Phil Liggett

Philip " Phil" Alexander Liggett, MBE ( born August 11, 1943 in Bebington ) is an English sports journalist - commentator and former racing cyclist

Career in journalism

Phil Liggett was an amateur cyclist and had a professional contract in his pocket when he chose the profession of journalism. He began his career with the cycling magazine Cycling wrote as a freelancer for The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph and The Observer. In 1997 he was an international editor of Cycle Sport. He also authored books.

Liggett has also worked as a TV commentator. By 2012, he reported of 13 Olympics and 40 sweeps of the Tour de France. He also comments on other sports such as triathlon and ski jumping. He has worked in the UK for ITV, for U.S. broadcasters such as ABC, CBS and NBC as well as Australian broadcasters.

Phil Liggett is known for its colorful expression with literary allusions. 2005, a collection of his Liggettisms was published in a book.

Involvement in cycling

From 1972 to 1993 Liggett was sports director of the Milk Race. He was Vice - President of the Association Internationale des Courses Organisateurs Cycliste Through his involvement in the organization of cycling. In 1973 he was at the age of 30 years to become the youngest UCI commissaire. He was also President of the Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC ).

Liggett and Armstrong

Liggett was for many years a supporter of Lance Armstrong and was committed to the Livestrong Foundation. However, in October 2012, he said he would find it unlikely that Armstrong should have never doped. He expressed disappointment at having been lied to by Armstrong, as he had interviewed him in 2003 about doping. For the Australian film The World According to Lance he was interviewed.

Miscellaneous

Phil Liggett lives in Hertfordshire, but also has a house and a farm in South Africa. He was appointed MBE in 2005. In 2009 he was inducted into the British Cycling Hall of Fame.

Works

• Editor: The complete book of cycling performance. London Collins Willow. In 1994.
• With Anthony Bell: The fastest man on two wheels. In pursuit of Chris Boardman. London. Boxtree in association with Cycling Weekly, 1994.
• Foreword in: Mr Tom. The true story of Tom Simpson Norwich. Mousehold Press in association with Sport & Publicity, London, 2000.
• Tour de France for Dummies: With James Raia and Sammarye. Hoboken, N. J.; [ Great Britain] Wiley, 2005.
• 1988 Tour de France. London. Harrap, published in association with Channel Four Television Company, 1988.