David Duffield (sports commentator)
Encyclopedia
David Duffield is best known as a commentator on British Eurosport working mainly on the channel's professional cycling
coverage for many years. In the 1950s Duffield was an accomplished amateur cyclist specialising on the tricycle earning himself the trike 100 mile record and in 1956, the UK End to End record with a time of 3 days, 12 hours and 15mins.
whenever the Tour de France
would occasionally revisit the slopes of the Mont Ventoux
, the scene of Simpson's untimely death on Stage 13 of the 1967 Tour. In the midst of the spectacle and battles of the day on those famous slopes David could, in a stolen moment, and with a few sincere and heartfelt words, bring a lump to the throat and a tear to the eye, such is the passion of the man. Duffield's credentials as a professional cycling expert are obvious and undeniable as evidenced by his commentary, peppered as it is with notes on everything from gearing and cadence, individual cyclists weight, to statistics and memories from long past Grand Tours or Classics from earlier in the season. However, it is his obvious talent for missing on screen action and appearing to be more interested in enlightening the audience as to the precise location of a 'nice little restaurant' where he once had a pleasant meal that causes some to despair. For example significant moves or attempted breaks off the front of the Peloton are sometimes missed by David and more so when he is engrossed in a tale or anecdote. Often what we are seeing onscreen will play 2nd fiddle to his memories and recollections - which at times of low-drama in the bunch works superbly well as the viewer is entertained for an otherwise dull few minutes. But when something of note is actually occurring Duffield's insistence on ignoring it as he finishes his monologue is quite frustrating. For some this is unforgivable and unprofessional, for others it is excusable considering Duffield's clear ability to enlighten and entertain throughout hours and hours of some uneventful flat days Stage from a flat part of France to an even flatter part, a bit closer to Paris.
One disapproving cycling fan relates his experience of Duffield's commentary style thus:
Read more: http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/forum/forummessages.asp?UTN=116500&dt=4&URN=6&srchdte=0&cp=1&v=1&sp=#ixzz1Nn5eSnIB
upbringing. Some are archaic phrases that have otherwise gone out of fashion, some are simply unsuitable for family daytime viewing and others are just weird. He is also known for mispronouncing riders' names, understandable perhaps with an only occasionally mentioned Ukrainian domestique, but sometimes well-known riders would become someone you have never heard of before, until you realise his mistake.
David was at the photo/video shoot for the Tour de France inspired Queen
single "Bicycle Race
" where 65 naked women rode racers round Wimbledon Stadium. Duffield always relates how the day was great fun but that the cycle hire shop refused to take back the saddles from the bikes, citing hygiene reasons.
Bicycle racing
Bicycle racing is a competition sport in which various types of bicycles are used. There are several categories of bicycle racing including road bicycle racing, cyclo-cross, mountain bike racing, track cycling, BMX, bike trials, and cycle speedway. Bicycle racing is recognised as an Olympic sport...
coverage for many years. In the 1950s Duffield was an accomplished amateur cyclist specialising on the tricycle earning himself the trike 100 mile record and in 1956, the UK End to End record with a time of 3 days, 12 hours and 15mins.
Style of Commentary
David Duffield's commentary style is quite literally unique. For this reason he has many passionate fans and indeed many passionate detractors. Some believe he effortlessly and entertainingly brings to life what is essentially an often unexciting spectacle, while others bemoan him for irrelevancies and lack of observation. Typically Duffield, with his encyclopedic knowledge of the sport and its history, will make mention of past events or performances relating them to places encountered in a days Stage in a most interesting way. He often turns, what may appear to some, to be a dull afternoon of cycling for some men in tight Lycra, into an event of significance with ties to history, cycling legend and heroic performances from some forgotten cycling giant. Nothing would illustrate this natural ability more perhaps than the stunning tribute David would pay to British cyclist Tom SimpsonTom Simpson
Tom Simpson was the most successful English road racing cyclist of the post-war years. He infamously died of exhaustion on the slopes of Mont Ventoux during the 13th stage of the Tour de France in 1967...
whenever the Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
would occasionally revisit the slopes of the Mont Ventoux
Mont Ventoux
Mont Ventoux is a mountain in the Provence region of southern France, located some 20 km northeast of Carpentras, Vaucluse. On the north side, the mountain borders the Drôme département. It is the largest mountain in the region and has been nicknamed the "Giant of Provence", or "The Bald...
, the scene of Simpson's untimely death on Stage 13 of the 1967 Tour. In the midst of the spectacle and battles of the day on those famous slopes David could, in a stolen moment, and with a few sincere and heartfelt words, bring a lump to the throat and a tear to the eye, such is the passion of the man. Duffield's credentials as a professional cycling expert are obvious and undeniable as evidenced by his commentary, peppered as it is with notes on everything from gearing and cadence, individual cyclists weight, to statistics and memories from long past Grand Tours or Classics from earlier in the season. However, it is his obvious talent for missing on screen action and appearing to be more interested in enlightening the audience as to the precise location of a 'nice little restaurant' where he once had a pleasant meal that causes some to despair. For example significant moves or attempted breaks off the front of the Peloton are sometimes missed by David and more so when he is engrossed in a tale or anecdote. Often what we are seeing onscreen will play 2nd fiddle to his memories and recollections - which at times of low-drama in the bunch works superbly well as the viewer is entertained for an otherwise dull few minutes. But when something of note is actually occurring Duffield's insistence on ignoring it as he finishes his monologue is quite frustrating. For some this is unforgivable and unprofessional, for others it is excusable considering Duffield's clear ability to enlighten and entertain throughout hours and hours of some uneventful flat days Stage from a flat part of France to an even flatter part, a bit closer to Paris.
One disapproving cycling fan relates his experience of Duffield's commentary style thus:
- My first ever experience of the man was the 1991 or 92 Milan San Remo when the bunch was strung out along the coast road before the Cipressa and Poggio, [the Peloton was] weaving in and out of parked cars, and he came out with, "Ooooh...mind that man's Porsche," which was how he interrupted an anecdote about being in Italy in the army. That was his occasional reference to the bike race, from which he then returned to his story.
Read more: http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/forum/forummessages.asp?UTN=116500&dt=4&URN=6&srchdte=0&cp=1&v=1&sp=#ixzz1Nn5eSnIB
'Duffieldisms'
Duffield is well known for his amusing "Duffieldisms" - obscure phrases or sayings often sourced from his English MidlandsEnglish Midlands
The Midlands, or the English Midlands, is the traditional name for the area comprising central England that broadly corresponds to the early medieval Kingdom of Mercia. It borders Southern England, Northern England, East Anglia and Wales. Its largest city is Birmingham, and it was an important...
upbringing. Some are archaic phrases that have otherwise gone out of fashion, some are simply unsuitable for family daytime viewing and others are just weird. He is also known for mispronouncing riders' names, understandable perhaps with an only occasionally mentioned Ukrainian domestique, but sometimes well-known riders would become someone you have never heard of before, until you realise his mistake.
Duffield Anecdotes
Some annecdotes usually related at least once per cycling season:David was at the photo/video shoot for the Tour de France inspired Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
single "Bicycle Race
Bicycle Race
"Bicycle Race" is a single by the English rock band Queen. It was released on their 1978 album Jazz and written by Queen's frontman Freddie Mercury. It was released as a double A-side single together with the song "Fat Bottomed Girls". The song is notable for its video featuring a bicycle race with...
" where 65 naked women rode racers round Wimbledon Stadium. Duffield always relates how the day was great fun but that the cycle hire shop refused to take back the saddles from the bikes, citing hygiene reasons.