Ned Boulting
The witty, literary-minded commentator who brought the epic drama of the Tour de France into British living rooms with poetic flair.
Born 1969 (age 57)·British sports commentator·Birthday: July 11·Generation X
Biography
Ned Boulting did not set out to become the voice of cycling in Britain. An English literature graduate, he began his career in local radio before moving to ITV in the early 2000s, initially covering football and darts. In 2003, he was sent to cover the Tour de France for ITV News—and was instantly, hopelessly hooked. What began as a news assignment evolved into a lifelong passion. Boulting became the anchor of ITV's Tour coverage, his erudite, slightly bewildered, and deeply enthusiastic commentary guiding viewers through the Alps, the Pyrenees, and the sport's complex politics. He authored several popular books on cycling, blending travelogue, history, and self-deprecating humor. His podcast, 'The Cycling Podcast,' and his documentary work, including the film 'The Road to Roubaix,' have cemented his status as a storyteller who understands that cycling is about more than just racing; it's about landscape, suffering, and human endeavor.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Ned was born in 1969, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ned Was Born
The biggest hits of 1969
#1 Movie
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Best Picture
Midnight Cowboy
#1 TV Show
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Ned's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1969Born
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1974Started school
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1982Became a teenager
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1985Could drive
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1987Could vote
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1990Turned 21
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1999Turned 30
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2009Turned 40
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 50
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 57 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Has been the lead presenter and commentator for ITV's coverage of the Tour de France since the mid-2000s.
- Authored multiple bestselling books on cycling, including 'How I Won the Yellow Jumper' and 'On the Road Bike.'
- Co-founded and regularly contributes to 'The Cycling Podcast,' one of the sport's most popular audio series.
- Presented live football for ITV, including coverage of the FA Cup and England internationals, and has been a presenter for Premier League darts coverage.
Did You Know?
His first name is actually Norris, but he has always been known as Ned.
He once attempted to ride the entire route of the Tour de France one week ahead of the race, chronicled in his book '192.'
Boulting is a passionate supporter of Brentford Football Club.
He interviewed David Beckham for ITV in Beckham's first major interview after retiring from professional football.
“Cycling is a sport that lends itself to storytelling because it's so epic. It's a moving panorama of human endeavor.”
