chewa

What is he on?

Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwens race reports on the Le Tour website are great.

Is this guy even watching the race.? He seems to be in a zen like state elsewhere. No analysis, nothing.

NZLcyclist

who? lol never heard of him

Brendon

itschris

Bob Roll's funny as hell, though I don't think he intends to be. As I watch the race, I'm almost at the edge of my seat waiting to hear him say the Tur Day France. And what's with the hands? He's gonna poke an eye out.

bikeman

He's a classic! Ever read any of his old columns in cycling mags or his book? The guy will make you pee you pants if you are a cyclist and read his ramblings. Cycling needs unique and creative people like Bobke (his nickname).

I guess I'm showing my age by knowing who the guy is and his history. His insights into the minds and tactics of Tur Day France riders is interesting and helpful I think.

bac

He does offer some analysis; however, his "zen like state" is what sets him apart from the rest. His added comic relief makes for a good balance on OLN.

Bob Roll for President!!!!!

RiPHRaPH

they don't make duct tape strong enough to tape down his hands when he talks. it drives me nuts. comic relief....yes! putting him together with kristen gum is like beauty and the beast.

chewa

This is his comment on stage 7

My first ride at the Tour de France was the Prologue in Paris years ago. We had a beautiful hotel, and the team's morale was high. I had just turned pro and had done only a few pro races before my Tour debut.

Our hotel was one of the few that had air conditioning and T.V. since I had been racing in Europe, and I thought my desperation for civilized treatment had arrived. We spent almost a week in the Sofitel Grand, and I think I gained a couple of pounds on their delicious buffets.

Subsequently, I got killed in the Prologue and my morale went to rock bottom. "C'est la vie," I thought, "at least it is nowhere but up from here." I was wrong, and would have to plunge to the depths of my physical and psychological reserves before I began my reconstruction that eventually enabled me to finish in Paris. I was however, an entirely different man.

Great. It's nice to be kept abreast of developments. wtf?

Gustav

The guy is GREAT! What a character! I think he offers some good insights on the race, and particularly what may be going through the minds of the riders and race strategy. It's nice to see someone who is not a typical 'talking head' doing the coverage. I think Kersten is doing a good job with the other three members of the analysis team in fitting together in their coverage format. I'm thoroughly enjoying the OLN coverage and think they are dong a very nice job. Their website could be better, though. Not much content. I think the VeloNews site is much better.

SamDaBikinMan

I am not sure what he adds insofaras useful content but he does generate some odd humour.

KevinG

I like Bob Roll. He is funny and insightful. He rode in the tour so he has unique view of it.

khuon

Maybe his flying hands will accidently smack Kirsten.

Random

He’s funny, well spoken, and has personal insight to the tour. So why is the bimbo anchoring the pre-race show?

khuon

Actually, as far as professional bike racing knowledge goes, I think Sherwin has more than either Bobke or Liggett. But I still wouldn't trade or want to see Bob or Phil leave. I like all three of them in their own right. I just wish they would put Bob back with P&P and give him more exposure instead of sticking him with Kirsten.

lotek 

Bobke? love him.
Maybe its an American thing.

He does have some great insights into the tour and
what it takes to get to that level of cycling.

He is opinionated, he is brash, he IS the ugly American
He's funny he doesn't take himself seriously.
and that is exactly why I like him.

I particularly like the 2 commercials:
first (see Bobke on couch, looking like a hippie burnout)
"last year I wasn't at the Toor day fraance, It was a bummer"

then when he is in Bosses office his reaction to being
told he is Back on the Tour group is priceless, you can see
the shiver of delight, that palpable rush going through him
as he almost moans "...yesssssss..."

There are already too many pundits on the tour,
we have the sightseeing chick (politically incorrect term eh?),
the pretty face who hasn't got a clue, Phil and Paul,
Chris Carmichael, and Frankie all trying to be serious, and
then theres Bobke.
BTW did you see his explanation about his yellow watch?

Marty

bikeCOLORADO

He's friggin hilarious - like John Madden with NFL.

khuon

Plus Bobke also spoofs Madden in one of the commercials. I just can't get enough of Bob Roll's sense of humour.

WaterlooBoy

Bob Roll, I feel, offers his own unique perspective of this great spectacle we call The Tour. As his commercials demonstrate, the guy is not afraid to laugh at himself, and has become somewhat of a parody of himself: (the exaggerated fingertip-to-fingertip commentary, that gap-toothed grin, his supposedly stubborn refusal to concede to French pronunciation.)
I find his contributions refreshing and insightful, and I realize the sometimes pedantic tone is for the benefit of the less-rabid cycling fans among us. I'm just grateful he finally shaved off those hideous God-awful lambchop sideburns!
The Tur Day France wouldn't be the same without him.

Roadlearner

Bob Roll is awesome, cracks me up. .

"This guy right here, this is a meat and potatoes kinda guy. ."

Captain Crunch

I have to give more respect to Bobke than Petacchi. At least Bob finished the Tour even though he was nowhere close to the lead!

Cheers to Bob

bac

Yup - too cool. I am so glad to see Bob back on this year's tour. Apparently, so is he!

KevinG

Hey now that was one of the best things about Bobke.
I have been known to sport the chops every now and again.

Raedeke

More along the lines of Dennis Miller if you ask me.

He was following up a description of an incident made by Carmichael and simply repeated exactly what he had just heard - almost word for word...

But I'll admit he's a riot to watch...and Gum ain't tough on the eyes... so together I think they work.

R

jkoman

I love Bobke but feel the pressure is on all of them a little too much...They seem to try too hard and just gush with a kinds of exaggerations...especially Kirsten. I would love to see her gone...just too .........peppy and unknowledgeable. Without her we would get a more real approach to the race...I can't believe she is really attracting a new audience that was missing before, which is the only reason I can imagine her being hired. Bobke's commercial with the imitations is one of the best ever!!!

danr

Bob Roll is awesome. He definitely adds spice to the sport.

KevinG

Yea his Phil has me cracking up everytime!