Philip Alexander Liggett MBE (born 11 August 1943) is an English commentator and journalist who covers professional cycling.
Phil Liggett | |
|---|---|
 Commentating at the 2010 Bay Cycling Classic | |
| Born | 11 August 1943 |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Cycling commentator and journalist |
| Years active | 1967–present |
| Employer(s) | NBC Sports (US) SBS (Australia) (—2016) |
He currently commentates on the Tour de France and bike races for ITV and NBC Sports, and was previously associated with Australia's SBS.[1][2] He is a former amateur cyclist and received a professional contract in 1967; instead of turning professional, he saw a future in sports journalism after writing articles in cycling magazines about races in which he participated.[3]
Journalism
editLiggett initially wrote for Cycling magazine, and moved on to do freelance work for The Guardian, the Daily Telegraph and The Observer. In 1997, he was appointed Cycle Sport magazine's international editor. He has also written books on cycle racing.[citation needed]
Liggett has reported on 17 Olympic Games and 52 Tours de France, generally alongside fellow veteran cycling commentators and former cyclists Paul Sherwen (UK) and Bob Roll (US). Liggett has covered other sports including triathlons and ski jumping. Because of his varied assignments, Liggett has worked for all of the American Big Three networks: ABC, CBS, and NBC.[4] Liggett announced his retirement from commentating Olympics during the 2024 Olympics, with the 2024 Games being his last.[5]
Liggett has also been associated with the Australian network SBS covering Australian events such as the Tour Down Under in addition to the Tour de France. In 2010, he covered Johannesburg's 94.7 Cycle Challenge for South Africa's SuperSport.[4] Liggett also commentated for London 2012 with Australian broadcaster Foxtel.
Liggett, along with Anna Meares and Robbie McEwen, co-hosted the Seven Network broadcast of the 2023 & 2024 Santos Men's Tour Down Under used by Peacock in the US.[6][7]
Cycling
editBetween 1972 and 1993, Liggett was technical director of the Milk Race. His involvement with organising cycle racing events led to his becoming vice-president of the Association Internationale Organisateurs des Courses Cycliste. In 1973, age 30, Liggett became the youngest ever UCI international commissaire.[citation needed]
Liggett has been president of the Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC), Britain's national cyclists' organisation.[8]
In 2009, he was inducted into the British Cycling Hall of Fame.[9]
Defence of Lance Armstrong
editLiggett was a long-time supporter of Lance Armstrong and was a regular speaker at "Livestrong" functions along with his Tour De France co-presenter Paul Sherwen. He repeatedly defended Armstrong, challenging the investigations which he called "a waste of money".[10] When Floyd Landis tested positive at the 2006 Tour de France, Liggett denigrated the verdict, saying: "The fact that the lab knew whose sample it was testing is just one of the anomalies",[11] but when Landis admitted to doping in 2010 and implicated Armstrong, Liggett dismissed it as "sour grapes" and called the accusations "ridiculous". He also stated that UCI President Pat McQuaid was "vehemently anti-doping."[citation needed][12]
In 2012, after the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) had stripped Armstrong of his Tour de France titles, Liggett claimed on South African Radio to have proof that unnamed politicians motivated by jealousy had fabricated the evidence against Armstrong by bribing witnesses.[13] This provoked an angry response from USADA, who dismissed his claims,[14] and a comprehensive, point-by-point rebuttal by Michael Ashenden, PhD, a leading doping expert.[15] In October 2012, Liggett maintained his defence of Armstrong, calling the investigation a "witch hunt" without evidence.[16] Later that month, in a documentary by ABC's Four Corners entitled "The World According to Lance", he stated that he now found it difficult to believe that Armstrong had never doped and that he was disappointed that Armstrong had lied to him in 2003 when asked about doping.[17][18]
Personal life
editIn 2005, Liggett was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to cycling.[19][20]
Books
edit- Tour De France for Dummies by Phil Liggett, James Raia, Sammarye Lewis and Lance Armstrong (27 May 2005)
- Tour de France 1988 by Phil Liggett (May 1988)
- Fastest Man on Wheels. In Pursuit of Chris Boardman by Phil Liggett (May 1994)
- Dancing on the Pedals: The Found Poetry of Phil Liggett, the Voice of Cycling by Phil Liggett and Doug Donaldson (Editor)
References
edit- ^ "It's a new era for SBS and the Tour de France". sbs.com.au. Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- ^ "SBS makes changes to Tour de France coverage". news.com.au. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- ^ "WIRED TO WIN: Surviving the Tour de France – The Official Website". Wiredtowinthemovie.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
- ^ a b "Outdoors Inc". Outdoors Inc. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
- ^ Wide World of Sports (4 August 2024). Phil Liggett says an emotional goodbye to cycling commentary | Wide World of Sports. Retrieved 11 August 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "All star broadcast team for 2023 | Santos Tour Down Under". 9 January 2023.
- ^ "Phil Liggett To Lead Broadcast | Santos Tour Down Under". 10 January 2024.
- ^ Pestes, Richard. "Phil Liggett: The Pez-Clusive Interview". PezCyclingNews.com. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ^ "Report: 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner & Annual Awards". British Cycling. 21 February 2010. Archived from the original on 28 October 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ^ Daniel Benson (6 February 2012). "Liggett on Armstrong: The whole investigation was a waste of money". Cyclingnews.com.
- ^ "Phil Liggett skeptical about Floyd Landis case". bikingbis.com. 18 August 2006.
- ^ Video on YouTube
- ^ Ballz Visual Radio. "Sport – Ballz speak to Phil Liggett about Lance Armstrong being stripped of ti". ballz.co.za. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014.
- ^ Cycling News (31 August 2012). "USADA responds to Liggett's claims of bribery in Armstrong case". Cyclingnews.com.
- ^ "A Filthy Business Indeed | NY Velocity - New York bike racing culture, news and events". Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- ^ Daniel Benson (15 October 2012). "Despite USADA's evidence Liggett remains Armstrong's supporter". Cyclingnews.com.
- ^ Shane Stokes (15 October 2012). "Liggett admits he now finds it very difficult not to believe Armstrong took drugs". Velo Nation. Velo Nation LLC. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ "Phil Liggett interview". ABC News. ABC. 18 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ "No. 57665". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 June 2005. p. B18.
- ^ "MBE announcement from CTC website". Archived from the original on 25 July 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
External links
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