia Pass stage in the 88 Giro to bring cold weather gear to Hampsten after retiring to the back of the peleton thinking his work was done for the day was a superhuman feat. He went from the back almost to the front breakaway in the snow on a gravel road in a blizzard. Not like 7-11 won one of the most, if not the most brutal Giro in the history of the race or anything.

He was colorful and the other riders loved him because he could relieve the grind of a long stage.

I just got back from an evening with Bobke at a local bike store. The guy was an incredible speaker. No holds, balls out commentary about cycling. That was a fun hour and a half.

Decent domestique on a not very strong 7-Eleven team in mid 80s.

You mean the 7-Eleven team that won the Tour of Switzerland and the Giro d'Italia?

I can't recommend his book enough Bobke II. If you want an insiders look at professional cycling. The book will leave you in stiches. He is one funny writer. Get it at Amazon.

I can't recommend his book enough Bobke II. If you want an insiders look at professional cycling. The book will leave you in stiches. He is one funny writer. Get it at Amazon.


His first book (Bobke), is just as good, only harder to find. I think it may be out of print at the moment. I found mine on E-bay. Proud member of the Bob Roll posse ! :beer:

His first book (Bobke), is just as good, only harder to find. I think it may be out of print at the moment. I found mine on E-bay. Proud member of the Bob Roll posse ! :beer:

Bobke II contains the first book, plus some additional material. So other than collector value ( Amazingly Bobke actually goes for more than face value used) Bobke II is a much better value.

Bobke Rules!