Le Tour is underway once again and it has a couple of new twists.
- Instead of a prologue time trial to begin, this year’s race begins with a true road race. As pointed out by the VS. television crew, this means that anyone can lead after day one.
- Speaking of the television crew for VS, once again they have broken up the foursome we are finally used to. Craig Hummer is no longer in the booth with Phil, Paul & Bobke. The trio instead is joined by newcomer, Liam McHugh. He has a excellent voice and a good personality. I think he will fit in quickly. Hummer has made the transition to field reporter and I expect him to show up via remote packages recorded along the way.
Starting along the Atlantic coast at Passage du Gois, a road partially submerged twice a day by the tide,and finishing atop a 2KM climb at Mont des Alouettes, this inaugural route has it all!
I look forward to another great tour. I look forward to a very large number of strong American riders winning some stages and playing major roles. (Four American teams are in this year’s race)
Andy Schleck is my early favorite but who knows? Three weeks, 2,000+ miles, twists, turns, mountains, and time trials – it is going to be a great tour!
Seriously? Liam McHugh doesn’t hold a candle to Craig Hummer. I have no idea how he got the job. He’s a decent speaker but is so boring. He lacks any experience. It’s not that he’s young but he’s never been a rider. He looks like he won a prize and that’s how he got the job. He’s a serious ass kisser and looks like he’s scared that Phil or Paul will say something to catch him off guard. He never has an interesting response or decent banter. Bob Roll who is hilarious and opinionated has nothing to say because Liam has no idea how to make any kind of give-take banter. He could never commentate the actual race. What a shame. Who the hell did Craig Hummer piss off to get relagated to “field reporter”? Too bad. The Tour sucks now that NBC got a hold of it. Thanks you corporate NBC punks.
Originally, I felt the same way about Hummer and yes, my first impulse here was to be upset that McHugh got the gig. I decided to try and be optimistic about it and see what happens.
Now, a week into his first season, I am with you. He leaves Bobke looking perplexed half the time and he looks and sounds like every other news magazine pundit. Pretty weak juju.