Where has he gone?

I have been asking the same question. Come on ITV4 spill the details why no Chris? And why replace him with that American "Armstrong for the yellow" Chappy. Not as good as Chris.

I have been wondering where Chris has gone and presumed he had other commercial interests going on at the moment.  However, I must defend Bob Roll [the American] who has brought further insight into the analysis. He seems articulate and forthright and this is welcome in today's media.

Kieron

I believe he's having some time off, riding the Etape on Monday and will be back on Wednesday

Chris will be back with us on Wednesday.

Oh no.  Get rid of the biased, mostly not right, bloke who spoils the whole programme.  His unsportsmanlike remarks about Armstrong returning were a shock to hear.   Always thought you a decent sports Chris now realise it is sour grapes from a 'has been' wanting to keep his name in the spotlight because you think so much of yourself.  Not nice is it when someone says something like that about you and all the hard work you have given in the past to your sport - but that just about sums up your attitude to a great biker.  Don't know a sportsman who wouldn't want to enjoy being part of their sport for as long as physically possible.  Time to quit Chris.

limosa:

Oh no.  Get rid of the biased, mostly not right, bloke who spoils the whole programme. 

 Have to agree to be honest, I find him totally boring to listen to, as far as I am aware he has only played a minor role riding the tour and I do not remember him ever finishing yet he pertains to speak authoritatively about riders who have rode full tours, I prefer it when he is absent.    

Have to disagree on this one.  Boardman wore the yellow jersey three times-that puts him in the elite, and then there's The Hour record which he won three times and his input into the recent Beijing Olympic cycling team; the guy has proved himself on and off the saddle and as such he is an authoritative voice.  Okay,  maybe he's not the most gifted of commentators but he adds a, wait for it, authoritative voice to the programme and I quite like his dry wit and grounded demeanor; it contrasts well with Ned and Matt and complements Gary's similar style.  Anyway, think yourself lucky we could be listening to Sean Kelly...

(haven't really caught the anti-lance vibe either, but then I'm not his biggest fan)

I never used to like Boardman - too dour and lacking in humour. Much prefer him now. And as for his comments about Armstrong, at least he's honest and not cowed into drinking the Amrstrong Koolaid. It's great when the analysts have the cojones to stand up to Armstrong's bullying and selfish tactics. I don't think the ITV4 coverage could be improved, Imlach is the consummate pro from the American Football days onwards, Ned Boulting is excellent and I have really been impressed with Boardman being forthright. Thanks goodness ITV4 isn't just another Amrstrong hagiographic channel.

I tell you what - say one bad, or even slightly critical, thing about Armstrong and they come pouring out of the woodwork. Does the Armstrong contingent work on the Scientology premise of shutting down any and all criticism?

How anyone could find Chris Boardman offensive is beyond me. If anything, he is a pretty bland commentator whose role is (I would say) fairly limited to tiny soundbursts. I'm sure there are other articulate riders out there (wouldn't David Millar be great?!) but he does alright for what he does.

 Could we all just give these guys a bit of a break?

Right there with you beebsy, David MIllar would be an inspired choice, anyone who compares Tom Simpson to Icarus has got to be worth listening to.  But would his past misdemeanors remove from him from contention-probably, which would be a shame as the lad's smart.

Definitely a fan of Armstrong, but also plenty of others, including Basso, Ekimov, Hincapie, Vandelvelde and Contador, as well as our own guys who done great this tour especially.  I'm now a huge fan of Popovych.

I was also a fan of Boardman, totally aware of what he has done in the past, in particular his great Olympic achievements and watched them all which made it all the more of a shock when he started and finished the tour with his unsportsmanlike comments.  They are not worthy of a great sportsman.  I choose to watch ITV coverage because I prefer the commentators but Boardman has overstepped the mark, he has to go.

It's not something you can live down if you happen to be a phenominal sportsman, they are the world over (thankfully).  Why criticize those who excel and do good - incredibly odd. 

Something Chris said which surprised me, if I picked up correctly. - After returning from his week off, he had ridden the etape, and said it was the first time he'd been 2+hrs in the saddle for years (a decade, I think he said?)

Gave the impression he doesn't have much enthusiasm for the bike himself these days. - Bizarre.? - His lack of interest gave impression he was just there for the TV fees, and not really an ambassador for the sport.

I do respect his TT victories, which is a very British obsession, but I thought ITV would do better to bring in a personality with greater breadth of experience, and who shows a bit more infectious enthusiasm for cycling & racing.  - Ideally, we want TV coverage to inspire punters to get out & ride, just for the fun of it.