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Phil Liggett missing SBS commentary of Tour de France

"Paul and I are absolutely devastated," says legendary commentator after changes to Tour de France for SBS.

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Legendary cycling commentator Phil Liggett is “absolutely devastated” he is no longer doing full commentary of the Tour de France for SBS.

Australians Matthew Keenan and Robbie McEwen now fronting the SBS coverage, with Liggett and Paul Sherwen making “guest appearances.”

Liggett and Sherwen were told of the change in March. While Liggett is rapt for the Australians, he makes it clear it was a decision by Tour organisers ASO.

The change has led to a massive response from cycling fans on Facebook, with many upset about Liggett’s absence for the first time since 1991.

“Paul and I are absolutely devastated that we’re no longer doing the blow-by-blow commentary for SBS,” Liggett told AAP.

“I am always blown away by our Australian fans, they’ve been absolutely fantastic and I’ve received some lovely messages since the news became public.”

Liggett is a regular visitor to Australia, most recently earlier in June for a week-long series of speaking engagements. The British pair will continue to commentate for NBC.

SBS coverage begins tonight at 10:30pm.

Source: AAP / SBS, West Australian

7 Responses

  1. Keenan,s over florid style makes me turn the sound off.
    Can not stomach his ” attention to detail ” – just flapping his gums with too much info about irrelevant subjects.
    Can not understand why Liggett and Sherwen were sidelined .
    Absolute disgrace.

  2. Matt Keenan has really improved over the last 12-18 months (not unexpected as “practice makes perfect”). More importantly for me, I have enjoyed his and Robbie McEwan’s coverage of more recent races finding them both informative and entertaining.

    However, I will miss the now iconic commentary of Phil and Paul, despite (or perhaps because of) their occasional mis-identification of riders and Paul’s insistence that something definitely will or won’t happen and then the opposite does. I also enjoy their good-natured needling of each other’s accomplishments or lack thereof.

    It’s a shame that they’ve been pushed out. Would have been nice to perhaps have them commentate the final hour of each stage and then switch back back to Matt and Robbie for a wrap instead of Tomalaris and Vogels who add little of value.

  6. Fantastic news. Liggett has gotta be one of the worst cycling commentators around. Maybe he was good once, but the sport’s moved on while he hasn’t.

    It was always a shame when the excellent commentary from Keenan and McEwan ended and switched to Liggett and Sherwan for the last part of each stage. And it never really made sense why either. Australian (and informed) commentary for an Australian audience should take priority – especially when the Australian commentators are more capable than the alternative…

    1. I totally disagree. Keenan and McEwen’s commentary is totally boring whereas Ligget & Sherwen are the voices of cycling. I really miss their dulcet tones and informed and sometimes humorous commentary. Shame on you SBS.

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