Inigo Asensi at work (image courtesy of Joserra Alvarez)

I’m back in my favourite spot on the VeloVoices sofa sipping an espresso and chatting with Iñigo Asensio who – among many other things – commentates live at all professional cycle races in the Basque country, in Basque. He is to Basque cycling what Daniel Mangeas is to French, but with a twist.

Let me explain. While spectators near to the finish line at French races generally have the benefit of a big screen to watch the action unfold, they frequently don’t in Spain. It’s left to the commentators to convey, as expressively as possible, what’s going on. The skills required to be, in effect, a radio commentator are different, and arguably broader, than those for television. Continue reading →