Tour de France cycling commentator Ned Boulting will be riding into the Lighthouse at Poole for his one-man stage show this month.
‘Retour de Ned’ is a theatrical road map for anyone aspiring to wear the yellow jersey on the Champs Elysées – a rough guide to the tactics and challenges needed to be deployed to win the biggest bike race in the world.
Ned, ITV’s lead commentator, said: “My last stage show tour was in 2018 so I’m excited to be getting back out there. Along the way, there will be time to call to mind the greatest racers of the age, and to do hopelessly bad impressions of them.
“There will be scope to celebrate all that is French about France, and all that is ‘tourish’ about the Tour – stuff like ignoring 12th century cathedrals, peeing at the side of the road, pushing spectators over, punching demonstrators and generally behaving like a shaven-legged hooligan for a month while riding over entire mountain ranges.”
Ned’s visit to Poole on Tuesday, October 11, is the third leg of a 29-date tour which will see him travel up and down the country.
He said: “Join me for another ride through the peaks and troughs of the silliest and the grandest month of the year. I’ll hand out copious, thoroughly unreliable advice on How To Win The Tour de France.
“Or if not that, then at least How To Watch It On The Telly.”
Ned’s love affair with the Tour de France began in 2003 and the 2022 edition was his twentieth spent working behind the mic at the world’s biggest cycle race.
David Millar, former pro cyclist and Ned’s Tour de France co-commentator for the last eight years, said: “If it’s anything like the previous editions then you’re guaranteed to leave the theatre with a smile on your face.
“Ned provides a fantastic look behind the scenes at the tour and you’ll get a small insight into what I must put up with travelling around France with Ned for a month every July.”
Tickets are £28. To book call 01202 280000 or visit lighthousepoole.co.uk.