Open letter to Phil Liggett

Dear Phil,

I wanted to express my condolences on losing your dear friend Paul. You and Paul have had a profound effect on my life. I have been enjoying your commentary since the Indurain era in the 1990s. The gift of YouTube has given me hours upon hours of your vintage episodes. I have watched, re-watched, and re-re-watched all the modern stages of le tour. The magic of your partnership has been lovingly remembered in eulogies all over the globe. I wanted to share my own personal feelings. Listening to your voices has a calming and uplifting effect. I love the soaring language, interspersed with comedy, self-deprecation, and historical references. There are so many memorable quotes you have together. It is almost unbelievable that you two men could rap for so many hours. I have countless anecdotes. I recall one dreary TDF flat stage where you and Paul discussed the virtues of bananas for about 10 minutes. I still laugh about that. I think Paul loved bananas, but you hated them. My favorite Paul expression remains: “that move has left him asphyxiated a fraction”. Hilarious stuff.

Paul Sherwen (left) and Phil Liggett at Paris-Roubaix (Picture: Watson)

One aspect of Paul’s legacy was unknown to me, that of an inspirational figure to his teammates. I wish I had known that before. Now I see it in him and elevates my respect even more. There was a period in my life when I entered a deep depression. My treatment was watching your TDF commentary on YouTube. I would watch the entire tours back to back. Your inspirational voices gave me an escape into another world of athleticism, wit, and knowledge. You and Paul would elevate the TDF from a mere bike race into an international phenomenon.

Phil and Paul will forever be remembered as a unique creative duo, a la Lennon and McCartney. Paul’s death has saddened me tremendously. I cannot begin to understand how you must feel. I dearly hope that you will continue to commentate. Paris Roubaix and the TDF will not be the same without your voice. No other Phil Liggett foil could replace Paul, but I dearly hope you will not retire.

Best wishes Phil

Alec Hull