Cycling

What was your favorite Tour de France to commentate?

Unforgettable Tour de France: Greg LeMond's Epic 1989 Comeback Victory

Hey, you know my favorite Tour de France to come and say well it's been 49 of them. So far. Number 50, this year. I believe it's something of a record for an English-speaking journalist, but looking forward to it. It's it's a no-brainer actually, it was 1989. Greg, lemond versus Long Feng Yong, Greg was coming back from that. Arenda shooting accident when his brother-in-law and he were hunting wild turkeys in America. The bush moved brother-in-law shot in the bush, but it wasn't a turkey in. There. It was Greg lemond and he put 200 pellets into Greg and Greg almost died helicopter. Flying overhead actually going to a road traffic accident at the make a decision. The guy who just been shot or the road crash. Unfortunately, for Greg the helicopter landed and took in the hospital you didn't. He would have been dead. Apparently if it had taken 20 minutes longer. So that's how that's the background. So Greg having mr. Two tours, 80. 7. + 88 comes back and and decides he's going to have a crack at the Tour de France again Long Haul back from a wheelchair back to a bike to winning his comeback Tour de France, but that wasn't the only reason it was the race. Don't think Ian had won the Tour twice in the 83. 84 was also really on top form. They went head-to-head from day one. They threw around the yellow Jersey to between each other than Finney. And finally got his hands on it. Then Greg wanna stage long and Wellness. Stage. They're becoming down towards the last weekend. It looked as though opinion was going to win this tour in Paris the race finished in Paris, and it's never had a time trial finishing stage since because that finishing perishing, 89 between Versailles, the palace and the champs-elysees was epic. 24 km Greg. Second last to start finish on the last man to start the gap between them and enormous. 50 seconds. It's only 24K. I open the Program, which I recorded the opening program and I was interviewing. I was talking to Porsha and my fairly new Co commentator at the time and itself a next or Ryder and I said to Paul well who's going to win the tall Paul? He looked back at the camera and say, well, it's got to be long fin. Ian, 50 seconds is is too much to closing 24 km and lawns in the yellow is a Frenchman and he lives in Paris. It's got everything on his side. I look back at the camera and said, Well, I think Gregor mom's going to win and I think he'll win by six seconds. Stop the camera. That was that tape was satellited to London to the TV station for bolting on the front of the live show, which was some five hours away. We have a coffee in Paris as we're driving to Paris. I remember, Paul saying, what did you say that? For? I said, Paul, of course, vignerons going to win, but we do want the viewers to turn off, do we? So and I'll tell you what, if Greg lemond wins, it won't be by very much and so it went to prove on the day. We Paul had. It worked out the gain of Finland, or the loss of finger on the gain of every kilometer of Greg, lemond was just over a second and km and he was doing it and we were building it for the public. The next Say, by the way, I told Paul show and he's only been with me for three years. As a commentator. I said Paul, you want my advice resign because you'll never commentators good as that again, and we left I was on the way home next day on the boat across the channel to the UK. And of course Greg lemond finished on the champs-elysees. Fell at my feet jumping with joy with his wife, Kathy as well as screaming and then Fenian comes in Finnegan's time expired that he needs. Need to win the Tour. De France, about 200 meters before the finish of the line. Imagine this after three weeks of racing. He got within 200 meters of winning the tour. Finian crashed through the crowd, fell on the floor,lying, on the floor, like a fetus killed up. And and I felt really sorry for him. But the thing is, I was commentating in live and I just said, well, I can't believe this but Greg lemond has just won the Tour De France by eight seconds.

In 1989, Greg LeMond won the Tour de France by 8 seconds over Long Haul, who nearly won it himself by getting within 200 meters of the finish line. It was a remarkable comeback for LeMond after his previous shooting accident and is remembered as one of the greatest races in the history of the Tour de France.

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My favorite Tour de France to commentate was in 1989. It was an unforgettable race between Greg LeMond and Laurent Fignon. Greg had made a remarkable comeback after a hunting accident that almost took his life. He went from a wheelchair to winning his comeback Tour de France.

Throughout the race, Greg and Laurent battled for the yellow jersey, exchanging it between each other. As they approached the final weekend, it seemed like Laurent would win the Tour in Paris. The race finished in Paris, and the last stage was a time trial from Versailles to the Champs-Élysées.

Greg started second to last, with a significant time gap of 50 seconds between him and Laurent. It was a 24-kilometer time trial, and many believed it would be impossible for Greg to close the gap. During the opening program, I interviewed my co-commentator, Paul Sherwen, and we discussed who would win. Paul favored Laurent due to the time gap and the fact that he was a Frenchman living in Paris. However, I had a feeling Greg would win, and I predicted he would do so by six seconds.

As the race unfolded, Greg gradually closed the gap, gaining over a second on Laurent for every kilometer. We built up the excitement for the viewers, and when Greg crossed the finish line on the Champs-Élysées, he fell at my feet in joy, with his wife Kathy by his side. It was an incredible moment.

Unfortunately, Laurent had a heartbreaking finish. Just 200 meters before the finish line, he crashed into the crowd, falling to the ground in a fetal position. It was a devastating end for him, considering he had come so close to winning the Tour.

In the end, Greg LeMond won the Tour de France by a mere eight seconds. It was an exhilarating race to commentate, and the outcome was beyond thrilling.

Who are three living people (non-family), that you would invite to a special dinner?

Queen, McCartney, Attenborough: An Epic Dinner Gathering

Well, the first one would be Queen, Elizabeth the second. I'm a great royalist. I love the royal family, but she's been such a representative of the Windsor house for so many years. A record-breaking number of years on the phone since the 50s till today. She's now heading up towards 100 years old and she's magnificent. She sees the world exactly as it is and she would be devastated right now. I'm sure at the way the world appears to be going at this moment in time. Now let the queen. I was very proud when I met her in 2005, when she gave me an award. And and I just didn't know what to say, but I was told if she asked you a question, give a short answer. And so she said to me this cycling is getting very popular Now, isn't it? And I said, yes, ma'am, it is. And then the coup was get off which I, of course. I did Shockley, but Ash, wonderful lady and I love her to bits. She's not going to accept my invitation. Now. Let's be honest. Craig, her. She's not going to come and eat him my house, but she's a great person, two men. Also, I've got great admiration for Paul McCartney. I saw Paul when he was originally playing in the cavern, under the name of The Quarrymen and became the Beatles. My father said, in his words, those bugs are never be a success. But of course, as we all know, they became the greatest band, The World's ever known. And I remember Paul at the 2012 Olympic Games in Stadium in the velodrome in London, suddenly stand up between racing and started singing. Hey, Jude within seconds. He had all of the Riders doing it in the track Center and the crowds around the stadium. That man was a magic leader of men with his music and still is the other man has to be sedated. Attenborough. He's the one man I said on Australian television, a few years ago, at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, actually, when I was, You there? I said, yes. The one man, I admire most is so David, Attenborough, and the world must not allow him to die. Those my words at the time and they still apply. He sees the world. Exactly the state it's in and where it's going. If we don't alter Direction very, very quickly. Now, he still makes terrific films and he's into his mid 90s and he's such a shining example of humanity around this world. So, Every bit of the way, so David, Attenborough topped, my poll followed by the queen and Paul.

My three people I admire the most are Queen Elizabeth II, Paul McCartney, and David Attenborough. Queen Elizabeth has been a representation of the Windsor house for many years, Paul McCartney was part of the greatest band The World’s ever known (The Beatles), and David Attenborough is a shining example of humanity who sees the world exactly as it is.

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If I were to invite three living people (non-family) to a special dinner, my first choice would be Queen Elizabeth II. As a great royalist, I admire her representation of the Windsor house for so many years. With a record-breaking reign since the 1950s, she is a magnificent figure who sees the world as it truly is. Meeting her in 2005 was a proud moment for me, and I cherish the memory.

Next, I would invite Paul McCartney. From his early days as part of The Quarrymen to becoming a member of The Beatles, he has left an indelible mark on the music industry. I witnessed his magic firsthand during the 2012 Olympic Games when he spontaneously started singing Hey Jude in the velodrome, captivating everyone present. His leadership through music is truly remarkable.

Lastly, I would extend an invitation to Sir David Attenborough. I have immense admiration for him and once expressed on Australian television that the world must not allow him to pass away. His deep understanding of the state of our planet and where it is heading is invaluable. Even in his mid-90s, he continues to create impactful films and serves as a shining example of humanity.

While I understand that these individuals may not actually accept my invitation, they are people I greatly admire and respect.

What's your best Paul Sherwen story? I realize it must be hard to narrow it down to just one after decades of working together…

Paul Sherwen's Unforgettable African Safari Adventure

Christiaan Van de Velde. What's my best? Poor showing story? I realize it must be hard. You say to narrow it down to just one. Yeah. Well, how about 10 million and then we'll get started? My goodness. Me, the, the, anybody that's met Porsha and certainly, as most of us, know, we passed away in December. 2018. I worked with him for 33 years, alongside me. I brought him into the business. We became siamese twins for sure. But Paul was always after me and also growing what's in the great cycling photographer, who tied? It retired a couple years ago. He wanted us both to go on Safari in the cache. As you know, Africa is in my blood. It's certainly important blood because he lived in Uganda who spoke the local languages and and that's what he was settling down. And so he wanted to show his, I'm in the north east of South Africa which is full of lions and leopards and stuff. And he says, That's not Africa made, you got to go to real Africa and that's Uganda or Kenya. It's okay. We give up Graham and I decided we take our or opposites and we go and have a holiday with Paul and his wife and his mother-in-law. And so he got his Range Rover vehicles, sorted out, everything going great. Plotted a fabulous trip stains with the most amazing lodges. Okay. We're having a great time. Then we were somewhere south of the Ethiopian border, think it was and it absolutely poured down with rain, entering the samburu National Park. And rain was turning a desert into a flood pan. It was that heavy and Paul suddenly goes we got a flat tire. I said, Paul. This is the only a really heavy shower, give you five minutes and we're all out there. He says we need to do it. Now. I said, why do we do it? Now? This is when his mother-in-law who has sat in the front seat setting pole. She came from the southern states of the USA. Paul. This is when you realize that your friends are really, you're paying guests. I think you're by yourself. I said, I think she's right. Paul. If you wait five minutes. It will already he says you'll all be sitting on one side and a moment when I jack the car up and he had a huge Jack and we were at 45 degrees to the ground. Paul change the tire with his shirt off. The ring was quite warm. And, and he got back in job, done tire change. And it was still raining seconds later. It wasn't raining. See, Paula Told You. So, you're a man of Africa. Look at that can't even wait for the rain to stop. The only good thing about the flat tire was, we were delayed. And We moved on. And when we came around the next Corner, about half a mile away, there was a cheater with two Cubs on the road, enjoying a now drying conditions, and watching this, oryx teaser andorians, have these like one meter high Longhorns, and is twisting his luck. And in the end she charged him and got rid of him and left us with the two kids. So we had a wonderful sighting of cheater. But Paul. Well, as he made me laugh From Dawn till Dusk Everyday of my time with him. I better stop now. Nice and speak to Christian.

Paul, a friend of mine who passed away in December 2018, wanted me to go on a Safari with him in Africa. We eventually did and while driving through the Samburu National Park, we got a flat tire. Paul insisted on changing the tire right away, despite the heavy rain. We were delayed and when we moved around the corner, we had a wonderful sighting of a cheetah with two cubs. This moment made me laugh from dawn till dusk, every single day I had with Paul.

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One of my favorite Paul Sherwen stories? Oh, it's hard to choose just one after working together for decades. But let me share this memorable moment. Paul, as many of you know, sadly passed away in December 2018. We had worked side by side for 33 years, and he was like a siamese twin to me.

Paul always had a dream of going on a safari in Africa, particularly in Uganda or Kenya. He wanted to show me the real Africa. So, we decided to go on a holiday together, along with our wives and his mother-in-law. We planned a fantastic trip, visiting incredible lodges and exploring the beauty of Africa.

However, during our journey, we encountered heavy rain near the Ethiopian border, turning the desert into a flood pan. Paul suddenly claimed we had a flat tire and insisted on changing it immediately. I tried to convince him to wait for the rain to stop, but his mother-in-law, who hailed from the southern states of the USA, supported his decision. It was then that I realized that as his friends, we were actually his paying guests.

So, there we were, in pouring rain, with Paul changing the tire while shirtless, claiming that the rain would stop in seconds. Of course, he was wrong, and we were all soaked. The only silver lining was that the delay caused by the flat tire led us to witness a cheetah with her cubs just around the corner. It was a remarkable sighting.

Paul had a way of making me laugh from dawn till dusk every day. I could share countless stories, but this one always brings a smile to my face. He was a true character, and I miss him dearly.

Helmet Straps or Glasses: A Matter of Personal Preference

How about this is a bit out of my ballpark. I think glasses over the helmet or under the straps. I really don't know the answer to matter of preference. I would think funny enough. I don't wear glasses when I ride, I never have a problem. Sometimes I were clear glasses, but I certainly never were dark lashes for me. They just don't work and I would wear them over the straps because they're easy to snatch off. If you want to unstick them in the top of the helmet. That was a pretty easy question. Ian and I don't know the answer. Really. It's purely a matter of choice.

Glasses can be worn over the helmet straps or under them, but it's purely a matter of preference.

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Regarding whether glasses should be worn over or under helmet straps, I must admit that this is not my area of expertise. It seems to be a matter of personal preference. Personally, I don't wear glasses when I ride, so I don't encounter this issue. However, if I were to wear glasses, I would probably wear them over the straps for easy removal if needed. But again, this is purely a matter of choice, and I don't have a definitive answer.

Who are your top three athletes of all time, in any sport?

Legendary Athletes: Eddy Merckx, Mark Allen, Usain Bolt

Hi Eduardo on this very dank miserable day. Just outside of London with the cold and the rain, having had a hurricane yesterday, knocked all the trees down and the power is still out at my other house. Not very far away from where I am. Having said, all that. Now, what are my top three athletes of all time in any sport? Well, I've got to stay close to home of course, and I've always said it. I believe I said, he's on answering these questions to the A cyclist who ever lived unquestionably was Eddy merckx. This man was totally brilliant in everything. He did. He would look at the cyclist. He would invite them to go with him. He will point to the road where he will attack on the next lap. Go, if you can with him, it was just virtually unbeatable. He rode 1500 professional races and he won five hundred and twenty five of them. I once interviewed a Dutch cyclists at an event in Holland and I said, hey Lord, who is going to win today? And he says, well, if Eddy merckx wants to win, we only race for second, and that's how much clout Eddie had. We're also very good friends now, and as Eddie, well knows, he's the one man. I could never beat in his last year as an amateur and prompted. My decision not to turn professional because I couldn't get near. The other athletes a little bit easier. I used to love reporting on Triathlon, where Mark Allen was in charge of the racing, which he saw often was, who have most interesting character to The Quiet Man, put him in the run and he kill you after the bike ride. He could close a nine or ten minute Gap as he did on one occasion in a way to win the World. Triathlon Championship their the Ironman title. I also remember Mark I I think I'm right in saying he won the nice Triathlon 10 straight years and I did a few of those for CBS television. It was a great pleasure to meet Mark Allen for the first time for goodness. Knows 30 years at the college Cup in Slovakia last August and it was like, turning the clock back. He looked exactly the same and it was pretty emotional wronged, but in marks time, of course, there were some formidable, Ironman athletes in no particular order Scott Tinley. Only Dave Scott Mike Pig Jurgen Zachary. What? At one stage held the record for the bike course. Terrific. Try did any cyclist purely and simply would have been proud to have recorded such a Time. Nevermind dad on the swim and the run and still manage the time. So it was a great period for Triathlon and for working on it as well. And the third one. Well, you know, there are two types of great athletes. There are characters and there are record Breakers either way for me there. Are worth remembering as great characters to. So it's Usain Bolt? And of course, he's not just a great character. He is was the best in the world. The fastest, man, so they are my three and I'll stick with us. Hope you going well, Edward.

My top three athletes of all time in any sport are Eddy Merckx, Mark Allen and Usain Bolt. They have all achieved greatness and left an indelible mark on the world of sports.

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My top three athletes of all time in any sport are Eddy Merckx, Mark Allen, and Usain Bolt.

Eddy Merckx, the legendary cyclist, was unbeatable in his prime. He won an incredible 525 out of 1500 professional races and was known for his dominance and strategic brilliance on the road.

Mark Allen, a triathlon champion, stood out as a fascinating character in the sport. He had a quiet demeanor but was a force to be reckoned with, especially in the run portion of the race. His ability to close significant gaps and win races, including the Ironman title, was impressive.

Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, not only had incredible speed but also had a charismatic personality. He set numerous world records and was a true standout in the sport of sprinting.

These three athletes, each in their respective sports, left a lasting impact and are worth remembering for their achievements and unique qualities.

The Surprising Joy of Winning

Hello, Ronald. Well for me, it's love to win rather than hate to lose. Because if I did win, it was a pretty big surprise for me. So it was a great feeling. Hate to lose, no. Had to be accepted I'm afraid.

I love to win rather than hate to lose because it's a great feeling when I do.

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Hello, Ronald. Personally, I lean more towards loving to win rather than hating to lose. Winning brings a sense of accomplishment and joy, especially when it comes as a pleasant surprise. On the other hand, I don't harbor a strong aversion to losing. I believe it's important to accept losses as part of the journey and an opportunity for growth.

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Phil Liggett is "The Voice of Cycling" and an integral part of NBC Sports Group's coverage. He has covered 8 Summer and 4 Winter Olympics, and 44 years of Tour de France. He has been Emmy-nominated and is an int'l commentator for SBS. He has written for Cycling Magazine, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, and The Observer. Liggett was also the youngest International Cycling Commissaire at 30. In 2005, he was awarded the M.B.E. for his contribution to cycling.