Get rid of Carlton Kirby

Kirby is an embarrassment. From his abysmal pronunciation of riders’ names to his ignorant, incoherent “commentary,” the guy makes races less fun and interesting to watch. I’d just as soon turn the race off whenever he’s commentating. Come on, please, move this dinosaur into a position where he will do less damage?

If Kirby had bothered to learn anything about cycling in his long career, I might agree with you that criticism is not good use of time. Alas, we “encounter” Kirby for hours on end and these encounters are filled with errors and annoying cliches. Unfortunately, after decades, the man is still clueless and it spoils enjoyment of watching a sport I love. Do the critics outnumber the Kirby fans? Well, the fact that over 1000 of us “took time out of our day” to sign this rather suggests they might. What was your basis for asserting the opposite? 16 likes on Twitter for his last dad joke?

You are absolutely right, Frank - it is not necessary to voice your opinion on every subject. Perhaps you should take your own advice - and not 'take time out of [your] day' to suggest that all the people on here who disagree with you should refrain from expressing their own view and 'get a life'? That sounds to me like very 'personal criticism': not (presumably) having 'encountered' any of us, you should perhaps also consider the effect your words may have?

The fact that someone has felt it necessary to create a petition to express their personal opinion regarding a commentator on a bike race, says a lot more about them than any of their pedantic criticisms contained within said petition. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. What people these days seem to have forgotten, is that it's not necessary to voice your opinion on every subject. To suggest that those who enjoy Carlton's commentary are in the minority, is patently untrue. Many people, including myself, enjoy his style. I personally feel it's well suited to an event such as the tour. Unfortunately, as is the case with most internet based discussions, it's always the majority who remain quiet and the minority who feel the need to voice their opinions the loudest. I would suggest that anyone who took time out of their day to direct professional and personal criticism towards a man they have never encountered, would be better served by considering the effect their words may have, and frankly, getting a life.

No experience of cycling. Can’t stand his over the top commentary

Makes the programme worth watching. KEEP CARLTON KIRBY. Best commentator there is.

Thank god for ITV 4

He's back - Arghh. Why is he still there?He needs to be retired immediately, his intake of breath followed by his inane comments is excruciating

The man is an idiot. Rude and ignorant. Spoils my viewing on Eurosport.

I would enjoy the Tour a lot more if it was commentated by Dan Lloyd, Blythe, Hatch, King Kelly, coach Brian etc. Carlton does my head in, I wish he'd stop with all the stupid comments, catchphrases, and one liners. I don't understand how he still can't recognise who most of the riders are considering he likely watches nearly every race going. He also constantly down talks the riders, broadcasters, support teams, race organisers, etc etc, we can do without that negativity.

Agree, he is driving me mad with his inane commentary

Began watching Eurosport coverage of the Tour in the mid-80s, here in Portugal, years before the Portuguese broadcast (going strong, and with a great team, btw). The commentator was David Duffield. More recently, on different vacations, I followed a couple of editions commented by Carlton Kirby and was absolutely gutted by the sheer lack of knowledge and grace. Having the opportunity of following the Portuguese broadcast, I nevertheless sympathize with my fellow petitioners.

Excellent comment. Please send it to Eurosport yourself. The more of us do this, the more likely they might finally listen.

Cliché ridden, bad calls, poor knowledge of cycling and regional culture. A stream of self-satisfied chuckles and inanity.

It is so cringeworthy. The standard of his fellow commentators also sky-rockets when paired with anyone else.

Meanwhile frankly he's hopeless

Meanwhile he continue to ruin races Dauphiné etc... Continue to prononce Gaudo instead of Gaudu! Please let him out from coming Tour de France

Please Eurosport, leave him off the team for the Tour! He seems to have a small number of ardent fans who enjoy his particular form of humour but I am willing to bet these people are massively outnumbered by those of us who cannot stand his commentary. Why do we hate it so much? Firstly, the fact that despite his long years watching cycling, he is stunningly clueless about race strategy, team structure and rider palmares. This isn't a matter of taste or style - the guy just makes constant errors, some of which leave poor Brian Smith speechless. The worst ones are those that criticise a rider incorrectly - criticising a performance when it is clear the rider is not in the race for that purpose, has cooked themselves chasing a break for their leader or has sat up on team orders. He has a small number of (mostly British) riders that he can recognise in the peloton but with everyone else, he seems to have no idea. Sometimes, you can almost hear him looking up a rider from the race number and pretending to know something about them, before dropping an absolute clanger ("I really expected more from him today..." about a first-year domestique who has cooked himself getting into the break). Secondly, his chattering is incessant, largely irrelevant and occasionally offensive. Sure, commentators need to fill some time on flat stages etc but the time can be filled much more effectively by discussing strategy, recent events in cycling, recent or upcoming stages, parkour, the local area or even the weather. Instead, Kirby delivers free-associated word salad and cringeworthy wordplay. He thinks he's Ronnie Corbett or Stephen Fry but he is actually the lovechild of David Brent and Alan Partridge. Thirdly, "quite frankly", "to be honest", "meanwhile", his various tics and repetitive word-crutches are just painful. If he is going to take regular audible breaths through his teeth, he should use a mic set up (like cricket commentators) that doe

Have you considered that it might not be what's wrong with everyone else??

Enough of the uneducated, ill-informed puns and incomprehensible segues that do not add anything to the viewing experience.