BBC to broadcast world championships road races & time trials - schedule

Wooliferkins wrote:

Nothing ageist in the comment at all. Ageist would be, "We need someone younger than X because X has passed a certain age."
That someone can no longer do their job to the standard they used/ that is required to is a valid reason to replace that person.
Hugh has a future as a pundit but the increasing errors in his live commentary say, that sadly, he's not up to the job anymore.
He's always made Murray Walker type errors, that we loved, and quickly self corrected but they are increasing and becoming blatant mistakes not slips of the tongue.

Totally agree. Bear in mind cycling enjoying a huge surge in popularity and viewing figures for these events. Porter can totally confuse even seasoned cycling fans never mind newcomers to the sport. Having said that there's not many commentators who've won at the Commonwealth Games and rode the ToB so he does know more than most about the sport - albeit from experiences decades ago. A backward step by ITV nevertheless.

Another point. Why do riders not have a race number somewhere on the front of their person/bike. Probably tradition and aerodynamics but with all these daft ventless helmets currently in fashion, could numbers not be stuck on them? It would certainly help commentators identify riders in a head-on sprint shot (with the exception of David Harmon who seems to recognise riders by their form alone).

timothy wrote:

Ageist comments, your tern will come. Given some of the commentary on other channels he does quite well.

Nothing about his age on my part, I just think he's never been a good commentator. He's on the same level as P&P....all mouth, no knowledge about what they are speaking about.

Hugh Porter, No Knowledge? You Sir, are talking rubbish.

VeloPeo wrote:

Porter got dropped by the BBC

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/9906092/BBCs-disser...

Yeah, he's popped up on the Tour of Britain coverage (ITV). I know some don't like them, but I'd much prefer Carlton Kirby, Phill Ligget, paul Sherwen etc.

arrieredupeleton wrote:

Good to see that renowned cyclist Jonathan Edwards heading things up for the Beeb. Surely they can do better?

Ah but he's a "name" - might mean that they get more viewers cos more people recognise the name. Sometimes it works - Jake Humphries was actually very good in commentary/anchor on the Olympics; Adrian Chiles by contrast was bloody awful.

Jonathan Edwards is a particularly keen cyclist though... And does a good job on telly.