Three riders are in a break as the helicopter shoots them going through the trees Phil and Paul talk about their positions, their personal records, strategy and riding style ...the camera switches back down the mountain to a group of 20 riders and they know them all and describe their positions and how many team members are there as well as who is working for whom.
Off at the back there's crash. The minute there's a shot they know who it is and where they stand - these guys are so well acquainted with the riders and the teams it is a model for any commentator to follow.
I hope I don't bore anyone with a story I may have told before...
Back in the late 90's I was in L.A. for USA Cycling Banquet - the Korbel Night of Champions. It was Greg LeMond's retirement announcement farewell. The dinner was at the House of Blues and it was festive. My date and I were somehow seated at a special table and were in the traffic zone to meet everyone I only read about; Greg, Davis Phinney and Connie Carpenter, Alexi Grewal, Lance, my homie Jock and Phil Liggett. A lot of people made a pact to ride up the coast to Malibu in the morning for brunch. How cool was that gonna be?!?
Most everyone was staying at the host hotel in Beverly Hills. In the morning I was in the lobby in front of the restaurant when Phil Liggett came out of the elevator. We made small talk the night before and he was gracious enough to pose for a picture (after he had a couple of dances with my date). I asked if he was going on the ride and he said he was getting breakfast before heading to the airport. We decided to grab a table and missed the ride because we sat there gabbing like old friends for over two hours. Listening to his memories and stories was one of the most memorable days of my life. As much as he was involved in telling me about an inside story of some of my heroes, he seemed just as interested to hear me talk about my first pursuit on the track at the districts. He is a genuine great guy; a treasure in our sport.
Side note: I had just gotten Phil's movie of Indurain's 5th Tour win and we were discussing the chance of him winning a 6th. Phil said he didn't see anyone on the horizon capable of taking down 'Big Mig'. I told him to go watch his own movie because it looked like Bjarne Riis was the obvious choice to take the next one. Now we know he did. But, I've never gotten to meet Phil again to gloat a bit, but maybe I'll hunt him down in Colorado next month. ;-)
(But, I do have an autographed Greg LeMond Yellow Jersey with a stain of lasagna sauce from when it hit his dinner plate.)
Awesome story! Wow.
As much as he was involved in telling me about an inside story of some of my heroes, he seemed just as interested to hear me talk about my first pursuit on the track at the districts. He is a genuine great guy; a treasure in our sport.
Great memory.
The “ real people” are like that. Humble,interested in you, and not at all enamored by their fame.
The fakes of our political & entertainment world are consumed by I & me, and unfortunately take many an other wise good person down with them in their charlatans game