The end of the Tour de France on July 27 marks not only the conclusion of the prestigious bike race but also the end of free-to-air coverage in the UK after 40 years. Over the decades, the format and presenters have evolved, but the quality of coverage has remained high. Gary Imlach, the face of cycling coverage, reflects on his 35-year journey with gratitude and a commitment to quality broadcasting despite the emotions surrounding the end of an era. He also pays tribute to those who influenced the show, underscoring a sense of legacy.
As he nears the finish of his own Grand Tour it seems apposite to ask the question put to countless out-of-breath stage winners down the years.
It's sad that it's ending but I'm grateful, too, because you can't complain after a 35-year run from what I initially thought was a freelance job.
In an increasingly fragmented industry, though, Imlach is established as the face of cycling on terrestrial TV, blending journalistic rigour with a drily humorous style.
Inevitably, I've also been thinking about people who are no longer here like director Steve Docherty, who shaped the show for so long.
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