International cycling community and Tour Down Under mourns the death of legendary commentator Paul Sherwen
The international cycling community is in shock at the sudden death of legendary broadcaster Paul Sherwen just three days after he shared his excitement at booking his ticket to return to Adelaide for the Tour Down Under in January.
THE international cycling community is in shock at the sudden death of legendary broadcaster Paul Sherwen just three days after he shared his excitement at booking his ticket to return to Adelaide for the Tour Down Under in January.
One of the sport’s great personalities and one half of the iconic commentary pairing with Phil Liggett, Sherwen passed away at the age of 62 while believed to be at home in Uganda.
The former British national champion who rode the Tour de France seven times has been coming to Adelaide for the TDU for more than 15 years and most recently to spearhead its TV commentary and to host the legend’s night dinner.
But his smiling face will also be missed at stage starts and finishes and even in the foyer of the Hilton Hotel where he would regularly stop to chat with riders, fans and his media colleagues.
TDU race director Mike Turtur said Sherwen’s death was a “terrible shock”.
“He’s one of the nice people of the world we’ve lost way too early,” Turtur said.
“He will be a massive loss to the race, he loved coming here and Phil Liggett will be devastated.
“It’s a sad time for all of us in our race but the sport in general.
“His involvement with us has been nothing but exceptional, everything has been spot on, and he’s gone over and above what we expected him to do.
“He loved coming here, he Tweeted about the new Willunga finish and how he was really looking forward to it and had his tickets booked.
“To his family and friends we send our deepest condolences, it’s shocking.”
Three days ago Sherwen replied to a Tweet about the Tour Down Under saying:
“Got my ticket booked already - can’t wait #stinginthetail”, which was in reference to the hill-top finish on Willunga on the final stage.
While Liggett has been to every edition of the Tour Down Under since its inception in 1999, Sherwen joined him soon after and together they have become part of the furniture of the race.
As well as their official TDU duties, the pair would host other sponsor engagements including the SA Press Club’s annual pre-race luncheon.
“If you stopped Paul he’d have a chat and lend his time, no problem at all,” Turtur said.
“I think the way Paul reported on the sport he was always honest and with so much integrity and that’s why he was so respected.
“The riders knew he was one of them from a competition point of view and as a journalist he made sure he reported the facts and and knew what he was talking about, he had great respect from all the athletes.
“It’s yet to be determined whether Phil will join us (in January) but knowing Phil like I do I think he would make every effort to honour Paul but we’ll wait and see.”
Sherwen was born in the UK but grew up in Africa and turned professional in France at the age of 22.
He rode the Tour de France seven times and was a tough, relentless climber who also had top 15 finishes in Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix. In 1986 and 1987 he became the British national circuit race and road race champion.
He was however best known for his broadcasting work in the sport and this year’s Tour de France was his 33rd behind the microphone.
Sherwen’s death sparked a wave of online tributes from the international cycling community including from Lance Armstrong, Allan Peiper, Robbie McEwen and Anna Meares.