Robbie McEwen, formerly the world's best sprinter, has been let go from his cycling commentary job by the Australian broadcaster he worked for for years and has expressed his annoyance.
He has been let go from the job he did for the SBS Cycling Central commentary team, including on all major races such as the Tour de France. McEwen took to social media to confirm he had lost the gig, making those remarks just after he had finished co-commentating on the Australian national road race championships yesterday.
A spokesperson for SBS confirmed the news, with the channel thanking McEwen, who won the Tour de France green jersey three times, for his contribution but adding SBS planned to take a “different approach” with its cycling coverage and commentary this year.
“Robbie has been a valued member of our cycling commentary line-up for a number of events over the last six years,” the spokesperson said.
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“But we’re exploring a different approach in 2022. While his contract has come to an end, we thank Robbie for all that he’s brought to the role during his time with us.”
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McEwen was clearly not happy with the move and was not slow to vent that annoyance. He posted a Tweet congratulating the riders who rode the Australian nationals and then said he had lost the commentary job./
"You’ll no longer hear me on comms on any SBS cycling broadcast. They have axed me from the team to 'deliver their broadcast differently'," he said.
"I didn’t get a valid explanation and I’m assuming someone is pushing their own agenda in axing me. I loved doing it and I’m really disappointed. Direct your opinions to @CyclingCentral @SBSSport and attn to the executive producer if you’d like to let them know how you feel about it."
McEwen (49) won 12 stages in the Tour and 12 at the Giro in a career that spanned 17 years. He has been a very popular commentator in Australia and many fans expressed their shock at the fact he would no longer be part of the commentary team.
The fact he his contract has not been renewed comes just three months after Mike Tomalaris, the former SBS anchor broadcaster for its cycling coverage, was dropped by the channel, where he worked for 34 years.
