Who are the Tour de France commentators?

Who are the Tour de France commentators?

Find out who's behind the mic and reporting on the ground for the respective Tour de France broadcasters


The Tour de France is cycling’s biggest event and transcends the everyday fans of the sport to reach millions of people across the world. And because of this heightened level of interest, TV channels up their coverage, providing start-to-finish live coverage as well as in-depth pre- and post-show talks, highlights, and analysis. 

So, with every one tuning in for a glimpse of the action, recruiting the top sport’s commentators and pundits to scrutinise the goings on in the race is an important job for the TV bosses. So, who are the people behind the voices we hear every day for five hours a day? We take a look at some of the commentators for this year’s race.

United Kingdom - ITV Tour de France commentators

2025 is the last year that long-time broadcaster ITV will be showing the Tour de France on free-to-air television in the UK. The channel's line-up of commentators has been set for some time. Commentary veteran Phil Liggett and the late Paul Sherwen provided commentary from a US feed up until 2016, when ITV brought in their own commentators. Journalist (and Rouleur columnist) Ned Boulting took over the mic along with former British pro and four-time Tour de France stage winner David Millar, and the pair have been working on the Tour for ITV ever since. Presenter Gary Imlach hosts ITV’s highlights show for each stage.

David MillarDavid Millar provides analysis commentary for ITV (Getty Images)

United Kingdom - TNT/Discovery+ Tour de France commentators

In the commentary box for Discovery+/TNT is commentator Rob Hatch, who has been on TNT's cycling coverage for a long time, and shares the lead commentary duty with another long-time Eurosport commentator Carlton Kirby, interchanging throughout the day. They are also joined by four-time green jersey winner Sean Kelly, 12-time stage winner Robbie McEwen, and former British champion Adam Blythe. There's also the voice of Jonathan Harris-Bass (@jhbfoodiecyclist) from HQ to talk about food and other stuff when the action lulls.

The analysis show titled The Breakaway either side of the race is hosted by journalist and presenter (and Rouleur columnist) Orla Chennaoui. She is joined every day by McEwen, Blythe, and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Dani Rowe in the studio to discuss the daily happenings.

On the ground at the race, former pro Hannah Walker and Anders Mieke, interview riders before and after each stage. On the back of the motorbike, following the peloton is Grand Tour stage winner Jens Voigt, former pro Matt Stephens, and Blythe, at different points in the three-week race.

United States - NBC Sports Tour de France commentators 

Phil Liggett and Bob Roll NBCPhil Liggett and Bob Roll host the NBC cycling coverage for the Tour de France (Getty Images)

Over in the US, British commentator and journalist Phil Liggett is covering his 52nd edition of the Tour de France, having first travelled to the Tour in 1973. He's joined by former US pro Bob Roll on co-comms, with NBC journalist Steve Porino and former South African pro (and Tour de France stage winner) Robbie Hunter reporting from the ground.

As well as hosting wall-to-wall coverage, NBC also has analysis programmes for each stage, with retired US pro and Vuelta a España winner Chris Horner joined by another retired American pro, Christian Vande Velde, to provide expert insight. Presenter Paul Burmeister hosts the pre- and post-race shows.

Paul Burmeister will host daily pre-race and post-race studio coverage alongside Brent Bookwalter and Tejay van Garderen, who is making his NBC Sports debut as a Tour de France analyst.

Italy - Rai and Eurosport

Rai, Italy’s public broadcaster, has secured exclusive free-to-air rights to the men’s Tour from 2026 through 2030. Longtime cycling commentator Francesco Pancani will lead the coverage, with Stefano Rizzato handling pre- and post-stage analysis. Technical commentary will be shared between Stefano Garzelli — one of Italy’s top climbers and winner of the 2000 Giro d’Italia — and Davide Cassani, a former pro with two Giro stage wins and a former coach of the Italian national team.

Meanwhile, Eurosport Italia will continue to offer in-depth coverage on its subscription platforms. Commentary will be provided by Luca Gregorio, alongside Riccardo Magrini, a former pro and stage winner at both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France in 1983. Technical insights will come from Wladimir Belli and Moreno Moser, who will alternate every 10 days. Both are former professionals: Belli competed in over 20 Grand Tours with strong results, while Moser is the nephew of Francesco Moser.

Australia - SBS

For the 2025 Tour de France, SBS has put together a strong team of expert commentators. Matthew Keenan leads the coverage. He's joined by Simon Gerrans, a Tour stage winner and yellow jersey wearer who offers tactical insights from a rider’s perspective. Dr Bridie O’Donnell adds a scientific edge, breaking down performance and race strategy. David McKenzie, a former Giro stage winner, brings solid race experience and on-the-ground reporting, while Christophe Mallet rounds out the team with cultural context and interviews from inside the race.

Adding a fresh dimension to the broadcast, recently retired sprinter Caleb Ewan appears as a guest commentator, offering firsthand insight into the pressures and tactics of sprint finishes

READ MORE

Strength in numbers: FDJ United-Suez powers Vollering to her long-awaited Giro moment

Strength in numbers: FDJ United-Suez powers Vollering to her long-awaited Giro moment

The Dutch star’s first Giro stage victory underlines her decision to renew her contract with Stephen Delcourt’s team for another two years. FDJ’s strength is...

Read more
Josh Kench was the Giro d'Italia's unlikeliest finisher: 'It’s been a rollercoaster'

Josh Kench was the Giro d'Italia's unlikeliest finisher: 'It’s been a rollercoaster'

Unwanted by any European team, New Zealander Josh Kench found himself racing in China for two seasons. Through a valuable connection he was given a...

Read more
'He has everything to be a Grand Tour winner': Lidl-Trek sound note of optimism over Juan Ayuso's return

'He has everything to be a Grand Tour winner': Lidl-Trek sound note of optimism over Juan Ayuso's return

Juan Ayuso will be one of the favourites when one-week stage racing returns at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Beyond that he'll be targeting a Tour de...

Read more
‘I’ve worked really hard to get to this point again’: Anna van der Breggen strikes back

‘I’ve worked really hard to get to this point again’: Anna van der Breggen strikes back

On a brutal  time trial stage of the Giro d'Italia Women, the SD Worx-Protime rider stunned her rivals by claiming a lead of over a...

Read more
"I don't find it hard to suffer": Antonia Niedermaier's accidental climb to the top

"I don't find it hard to suffer": Antonia Niedermaier's accidental climb to the top

With under-23 world titles and Giro d'Italia Women stage victories, Antonia Niedermaier's career in professional cycling has been a whirlwind success story. The former ski...

Read more
Visma-Lease a Bike's urgent need for a new title sponsor reflects cycling's uncomfortable financial reality

Visma-Lease a Bike's urgent need for a new title sponsor reflects cycling's uncomfortable financial reality

Success can't guarantee you longevity, it seems. Visma-Lease a Bike's search for a new title sponsor is less a reflection on the team's value, and...

Read more

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE