Daniel Mangeas
Encyclopedia
Daniel Mangeas, is a former baker who has been the commentator of the Tour de France
and other important cycle races in France
and Belgium
since 1974. He commentates on 200 events a year, but tries to never speak for the rest of the day after races, to preserve his voice.
in Normandy
, he was born in Mortain
(Manche). He comes from a cycling family. He saw the Tour de France for the first time at four years old. He also watched his cousin ride. He worked as a baker for 10 years in Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët
before being discovered by Albert Bouvet
, the deputy director of the Tour de France. Mangeas recounted in an interview with Vélo 101 that he had commentated on table-football games among friends when he was a child, and commented on his first bike race when he was 15 years old.
at 21, was heard by Albert Bouvet and recruited for the 1974 Tour de France
as deputy speaker. He rode ahead of the race in an air-conditioned Chevrolet
("which were pretty rare at the time") to stand in for the main speaker, Pierre Shori. Shori's car broke down on the Saint-Lary-Soulan
stage and Mangeas had to take over at the finish. Until then he had spoken only at the starts and at time trial
s. He said:
He became the main speaker two years later, presenting riders at the start of each day's race for two hours, then driving the length of the race and commentating the last 50 km at the finish.
Mangeas' commentating has been praised for its energy and his knowledge of details about each rider. On the other hand, he is criticised for presenting an over-optimistic view of the sport of cycling.
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
and other important cycle races in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
since 1974. He commentates on 200 events a year, but tries to never speak for the rest of the day after races, to preserve his voice.
Origins
Mangeas is from Saint-Martin-de-LandellesSaint-Martin-de-Landelles
Saint-Martin-de-Landelles is a commune in the Manche department in Normandy in north-western France.-References:*...
in Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
, he was born in Mortain
Mortain
Mortain is a commune in the Manche department in Normandy in north-western France.-Geography:Mortain is situated on a rocky hill rising above the gorge of the Cance, a tributary of the Sélune.-Administration:Mortain is the seat of a canton...
(Manche). He comes from a cycling family. He saw the Tour de France for the first time at four years old. He also watched his cousin ride. He worked as a baker for 10 years in Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët
Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët
Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët is a commune in the Manche department in Normandy in north-western France.It is approximately 50 miles east of St. Malo and a similar distance northeast of Rennes.-Heraldry:-References:*...
before being discovered by Albert Bouvet
Albert Bouvet
Albert Bouvet at Mellé, Ille-et-Vilaine near Fougères in Brittany is a former French professional bicycle racer on road and track. He won Paris–Tours in 1956 and remained the last Frenchman to win until Jacky Durand won in 1998...
, the deputy director of the Tour de France. Mangeas recounted in an interview with Vélo 101 that he had commentated on table-football games among friends when he was a child, and commented on his first bike race when he was 15 years old.
Tour de France
He continued commentating after finishing his national serviceNational service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
at 21, was heard by Albert Bouvet and recruited for the 1974 Tour de France
1974 Tour de France
The 1974 Tour de France was the 61st Tour de France, taking place June 27 to July 21, 1974. It consisted of 22 stages over 4098 km, ridden at an average speed of 35.241 km/h...
as deputy speaker. He rode ahead of the race in an air-conditioned Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
("which were pretty rare at the time") to stand in for the main speaker, Pierre Shori. Shori's car broke down on the Saint-Lary-Soulan
Saint-Lary-Soulan
Saint-Lary-Soulan is a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France.-Geography:Saint-Lary is located in Hautes-Pyrénées 80 km south of the départements capital Tarbes, next to the Le Néouvielle Nature Reserve and the Pyrenees National Park and is a 20 minute drive to...
stage and Mangeas had to take over at the finish. Until then he had spoken only at the starts and at time trial
Time trial
In many racing sports an athlete will compete in a time trial against the clock to secure the fastest time. In cycling, for example, a time trial can be a single track cycling event, or an individual or team time trial on the road, and either or both of the latter may form components of...
s. He said:
He became the main speaker two years later, presenting riders at the start of each day's race for two hours, then driving the length of the race and commentating the last 50 km at the finish.
Mangeas' commentating has been praised for its energy and his knowledge of details about each rider. On the other hand, he is criticised for presenting an over-optimistic view of the sport of cycling.