|
Each game has a separate time limit. A football match generally lasts for 90 minutes, a rugby match lasts 80, and a basketball game just for 48 minutes.
For a commentator, restoring time is hard already, but the nature of the sport makes the job even harder. A giant part of the commenting process takes place at the outset and the end of the day. In between the attacks, the breakaways, and the finales, commentators frequently have hours to recharge and little action with which to energize them. “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. He further says, “In tennis, you never talk through a point because the crowd doesn't. In certain sports, you have to respect the action, and then you comment on it. That makes for a really easy job, as far as I'm concerned." And also, “There are some other sports, like cycling, where the commentary has to be complete. There are no gaps - you might shut up for five seconds or so to listen to the crowd, but that's it", he mentioned. How Does The Process work? Commentating for hours to the end is hard enough, but commentators also have to handle directors in their ear, constant radio declarations, and an uproar of other actions around them. “Quite often you are talking while being handed a note, being spoken to by the director, and listening to race radio at the same time as well,” confesses Kirby. “There’s 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 don't see it, it's not your fault.” Kirby laughs by saying, “But try explaining that to Cycling Weekly and their letters column.” It would only take you an immediate Google search to understand what Kirby is referring to here. There are fan forums phoning for his disposal from Eurosport, and even a petition has been requested the same, referring to ‘inane chatter’, ‘terrible jokes’, and ‘unnecessary screaming.’ Good thing is, there are still plenty of fans who admire Kirby for his knowledge and excitement on the mic. However, the advancement of social media, people expressing their opinion also implies that criticism is never too far away, but Kirby is at ease with it. “It's not like the written press where you can write something out and finesse it and shave it,” tells Kirby. “I don't have that gift. Once I've said something, a couple of hours later it's hitting Saturn. It's gone, it's irretrievable. “There is no editing process, except between the brain and the larynx. Once it's out there you're done, so you'll just have to forgive me if I make the odd gaffe.” His Present Activity: While Kirby and his teammates would 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. Being in France would be preferable, but, unlike other sports, the suitability of cycling commentary doesn’t alter too much when doing so remotely. “When you're on-site, even though you're there, you're still watching a monitor,” Kirby says. “You're at the finish line, essentially watching the TV - albeit with extra screens.” That doesn’t signify his job has not become a whole lot harder. The sights and sounds of the race and the attention of aptitude in an ample pressroom can renounce some useful chunks for a commentator. “Being on-site gives you an awful lot of extra material,” he explains. “Especially on a long transition stage, that material is going to be gold. “If it's one of those days where it's going to end in a sprint and you need to cover 240km, then it's gonna be a bit of a drag. The break's going to go up the road, they're going to be allowed anything up to 15 minutes of an advantage and everyone else is just having a chat - including us.” “When you're on-site, you get up in the morning, you feel the atmosphere, you get the buzz. Breakfast is all about what was said off-camera, picking each other’s brains." “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. Info-wise, being on-site is amazing.” So, encyclopedic proficiency and behind-the-scenes chatter are two crucial elements for commentating on the sport of cycling, and on Grand Tours specifically. Nonetheless, one other thing that Kirby believes, sets the very best apart is commitment. There will, of course, be people who disagree, it is not something that Kirby minds. Over the years, he has found a style that certainly works for him and, after 25 years on the mic, many others to come.
2 Comments
Vulpine specialise in cycling clothing that performs well on the bike, but also looks stylish off the bike. I had the opportunity to review some of their products. This blog reviews the merino Polo and Henley tops.
 A closer look at the Polo's collar Unpacking the tops and you are met with simply lovely items of clothing- flawless cut, stitching and design. The feel of the merino is soft and luxurious. When I tried them on I was delighted with the fit. They look great on, the sizing is perfect and flattering.  Me wearing Vulpine's Polo  Both the Polo and the Henley feature this handy rear pocket. It has lovely detailing with the "V" monogram How do they perform when cycling? What you need with cycling tops is for them not to feel too tight or too lose when your body is moving about as you pedal. Both of these tops excelled on this front. The fact that I didn't notice them, they didn't enter my thoughts when I cycled was a great sign that they did their job well.  A closer look at the Henley The merino material is designed to keep you cool when it is warm and keep you warm in colder conditions. I tested both tops on very warm days- above 25 degrees centigrade- and I felt comfortable. The breathable material wicks the sweat away from the body, so I never felt sweaty and uncomfortable. It also meant that there was no odour from the clothing rendering them serviceable for a day at the office or meeting friends for drinks.
The tops do not look like cycling clothing and this is what makes them so versatile for wearing on and off the bike. I have often worn them on days when I have not been cycling as their smart casual appearance makes them ideal for lots of different occasions. I have been testing these out for about a month and have loved wearing them. They look good, they feel good and they have the technical features that you need for cycling. Both the Polo Shirt and the Henley are priced at £80. It is good value when you consider that they can be worn both for cycling and non-cycling occasions. They have the technical features that a cyclist needs and the quality means long lasting clothing. I have also reviewed a pair of Vulpine's socks and if you need a bit more convincing about this type of cycling clothing read on... Why do you need special cycling clothes? It's one of those hotly debated subjects among the cycling community. One argument is that you should just wear your normal clothes when cycling. The problem with that is that not all normal clothes perform well when cycling longer distances or are any good when the weather turns nasty. Jeans, for example, do not give you the freedom of movement that you need when pedaling. If it rains jeans get heavy and wet, and that's a nightmare if you are on a bike for any length of time. The other argument is that you should wear things like lycra and high visibility yellow jackets for freedom of movement, safety and performance in bad weather. The problem with these clothes is that it means you look like 'a cyclist' and its probably not the look you want for the office or meeting friends for lunch. Vulpine offers clothing that is the best of both worlds- stylish (i.e. looks like normal clothes) and also performs the technical function of cycling clothing. Think, being able to go from bike to work or bike to meeting friends for drinks and not having to change clothes or worry that your clothes shout 'cycling geek.' Visit Vulpine's website to check out their range. Vulpine specialise in cycling clothing that performs well on the bike, but also looks stylish off the bike. I had the opportunity to review some of their products. This blog reviews the mid merino polka dot socks. Cycling socks need to keep you cool in hot weather or warm in colder weather. You are not going to get that from cotton socks bought from a normal clothing store, but Vulpine's sock is made from merino wool, a material well-known for its superior qualities. I tried the red polka dot socks. They look great and I would definitely be happy to wear them in the office or anywhere off the bike.
 They feel nice and soft when wearing them. I tried them out on three very warm days- averaging 25 degrees centigrade- and they definitely kept me cool. Even though my feet were sweating the socks have a wicking action that pulls moisture off the skin and out of the sock.
The other amazing thing about these socks is the odour resistance of merino wool. I decided to really put this to the test and wore the socks for one week without washing them! This included the three very warm days mentioned above. And they smell of nothing other than wool. Perhaps a bit musty by the end of the week, but not of smelly feet, which you would get from cotton socks. That's great news for cycle commuters who do not want to have to change their socks when they get to the office. I tried these during the summer, so have not yet been able to test their winter performance, but I have had used merino socks from other stockists in colder weather and know that the material is excellent at keeping feet warm. These socks are currently priced at £15. It's good value when you consider their technical qualities, stylish looks, that they are made to work in both cold and hot weather and that they will likely last for years because of the quality of the material. I will be reviewing more of Vulpine's products, so look out for my next blog. If you need a bit more convincing about cycling specific clothing read on... Why do you need special cycling clothes? It's one of those hotly debated subjects among the cycling community. One argument is that you should just wear your normal clothes when cycling. The problem with that is that not all normal clothes perform well when cycling longer distances or are any good when the weather turns nasty. Jeans, for example, do not give you the freedom of movement that you need when pedaling. If it rains jeans get heavy and wet, and that's a nightmare if you are on a bike for any length of time. The other argument is that you should wear things like lycra and high visibility yellow jackets for freedom of movement, safety and performance in bad weather. The problem with these clothes is that it means you look like 'a cyclist' and its probably not the look you want for the office or meeting friends for lunch. Vulpine offers clothing that is the best of both worlds- stylish (i.e. looks like normal clothes) and also performs the technical function of cycling clothing. Think, being able to go from bike to work or bike to meeting friends for drinks and not having to change clothes or worry that your clothes shout 'cycling geek.' Visit Vulpine's website to check out their range. |
