The annual David "Duffers" Duffield thread

pottssteve

Ay-Up!

With the season now in full swing and France looming on the calendar, I felt there had been something missing so far this year. One obvious factor was the sunshine, which has only recently deigned to put in an appearance. However, today it finally occurred to me that I had not had the pleasure of David Duffield's commentary thus far this year.

I understand that, at the age of 82, he has hung up his microphone. I for one will miss his ability to make flat stages through rural France almost watchable, his anecdotes about regional produce and sausages he has loved...

I hope he is watching this year's races and enjoying his retirement....

Steve

ju5t1n

I don’t think he’s been on telly for 2 or 3 years now. I seem to remember that people on here were pretty cruel to him in his later years, calling on him to retire etc. – and now he’s gone we miss him!

above_the_cows

Being an unashamed geek I am happy to provide geographical, historical and socio-political commentary on the TdF threads this year, if ddraver chips in with some topographical/geological info. I for one want to know how old the Alpe is, when and how it was formed and what sort of rocks it is made from.

jimmythecuckoo

His knowledge of local produce, especially the cheeses is always missed.

deejay

When will they ever find a Treasure like him putting his size 13 boot in it.
That means he would appologise his mistakes quite often.
His experience did bring Eurosport to Cycling in UK by meetings in Paris to explain that a market existed here and so they appointed him to speak. Good Lad that one who knew how to suffer on a bike.
Like his old story of being in a road race on the Coventry By-Pass as part of the peloton came around a roundabout and onto the cycle path for half mile until the next roundabout.

Just think that the mouth Harmon will be back to annoy us next month. Strewth.

Richmond Racer

deejay wrote:

When will they ever find a Treasure like him putting his size 13 boot in it.
That means he would appologise his mistakes quite often.
His experience did bring Eurosport to Cycling in UK by meetings in Paris to explain that a market existed here and so they appointed him to speak. Good Lad that one who knew how to suffer on a bike.
Like his old story of being in a road race on the Coventry By-Pass as part of the peloton came around a roundabout and onto the cycle path for half mile until the next roundabout.

Just think that the mouth Harmon will be back to annoy us next month. Strewth.

I know this has been discussed A LOT, but I'd still rather Harmon than Quigley or Hatch

above_the_cows

Richmond Racer wrote:

I know this has been discussed A LOT, but I'd still rather Harmon than Quigley or Hatch

This. Plus if the Tour coverage is like last year's we'll have Carlton popping in to tell us all about the cassoulet he had the night before and the type of tiles he's bought for his farm renovations. I for one enjoy this randomness, it's like getting a discussion on pigeons or the construction of the Oval gas storage tanks while listening to Test Match Special. Sounds of the summer.

Macaloon

Mad_Malx wrote:

Did it involve typing 'Feyerabend's anarchic dadaism'?

Back in the day, before Eurosport rose from the irradiated ashes of World of Sport, Big Dadaism was a fixture, just before the classifieds.

dsoutar

Above The Cows wrote:

This. Plus if the Tour coverage is like last year's we'll have Carlton popping in to tell us all about the cassoulet he had the night before and the type of tiles he's bought for his farm renovations. I for one enjoy this randomness, it's like getting a discussion on pigeons or the construction of the Oval gas storage tanks while listening to Test Match Special. Sounds of the summer.

Exactly - it's an event, not just a race. For some people, apart from maybe last year's Olympics, it might be the only bit of racing they ever see and let's face it some stages can be fairly dull, even to real afficionados.

I'm sure all of us would have people turning their tellys off within minutes if we had a microphone thrust in front of us with 3 hours of racing to opine on

rajMAN

Long live Duffers

graeme_s-2

Above The Cows wrote:

if the Tour coverage is like last year's we'll have Carlton popping in to tell us all about the cassoulet he had the night before and the type of tiles he's bought for his farm renovations. I for one enjoy this randomness

I really enjoy Carlton's contributions during the Tour. I'm not much of a fan of him in the commentary role, but hearing him join in during the Tour is great fun.

I know it's probably the case that only David Harmon can actually hear Carlton during these bits, but I like to imagine that Sean Kelly can hear him perfectly well, but just refuses to engage with him during these interludes!

above_the_cows

Graeme_S wrote:

Above The Cows wrote:

if the Tour coverage is like last year's we'll have Carlton popping in to tell us all about the cassoulet he had the night before and the type of tiles he's bought for his farm renovations. I for one enjoy this randomness

I really enjoy Carlton's contributions during the Tour. I'm not much of a fan of him in the commentary role, but hearing him join in during the Tour is great fun.

I know it's probably the case that only David Harmon can actually hear Carlton during these bits, but I like to imagine that Sean Kelly can hear him perfectly well, but just refuses to engage with him during these interludes!

Ha ha ha. Yes.

curium

Above The Cows wrote:

Richmond Racer wrote:

I know this has been discussed A LOT, but I'd still rather Harmon than Quigley or Hatch

This. Plus if the Tour coverage is like last year's we'll have Carlton popping in to tell us all about the cassoulet he had the night before and the type of tiles he's bought for his farm renovations. I for one enjoy this randomness, it's like getting a discussion on pigeons or the construction of the Oval gas storage tanks while listening to Test Match Special. Sounds of the summer.

Me too! The TdF is about more than cycling. My missus enjoyes watching it on Eurosport for the scenery and Harmon & Kirby's ability to discuss things other than cycling. This does not detract from my enjoyment at being able to watch the cycling!

PS. She loves King Kelly and his accent!