Friday Feature EXCLUSIVE: Up close & personal with Iñigo Asensio

Inigo Asensi at work (image courtesy of Joserra Alvarez)

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

GP Miguel Indurain review

Moreno with Miguel indurain (image courtesy of Susi Goetze CyclingInside)

Moreno with Miguel Indurain (image courtesy of Susi Goetze CyclingInside)

Daniel Moreno (Katusha) surged at just the right moment on the final testing climb [Sheree would know, she rode up it twice – Ed] to the Basilica del Puy to claim his second victory of the season in yesterday’s GP Miguel Indurain, in Estella, Navarra in northern Spain. Mikel Landa (Euskaltel-Euskadi) was two seconds back in second while Angel Madrazo (Movistar) rounded out the podium some seven seconds back.

The 179.3km race started in the town’s Plaza de los Fueros, under a gloriously blue sky, watched by every man, woman, child and dog from the town and surrounding area. Continue reading