Prior to the resumption of racing this August my last cycling 'gig' was our incredible World Championships in Yorkshire. In between I had been lucky enough to get back on the announcers mic for Active Training World at their Ashridge Duathlon just a matter of days before lockdown began.
It's all happening now though! The exciting merger between Eurosport and GCN has seen the amount and depth of live racing at fans finger tips expand massively and I'm pleased to say that means even more great races to commentate on.
Here's my Autumn commentary race schedule where you'll be able to catch me on Eurosport and GCN through their brand new Apps and also on linear television world wide:
Here we have the opening video for Facebook Live as the stage rolled out in Warwickshire and then the audio from that final lap on top of what has become known on tour as 'Mount Dassett'.
Kasia Niewiadoma winning was reminiscent of her dominant win in in that spring's Amstel Gold Race and Lizzie Deignan's Roche-esque ascent of that final climb to take third was something else.
If you have time and want the full picture of the day watch both. If you want to cut to the ripping action on the climb (plus an unbelievably loud bell) just watch the second one. Enjoy
Here we have the last 4k of live finish line commentary.
Again, un-published until now, exactly one year on to the day.
Having been in the box at the finish line all day and joined by Rebecca Charlton to pick over the happenings out on the road Jez is then joined by forward announcer on the race Carl Lawrenson to whip up the crowds and bring the riders home.
Here we have the as yet unpublished recording of the closing stages of what was arguably the most important and 'stacked' circuit race ever to be held in England. Stage two of last years OVO Energy Women's Tour at the Kent CycloPark. What a great day in the sunshine for those that were lucky enough to be there one year ago.
If you weren't (and if you were), have a listen to this...
Live commentary starting with the voice of Jez Cox who was positioned at the top of the BMX track overlooking the back end of the course and then Carl Lawrenson who was in the box overlooking the finish line.
Missing seeing top level racing whilst in lockdown?
Sit back and enjoy 15 minutes of the highlights from great finishes at the 2019 Tour of Denmark
The highlights feature commentary from Jez Cox and Tony Gibb
Jez : "I'm quite open about my goals. When I started on the mic I set myself some ambitious targets. I wanted to be the official speaker of Britain's biggest races and I do that with the Tour of Britain and Women's Tour. I wanted to be the live commentator for a World Championship and I achieved that at Yorkshire 2019. I wanted to become a Eurosport live commentator and that came to fruition last year too. My final 2 goals are to call the finish of an Olympic road race and then live commentate on a Grand Tour.
I'm working on it! I am of course in incredible company amongst some brilliant English speaking lead commentators and I get to work alongside some truly world class expert commentators such as Tony below but I 'm also not afraid to state where I want to be because otherwise people will think you're comfortable. I'm not comfortable. I'm itchily ambitious and I want to tick every box to get there because if I don't someone else will.
Next stop the Olympics and becoming a regular on the Grand Tours.
I might fail but I'll still try.
I'm always learning though and the only way I'll really learn is to take criticism on board. If there are elements that grate with you or wish were different in the way I come across below, do please tell me. Genuinely, I want to know as it's the only way I'll get better at being a sporting storyteller.
Enjoy the below"
NOTE ***These are live video commentary highlights CROPPED AND COMPLIED BY JEZ COX whose commentary features and although the footage is all from the original Eurosport coverage the rough editing should and does not reflect the slick presentation that Eurosport viewers worldwide are used to. Jez is by no means a video editing expert so do forgive us***
This time a throwback to Jez's Eurosport TV debut in the sweltering heat of June alongside fellow West Londoner and Eurosport regular Tony Gibb.
It's Halle-Ingooigem, a mainstay of the Belgian national series (Bingoal Cup) and the World Tour teams are locking horns with the Pro-Conti and Conti teams (as they were then) when this happens....
