TV commentators in shock as Chris Froome runs up Mont Ventoux
Sight of Tour de France leader on foot prompts widespread incredulity - and a mention of Shakespeare from the Dutch
The extraordinary sight of cyclist Chris Froome in the Tour de France yellow jersey running up Mont Ventoux without a bike will go down as one of the most bizarre episodes in the race's history.
The moment, which followed the British cyclist's crash with a motorbike, produced some memorable commentary from astonished commentators. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_original","fid":"97403","attributes":{"class":"media-image"}}]]
You don't need a degree in French to appreciate the astonishment in the commentator's voice as he realises what is happening, or to understand his description of events as "incredible", "unimaginable" and "surreal".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
There was widespread incredulity on rival channel RTS Un as well, with the commentary team spluttering their surprise at the sight of Froome pelting towards the finish line. "Froome's on foot... what is happening?" was their opening gambit. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_original","fid":"97398","attributes":{"class":"media-image"}}]]
The Italian commentator also initially had trouble processing what was happening, blurting out: "No" on seeing the yellow jersey on foot, before admirably regaining his composure to describe it as "a disaster". [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_original","fid":"97399","attributes":{"class":"media-image"}}]]
True to form, the Dutch TV team were more laidback, with the commentator at one point paraphrasing Shakespeare in typically sardonic fashion: "My kingdom for a fiets [bike]," he remarked. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_original","fid":"97400","attributes":{"class":"media-image"}}]]
Even the typical British reserve was lost for a second as the British TV team realised what was happening. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_original","fid":"97401","attributes":{"class":"media-image"}}]]
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Ecuador's cloud forest has legal rights – and maybe a song credit
Under the Radar In a world first, 'rights of nature' project petitions copyright office to recognise Los Cedros forest as song co-creator
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Today's political cartoons - November 3, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - presidential pitching, wavering convictions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Tour de France: a return to the glory days?
A stellar line-up of contenders looks set to provide a vintage race
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Cavendish: cycling’s greatest sprinter of all time
Why Everyone’s Talking About Crashes, illness and injury couldn’t stop the ‘Manx Missile’ as he equalled Eddy Merckx’s all-time record at the Tour de France
By The Week Staff Published
-
Tour de France postponed: organisers confirm 29 August start
Speed Read New dates have been announced for cycling’s premier event
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Decathlon: cyclist Chris Froome ‘not in great shape’ after high-speed crash
Daily Briefing Ten things from the world of sport on Thursday 13 June
By The Week Staff Published
-
Today’s back pages: Man Utd tell Real Madrid to pay £150m for Paul Pogba
Speed Read A round up of the sport headlines from UK newspapers on 13 June
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sky to end Team Sky backing in 2019: success, scandal and the end of a cycling era
In Depth Since launching in 2010, the cycling powerhouse has scored 322 all-time wins including six Tour de France victories
By The Week Staff Published
-
Geraint Thomas’s Tour de France trophy stolen in Birmingham
Speed Read Team Sky confirm theft of the trophy the Welsh cycling star won in July
By The Week Staff Published
-
Geraint Thomas: CCC offer contract to Tour de France winner
Speed Read Welsh cycling hero welcomed home in Cardiff today
By The Week Staff Published