When it comes to sports, we normally don't care too much about bicycle racing, outside of the Tour de France, and downhill mountain bike racing falls even further down on the list. However, a video from a recent mountain bike race is making the rounds and getting people's attention for two reasons: one being that the British biker in the video is really good, and the other being that the call by the British broadcast team is completely hilarious.
The UCI MTB World Championships took place this past weekend in Champery, Switzerland, and the video shows British racer Danny Hart taking the gold with an impressive run, with British commentators Rob Warner and Martin Whiteley making the call. To gain a full appreciation of this video, you'll need to watch it twice: once with the mute button on, and again with full sound.
With the sound off, you get an appreciation for Danny Hart's biking skills. The terrain of this downhill course was treacherous to begin with, but given the fact that recent rainfall had turn the dirt course into mud, it had to be that much more difficult and dangerous to navigate through the various turns and obstacles. Any average biker wouldn't have a chance, so it becomes clear that Danny Hart must be really, really good.
Once you listen with the sound, however, the video takes on a whole different dynamic as you can't help but focus on the commentary (or rather, the shouts of crazy fanatical excitement) by Warner and Whiteley. These guys don't even try to hide the fact that they are rooting for their fellow countryman to take home the gold. Along the way, Whiteley, who is supposed to be providing color commentary, is simply shouting "Danny, stay on your bike!" and "Come on, Danny-o, you can hold on to it!"
The broadcast team's excitement turned into complete exhiliration as Danny Hart crossed the finish line with the fastest time. Warner nearly loses his voice, while Whitely shouts "What the hell?!...I hope to God [Danny's] World Champion...That is the most insane bicycle riding I've ever seen in my life."
However, to top it all off, Rob Warner provides the absolute classic line: "How does Danny sit down with balls that big?" The video couldn't have a more perfect ending.
Announcers Go Ballistic [Deadspin via Sportress of Blogitude]
The UCI MTB World Championships took place this past weekend in Champery, Switzerland, and the video shows British racer Danny Hart taking the gold with an impressive run, with British commentators Rob Warner and Martin Whiteley making the call. To gain a full appreciation of this video, you'll need to watch it twice: once with the mute button on, and again with full sound.
With the sound off, you get an appreciation for Danny Hart's biking skills. The terrain of this downhill course was treacherous to begin with, but given the fact that recent rainfall had turn the dirt course into mud, it had to be that much more difficult and dangerous to navigate through the various turns and obstacles. Any average biker wouldn't have a chance, so it becomes clear that Danny Hart must be really, really good.
Once you listen with the sound, however, the video takes on a whole different dynamic as you can't help but focus on the commentary (or rather, the shouts of crazy fanatical excitement) by Warner and Whiteley. These guys don't even try to hide the fact that they are rooting for their fellow countryman to take home the gold. Along the way, Whiteley, who is supposed to be providing color commentary, is simply shouting "Danny, stay on your bike!" and "Come on, Danny-o, you can hold on to it!"
The broadcast team's excitement turned into complete exhiliration as Danny Hart crossed the finish line with the fastest time. Warner nearly loses his voice, while Whitely shouts "What the hell?!...I hope to God [Danny's] World Champion...That is the most insane bicycle riding I've ever seen in my life."
However, to top it all off, Rob Warner provides the absolute classic line: "How does Danny sit down with balls that big?" The video couldn't have a more perfect ending.
Announcers Go Ballistic [Deadspin via Sportress of Blogitude]
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
