Australian cycling icon Robbie McEwen is fuming after being cut from SBS’ commentary team.
The 49-year-old, who won 12 stages of the Tour de France and was crowned the green jersey sprint champion of the famous race three times, lost his gig with the public broadcaster recently, taking to social media to announce the news.
“Great #roadnats22 National Champs road races. Congrats to the riders who gave us the spectacle. You’ll no longer hear me on comms on any @sbs cycling broadcast. They have axed me from the team to ‘deliver their broadcast differently’,” McEwen tweeted.
“I didn’t get a valid explanation and I’m assuming someone is pushing their own agenda in axing me. I loved doing it & I’m really disappointed. Direct your opinions to @CyclingCentral @SBSSport & attn to the executive producer if you’d like to let them know how you feel about it.”
In a statement, SBS said: “Robbie has been a valued member of our cycling commentary line-up for a number of events over the last six years, but we’re exploring a different approach in 2022.
“While his contract has come to an end, we thank Robbie for all that he’s brought to the role during his time with us.”
McEwen doesn’t believe budgetary reasons were behind his axing and he slammed SBS for being “out of touch” with viewers.
“I don’t believe budget has anything to do with it because I would have taken a cut in the daily rate if that’s what was needed,” McEwen told Nine newspapers this week. “But that was never in the discussion. And budget cuts wouldn’t see more people added to the broadcast team, which seems to be happening.
“I don’t expect SBS to tell the real story behind the change, and they’ll just weather the storm on social media and wait for it to blow over.
“The viewers, who SBS claim are the most important people when it comes to the broadcast, are unanimous. The executive is/are out of touch with the audience and have read the room completely wrong.
“I don’t want to be reinstated to work with those who made this decision, but I want them to feel the wrath of the people they are letting down – the viewers, who are also the taxpayers who fund SBS.”
Fellow Aussie cyclist Richie Porte, who finished third overall at the 2020 Tour de France, threw his support behind McEwen on Instagram after it was revealed he would no longer be commentating at SBS.
“Yes he’s a mate but @robbiemcewen is one of the best in the commentary game and one of the all time cycling greats. #themindboggles,” Porte wrote, calling the decision to axe him a “ridiculous decision”.
On Twitter this week, McEwen reacted to the amount of support he’s received but urged people not to abuse other commentators when defending him.
“As much as I appreciate the groundswell of support over the last 24hrs re my axing from
@SBSSport, it’s not about throwing shade on anyone who remains on the broadcast team. It’s not ok to abuse them online. Please stay focused on who is actually responsible for the decision,” he tweeted.
The controversy follows on from veteran broadcaster Mike Tomalaris parting ways with SBS after 34 years with the network. Cycling fans were stunned when it was announced late last year the face of SBS’ Tour de France coverage was leaving the station.
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald in November, Tomalaris revealed he was an “emotional wreck” and in a dark place after his sudden exit.
“It made me think of the people that I’ve lost through suicide,” he said. “And even though I never considered doing any damage to myself, it did cross my mind for the very first time.
“It took me about 14 days to get over the shock and the shock turned to anger and my mental health was very unstable for the first time in my life.”