RSN confirms Daniel Harford as new breakfast host

THE first big move of what is expected to be a hectic time in the world of radio has gone down with Daniel Harford confirmed as the new breakfast host at RSN 927.

Daniel Harford has joined RSN. Picture: Kylie Else

THE first big move of what is expected to be a hectic time in the world of radio has gone down with Daniel Harford confirmed as the new breakfast host at RSN 927.

Harford has been a popular figure at SEN where he hosted the afternoon show before moving to drive alongside Mark Allen this year.

The pending arrival of Garry Lyon into the breakfast slot at SEN has triggered a major revamp which has put a number of noses out of place.

It was unclear what role Harford was going to play next year given management are planning to move David Schwarz from breakfast back to the drive slot.

The futures of breakfast co-host Francis Leach and afternoon host Andy Maher remain up in the air.

RSN is keen for Harford, who played 162 games with Hawthorn and Carlton to broaden the station’s audience.

It’s understood the net has been cast wide to find his co-host with a number of “surprising” names on the radar.

Earlier this month RSN parted ways with long-time hosts Michael Christian and Mick McGuane.

Program director John Thwaites said the new-look breakfast program would start early next year.

“We’re looking forward to Daniel bringing his talent, enthusiasm, knowledge and passion for sport and racing to RSN 927,” Thwaites said.

CADEL’S NEW MOUNTAIN

CADEL Evans is going back to his roots.

The 2011 Tour de France winner is dusting off his mountain bike to take on the world’s toughest event, Cape Epic, in South Africa.

Evans started his career as a mountain biker and won the World Cup in 1998 and 1999 before finishing seventh in the men’s cross-country mountain bike race at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The Cape Epic has been described as the Tour de France of mountain biking - a 700km race that lasts eight days where you compete in teams of two and have to stay together for the duration to qualify as a finisher.

Cadel Evans will contest the Cape Epic mountain bike event in South Africa. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

So who would be able to keep up with Evans?

What about an American who jointly holds the record of 17 Tour de France appearances?

George Hincapie was a teammate of Evans’ when he won the race in 2011 and will again come to the aid of the Australian in next year’s event.

He has never been to South Africa or raced a mountain bike but has a simple explanation for why he’ll be taking up the challenge: “Cadel made me do it.”

MODEL RINGS BELL

One mystery we can reveal is the identity of the Essendon model from the back page of today’s Herald Sun.

The man wearing the question mark jumper isn’t Friday night’s No.1 draft pick, it’s actually ruckman Tom Bellchambers who has dabbled in the modelling world previously.

Today’s back page of the Herald Sun.

Tom Bellchambers was the model used. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

THE WHISPER

Not all the whispering in the recruiting ranks has been about the No.1 pick with a new industry romance getting tongues wagging.