Legendary voice of Eurosport David Duffield dies after suffering fall

The man whose voice and inimitable observations were the theme tune to international cycling for generations, David Duffield has died after a fall.

 

The legendary cycling commentator David Duffield has sadly died at the age of 84 years this afternoon, Sunday.

It’s understood he sustained serious injuries as a result of a fall and he never recovered.

He was perhaps best known for his work as a commentator on British Eurosport where his passion and knowledge of the sport endeared him to fans all over the world.

He was quick-witted and had an amazing ability to bring the viewer to the roadside of any race, be it the Milk Race which he worked on for years or indeed the likes of Paris-Roubaix and the Tour de France.

Details of his death were unclear at the time of publishing but his passing leaves an indelible mark on the profession he mastered for decades.

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Irish fans will have known him well and for many he had as much a part to play for bringing more and more cyclists into the sport as two men he commentated on for over a decade – Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche.

Anyone who watched the 1992 version of Milan-San Remo is likely to recall this stunning commentary, some of which went like this:

“And it’s Kelly in there as well! A previous winner of the race; what a finish we’re going to have.

“The firemen are behind pumping in the coals to try to catch Argentin, anybody with anything left in their legs is trying to get in position before the descent of the Poggio.

“The gap still looks about the same and Kelly is leading the chase. He’s got to do that because Sorenson is behind him and Sorenson won’t do any work at all.

“Kelly into fourth spot on the road at the moment. Yet again another bend and Argentin will be able to look behind.

“And Kelly’s looking very keen. And Kelly’s rocking out the saddle and it looks like he’s got away from Sorenson.

“Just waiting to see where Sean Kelly is again. One of the oldest men in the sport and still with all that exuberance.

“And now with two young twins to feed as well, he’ll be going for that money. A great competitor.

“Look at this! This is... awww... the Italian crowd have just been told that Kelly has caught Argentin and they’ve all gone awww!

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"The depression has set in. Kelly now beginning to wind it up. The crowd can now see that it’s the Italian versus the Irishman. Kelly’s got away. Kelly’s going to get it! Kelly gets it!”

May he rest in peace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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