Friday, March 29, 2024

Tony Gibb – From the Commentator’s Box; London Olympics Day Six

-

HomeJournalsTV Commentator Tony GibbTony Gibb - From the Commentator's Box; London Olympics Day Six
London Olympics Day Six

Well, the women’s omnium is in full swing at the London Olympics Day Six. Laura Trott has won the flying lap, a great ride, I’m not entirely sure where she was for the points race, I think team GB put someone up in her place, maybe she was getting her hair done or something, all I know is she didn’t show up!

Clearly, she returned from her appointment elsewhere to dominate the elimination race, flirting with danger hitting the front from the back to end up fighting it out for the win with Sarah Hammer of the USA.

She defeated Hammer comfortably, but if it could have been anyone else, anyone!

Tomorrow brings the pursuit, scratch race and the horrific 500 meter TT to finish.

In other unfinished business news, the women’s individual sprint seemed to continue at a pace only mirrored by the entire Olympics with Vicky Pendleton and Anna Mears seemingly destined for a meeting in the final.

If I had to pick the other I’d say Guo and Vogel riding off for the bronze.

Over the years the French have been somewhat successful at track sprinting, with Morolon, Rousseau, Tournant to name but a few who have dominated, totally dominated, their respective generations.

Great Britain have not.  Yes, Queally won the kilo at the Sydney Olympics, but Jason’s tactics in match sprinting and the Keirin were equalled only by his discomfort at riding within a mile of anyone else!

Craig Maclean had some success, I think he finished second in the worlds one year, but it’s not Until Sir Chris Hoy switched from the Kilo that we had our first real sprint superstar, and my god what a star!

He has cemented his place in the list of greats at these games.  He was already there but now he’s smashed his way in to the hall of fame and pulled up a chair at the top table. Now, move over Sir Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny has landed!

Having won the world sprint title in 2011 by default when Gregory Baugé was retrospectively banned for a “whereabouts” infringement, I have lost count of the number of times I have commentated on a Kenny V Baugé final.

London Olympics Day Six
Jason’s quiet manner and powerful, determined riding are total contradictions. Photo©GettyImages

But let me be very clear here, he’s no new kid on the block.  A team sprint gold and individual sprint silver (behind sprint god) from Beijing four years ago shows he is no newcomer.  In fact the similarities between him and Phillip Hindes are clear for all to see.

The other storyline here is that of Nijisane Phillip from Trinidad and Tobago who has got himself all the way to the bronze medal ride off, having said all he wanted to do was come here, ride a good 200 metre time trial.

Now this guy rides with some heart, and a lot of balls!  It wasn’t to be the fairy tale ending of Rocky and Cool Runnings all rolled into one; Shane Perkins of Australia restored the norm and took the bronze in two straight rides.

No such norm being restored in the Gold medal ride.  Kenny defeated Baugé in two straight rides –  let me correct myself, Kenny annihilated Baugé in two straight rides.  He showed him what to expect in years to come, and the rider that I have previously referred to as the Usain Bolt of track sprinting loses his crown.

Don’t expect any shows from Jason Kenny, don’t expect to see him on TV, in magazines, doing cereal, hair shampoo or bread adverts; this is a very down to earth, almost shy young man, who’s feet are firmly planted on terra firma.

All I can say is, this young man has much more to come, and he deserves every bit of the success he has already, and that awaits him.

It’s the last day tomorrow and I can’t bloody wait: men’s Keirin, the end of the women’s omnium and women’s sprint. Official odds of three team GB golds, 7 to 2 – worth a punt I think?

Related Articles

Tony Gibb Eurosport Commentator – London Olympics Day Three

Well no rubbish today about my trip to the track or my run in with a black cab driver, today is simply about the bike riding.

Tony Gibb – From the Commentator’s Box; London Olympics Day Five

Track world cups last three days, occasionally four, the world championships last five days, and at those we have the five Olympic events plus a scratch race, individual pursuit, kilo/500 tt, men's Madison, so why oh why has the London Olympics Day Five schedule been a part of a six day programme? The sessions have been short, very short.

From the Commentator’s Box, Tony Gibb; London Olympics Day Two

So the first day of track competition, and I am buzzing! It's all hit home, I'm here, at the London Olympics Day Two, it's weird, being so close, knowing all the people involved...

From The Commentator’s Box – Tony Gibb; London Olympics Day One

So, the track cycling competition at the London Olympics Day One has not even started yet and I have some great stories! Eurosport, my very kind and generous employers for this particular gig have booked me in to the Bloomsbury hotel!

At Random

Scottish Team Time Trial Championship 2008

Despite loosing roadman sprinter, Graeme McGarrity within ten miles of the start and short distance specialist, Gary Robson thinking that the finish would never come, Dooleys RT successfully defended their Scottish team time trial title on a dry but windy Saturday afternoon in the rich farmland of Strathmore near Forfar. Scottish ten mile champion and freshly crowned European Masters pursuit champion, Arthur Doyle did much of the work in ensuring the title stayed with Bob Taylor's band; ably backed by man who knows more about team trialling than most, former British Champion in the discipline, Dave Gibson.

Scottish 10 Mile Time Trial Championship 2009

Scottish 10 Mile Time Trial Championship 2009 - Scottish time trialling came within ten seconds of a major upset on the wind swept tarmac of the A77 near Newton Mearns on Saturday morning as 45 year-old Peter Ettles (Forres) thrashed his 104" fixed gear to within that many seconds of defending 10 mile champion and current short distance king, Arthur Doyle (Dooleys).

Il Giro d’Italia 2014 – Stage 1; The Giro in Belfast, 21.7 km. Joy and Pain, Sunshine and Rain

The Giro in Belfast. ‘Joy and Pain, Sunshine and Rain,’ went the song by Frankie Beverley and Maze back in 1980. Joy and sunshine – well, at least no rain - for big Svein Tuft and the GreenEdge loco; but for Dan Martin and Garmin it was all rain and pain. Tuft is one of the nicest men you’ll ever meet, the original Gentle Giant – a beast of a man on a bike, off it he’s polite, friendly, gentle and laid back. In my book, one of the ‘Good Guys’ - happy birthday, sir!

John Patston – the Rebellious Bank Manager who Won Road, Track and TTs

The career of John Patston lasted three decades; he represented GB at The Worlds, was a multiple Division and National Champion and medallist, he won Star Trophy races, the Cycling Weekly Campagnolo ‘25’ Trophy series and in 1975 he notched-up 63 wins; 42 on the road and 21 against the watch. And despite being a bank manager, a pillar of the Establishment, his rebellious streak got him into trouble with the RTTC more than once, with the inevitable suspensions following.