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Time for SBS to bring an Australian flavour to its Tour de France commentary

Roar Rookie
8th July, 2016
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The Tour went uphill for Stage 18. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Roar Rookie
8th July, 2016
17
2370 Reads

Sport evokes emotion, passion and excitement among fans.

Part of this comes from the zest, intensity and enthusiasm of the commentators to draw the viewers in and compelling them to keep watching.

There are many examples where sports commentators are known as the voice of the sport. Murray Walker in Formula One, Martin Tyler in football and Ray Warren in rugby league and swimming are some examples.

Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen are two commentators that are known as the voice of cycling or at least the voice of Le Tour de France.

Liggett and Sherwen have been gracing our TV screens for years. According to the NBC Sports website, Liggett has been reporting on the Tour de France for 41 years. While for Sherwen, 2016 marks the 38th time that he has been in charge of the microphone over the three weeks.

There is a whole generation of cycling fans in Australia that only knows them.

Cyclingtips.com states that Liggett and Sherwen are part of the NBC Sports network to provide commentary for their audience. After an exclusive period ends, Liggett and Sherwen provide commentary for other international networks like SBS.

As part of its 2016 telecast, SBS have added Robbie McEwen and Matthew Keenan to commentate from the moment footage begins to the 50 km mark. Liggett and Sherwen take over from the last 50 kms.

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Unfortunately both commentators are getting older and the numbers of commentary errors are increasing each year. Liggett was also very vocal about WADA and USADA pursuit of Armstrong as being a waste of money. Something that may have tarnished his image.

It is difficult to retire from a high profile sport.

Ex-Formula Onecommentator, Murray Walker, after a half a century in the commentary box, said in his press conference:

“I woke up one morning recently and thought: ‘That’s it, the time has come’. I don’t actually want to stop but I’ve always said I will do so when I’m still ahead with the viewers, rather than wait until there’s a general belief that I’m past it. I’ve had a fantastic time. But we are all human, we all wear out and I’m not getting any younger.”

All good things come to an end.

I believe that it is time for SBS to cast Liggett and Sherwen adrift.

England’s ITV television network replaced Liggett and Sherwen this year with their own commentary team this.

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SBS would therefore not be the first to cut Liggett and Sherwen.

Matt Keenan and and ex-pro, Robbie McEwen showed during the Giro d’Italia that they are more than capable of filling their shoes.

They bring a fresh and exciting perspective to pro-cycling combining knowledge and racing insights.

It also must be more costly for SBS have Liggett and Sherwen on its roster given they already have Keenan and McEwen in France as part of their team.

It will be difficult for many fans to see Liggett and Sherwen replaced on our screens.

But a quick scroll through different social media channels shows that people want change.

Change is difficult.

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But it is now time for SBS to move with the times, refresh its commentary team and drop Liggett and Sherwen.

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