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Bob Roll
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Bob Roll (born July 7, 1960) is an American former professional cyclist, author, and television sports commentator. He was a member of the 7-Eleven team until 1990 and competed for the Motorola team in 1991. In 1992 Roll moved to Greg LeMond's Z team and added mountain biking to his racing accomplishments. Roll continued racing mountain bikes professionally through 1998.
Key Information
He has written Bobke: A Ride on the Wild Side of Cycling, Bobke II, and two Tour de France Companion volumes. ("Bobke" is Southern Dutch for "Bobby".) He has also had many columns published in VeloNews.
Cycling career
[edit]Roll started cycling in 1981 in his home region of Northern California. He spent two years in the States racing before heading to Belgium to race. Two years later he became a professional cyclist for 7-Eleven: his first race was the 1985 Giro d'Italia.[1] During the 1988 Giro d'Italia Roll's job as a domestique pushed him to the limit, causing him to pass out at the finish and his heart to stop beating.[2]
In 1998 a young Lance Armstrong, continuing to recover from testicular cancer, had recently dropped out of the Paris–Nice cycling race. Armstrong's training coach, Chris Carmichael, invited Roll to journey to Boone, North Carolina, to talk with Lance and do training rides with the young Armstrong for several days.[3][4] Armstrong was extremely discouraged by his recent European cycling results and was close to retiring. Armstrong was refocused after eight long days riding in the rain with Roll, whose tale of the ride is in Bobke II;[5] Armstrong's is in It's Not About the Bike.[6]
Post cycling
[edit]Roll continues to enjoy riding road and mountain bicycles for recreation, and is a member of the veteran cable television broadcasting team (along with Phil Liggett, MBE and the late Paul Sherwen) who serve as road cycling expert-commentators for the NBC Sports Network cable network's coverage of the Tour de France, Vuelta a España, Giro d'Italia, Paris–Roubaix, Tour of California, and other international cycling road races.[7]
Roll has appeared in a series of Road ID Tour de France television commercials as himself, riding a bus along with "Tour Mania" (a costumed-disguised rowdy faux rock group played by well-known professional cyclists, such as George Hincapie).
Major results
[edit]
- 1985
- 10th Overall Coors Classic
- 1st Stage 9
- 1986
- 1st Stage 3 Rocky Mountains Classic
- 1st Stage 3 Vuelta de Baja California
- 1st Stage 3 (TTT) Redlands Bicycle Classic
- 1987
- 1st Affoltern am Albis Criterium
- 6th Eschborn–Frankfurt
- 7th Overall Milk Race
- 8th Tour du Nord-Ouest
- 1988
- 1st Stage 3 Tour de Romandie
- 1990
- 1st Stage 2 Tucson Bicycle Classic
- 1992
- 5th Overall Tour of the Adirondacks
- 1997
- 1st San Francisco Hill Climb
- 1998
- 1st San Francisco Hill Climb
Grand Tour general classification results timeline
[edit]| Grand Tour | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Vuelta a España
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
 Giro d'Italia
|
78 | — | — | 61 | 114 | — |
| Tour de France
|
— | 63 | DNF | — | — | 132 |
| — | Did not compete |
|---|---|
| DNF | Did not finish |
Bibliography
[edit]- Roll, Bob (1995). Bobke: A Ride on the Wild Side of Cycling. Boulder, Colo.: Velo Press. ISBN 1-884737-12-9. OCLC 41853737.
- Roll, Bob; Roll, Bob (2003). Bobke II. Boulder, Colo.: VeloPress. ISBN 978-1-931382-28-1. OCLC 53097074.
- Roll, Bob; Koeppel, Dan (2005). The Tour de France Companion 2005: A Nuts, Bolts & Spokes Guide to the Greatest Race in the World. New York: Workman ; Godalming : Melia [distributor]. ISBN 978-0-7611-3798-6. OCLC 58053518.
References
[edit]- ^ Maestas, Amy. "The Durango Telegraph". archives.durangotelegraph.com. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ "Former bike racer Bob Roll rolls into TV career with offbeat wit". The Mercury News. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ "Coach Remembers When Armstrong Almost Quit". Associated Press. 2005-07-25. Archived from the original on 2006-05-23.
- ^ Litsky, Frank (1999-08-01). "CYCLING; Finding His Missing Desire in the Mountains". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
Armstrong needed a training partner. When Carmichael suggested Roll, Armstrong said, "That's perfect." And when Armstrong called Roll, Roll's wife, Chiara, urged her husband to accept. "I think Bob has incredible talent and personality," she said. "He could boost anybody's morale. Bob made Lance remember all the good things about cycling."
- ^ "Blog Archive » What About BOB?". MissingSaddle. 2006-05-26. Archived from the original on 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ^ Lance Armstrong, Sally Jenkins: It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life, Chapter 5, (ISBN 0-425-17961-3), Putnam 2000.
- ^ "Bob Roll". NBC Sports Pressbox. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ "Bob Roll". www.cyclingarchives.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ "Bob Roll". FirstCycling.com. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ "Bob Roll". www.procyclingstats.com. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
External links
[edit]- Bob Roll at Cycling Archives
- Bob Roll at ProCyclingStats
- Bob Roll's website
- Bob Roll's book
- A weblog/tribute to Bob with comments on current events in cycling
- Bob in his 7-Eleven uniform
- 2007 Pezcyclingnews interview of Bob Roll by Matt Wood
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Bob Roll
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Upbringing and education
Bob Roll was born on July 7, 1960, in Oakland, California.[2] He grew up in the nearby Diablo Valley region of the Bay Area during the 1960s and 1970s, a time when the area served as an epicenter for countercultural movements including the hippie ethos, the Black Panthers, the Grateful Dead, and the Hells Angels.[6] His childhood neighborhood featured a dense concentration of children—around 200 within a few blocks—surrounded by orchards and cul-de-sacs, where kids spent entire days outdoors inventing games and engaging in unstructured play that instilled an early appreciation for competition and the natural environment.[6] Roll was raised in a family of four children by parents who emphasized self-expression and family bonding.[6] Meals were a daily ritual without distractions like television, radio, or internet, during which each child was required to share a story from their day, fostering open communication and diverse perspectives.[6] The family's encouragement of individuality, combined with visits from local sports figures like players from the Oakland A's and Raiders to his school, sparked early interests in athletics and community diversity.[6] In high school at Pleasant Hill High School, Roll participated in cross country running, where he competed against future triathlon legend Scott Molina.[7][8] He also tried football and baseball but found these sports unfulfilling compared to the outdoor freedom of his youth.[6] No formal higher education is documented in available records, and up to age 21, his activities centered on these youthful pursuits in Northern California's vibrant, nature-oriented setting.[4] Roll began exploring cycling around age 19 or 20, transitioning toward what would become his primary athletic focus.[6]Introduction to cycling
Bob Roll's introduction to cycling occurred in 1981 in Northern California, where he acquired his first road bike in his early twenties as a practical alternative to the heavy traffic in the San Francisco Bay Area. Growing up in Oakland had instilled in him a foundation for outdoor pursuits, and he purchased the used bike for $400, initially drawn to it for the independence and efficiency it provided over driving. This simple acquisition sparked an unexpected passion, as Roll found himself captivated by the rhythm of pedaling and the sense of freedom on the open road.[9][3] His initial forays into the sport were marked by unstructured training rides through the hilly terrain of Northern California, where he methodically built endurance by accumulating miles on routes like those around Mount Diablo. Self-taught at first, Roll's approach emphasized consistent, long-distance efforts to develop the stamina essential for road cycling. Within weeks of buying his bike, he joined the Berkeley Bicycle Club, a local group formed in 1979 that emphasized teamwork and racing development, participating in club rides that introduced him to group dynamics and the camaraderie of the cycling community. These early sessions not only honed his skills but also connected him with mentors who recognized his potential.[9][10][3] Driven by a natural affinity for speed and the thrill of pushing his limits, Roll's motivations evolved from casual enjoyment to a serious pursuit of competitive excellence. After two years of building a solid domestic foundation, he made the pivotal decision in 1983 to relocate to Belgium, seeking immersion in Europe's demanding races to gain critical experience against world-class riders before transitioning to professionalism. This move underscored his ambition to test himself in the epicenter of the sport, where the intensity of training and racing would accelerate his growth.[3][9]Cycling career
Amateur racing
Bob Roll began his competitive cycling career in 1981 in Northern California, where he quickly established himself in local amateur races despite limited experience and unconventional equipment. Racing out of the Bay Area, he outperformed more equipped competitors, often wearing wool sweaters provided by his grandmother rather than standard cycling kits, and consistently secured victories in regional events around Danville and nearby areas.[11] These early successes highlighted his natural talent and determination, allowing him to build a foundation in the sport's domestic scene over the next two years.[3] In 1983, seeking greater challenges and international exposure, Roll relocated to Belgium to compete in elite amateur races against Europe's top young talents. He participated in demanding Flemish events, gaining invaluable experience in the aggressive, tactical style of continental racing, though he faced significant cultural and competitive hurdles as an outsider.[3] This period, though brief compared to the typical five-to-six years many riders spend in amateur ranks, sharpened his skills and demonstrated his potential through strong placings in key races.[11] Roll's performances in Belgium, combined with his domestic results, caught the attention of scouts and paved the way for his transition to professional cycling in 1985, bypassing extended amateur development.[3] His rapid progression underscored the effectiveness of his early racing strategy, focused on high-intensity competition rather than prolonged preparation.[8]Professional teams and seasons
Bob Roll began his professional cycling career in 1985 with the 7-Eleven Cycling Team, the first American squad to compete in major European races, including the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France.[12] He remained with 7-Eleven through the 1990 season, during which the team underwent sponsorship changes, such as adding Hoonved in 1990 and American Airlines in 1989.[2] As a key domestique, Roll supported team leaders like Andrew Hampsten in Grand Tours, exemplified by his role in the 1986 Tour de France where he finished 63rd overall, the highest-placed rider from the team.[12] In 1991, Roll joined the Motorola Cycling Team, continuing his focus on supporting top riders in international competitions.[2] He then moved to the Z Team, managed by Greg LeMond, for the 1992 season, where he began incorporating mountain biking into his racing schedule alongside road events.[2] Following 1992, Roll shifted emphasis toward mountain biking on the NORBA circuit for several years, with reduced participation in professional road racing until his full retirement from that discipline in 1995.[13][2] Roll made brief comebacks in hill climb events, winning the San Francisco Hill Climb in 1997 and repeating the victory in 1998 with a time of 1:26.30.[14][15] These appearances marked the end of his competitive racing career, spanning 1985 to 1998 across road, mountain biking, and specialized climbs.[2]Major victories
Bob Roll achieved his first professional stage victory in the 1985 Coors Classic, winning the Vail criterium stage ahead of a strong international field that included future Tour de France winners like Greg LeMond and Bernard Hinault.[16] This performance contributed to his solid 10th place in the overall general classification of the prestigious U.S.-based multi-stage race, marking an early career highlight for the American rider on the 7-Eleven team.[17] In 1986, Roll secured another stage win in the Rocky Mountain Classic, taking first in Stage 3 during the event's challenging mountainous terrain. He continued to show consistency in American stage races, earning multiple podium finishes in the Coors Classic across subsequent years, including second place in a stage during the 1988 edition.[2] Roll's international breakthrough came in 1988 with a victory in Stage 3 of the Tour de Romandie, a key World Tour preparatory race in Switzerland, where he outpaced competitors in the undulating finale from Porrentruy to Fribourg.[18] These successes often stemmed from strategic team support on the 7-Eleven squad, which positioned him for breakaways and sprints in critical moments. Later in his career, after transitioning toward mountain biking while maintaining road efforts, Roll dominated local U.S. events with overall wins in the San Francisco Hill Climb in both 1997 and 1998, clocking a winning time of 1:26.30 in the 1998 professional men's category up the demanding urban ascent.[15][14]Grand Tour participation
Bob Roll's professional cycling career included six Grand Tour starts between 1985 and 1990, all as a member of the 7-Eleven team, with three appearances each in the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France but none in the Vuelta a España.[19] His roles emphasized domestique duties, where he supported team leaders by pacing, fetching water, and shielding against wind, often at the expense of his own general classification chances.[20] Roll debuted in the Grand Tours at the 1985 Giro d'Italia, finishing 78th overall in his first professional season, while aiding the team's acclimation to the multi-week format.[19] He returned to the Giro in 1988, placing 61st and contributing to teammate Andy Hampsten's overall victory, including efforts on key mountain stages like the Passo dello Stelvio.[19][21] That year's race presented severe challenges, notably the infamous Gavia Pass stage in blizzard conditions, where Roll suffered hypothermia and temporary blindness from frozen optic nerves as he pushed to support the team.[21] In 1989, Roll finished 114th in the Giro, continuing his support role amid the race's demanding climbs and time trials.[19] Shifting to the Tour de France, Roll joined the historic 1986 edition as part of the first American squad invited to the race, completing it in 63rd place while assisting in the team's survival against European powerhouses.[19][22] He did not finish the 1987 Tour.[19] Roll's final Grand Tour came in 1990, where he crossed the line 132nd overall, focusing on team protection in sprints and mountains to bolster 7-Eleven's presence in its last Tour appearance.[19] The following table summarizes Roll's Grand Tour timeline:| Year | Race | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Giro d'Italia | 78th | Debut; team acclimation support |
| 1986 | Tour de France | 63rd | First American team; domestique duties |
| 1987 | Tour de France | DNF | DNF |
| 1988 | Giro d'Italia | 61st | Supported Hampsten's win; Gavia hypothermia |
| 1989 | Giro d'Italia | 114th | Continued support role |
| 1990 | Tour de France | 132nd | Team protection in final Tour |
Post-cycling activities
Broadcasting career
Bob Roll began his broadcasting career as a color commentator for the Outdoor Life Network (OLN), which later rebranded as Versus, providing analysis for major cycling events including the Tour de France.[8] In 2012, he joined NBC Sports as a cycling analyst, initially partnering with veteran commentators Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen to deliver coverage of international road races.[4] Following Sherwen's death in 2021, Roll continued to collaborate primarily with Liggett on key broadcasts, while occasionally teaming with analysts like Christian Vande Velde for select events.[8] Roll's work with NBC Sports and its streaming platform Peacock has encompassed extensive coverage of the Grand Tours, including the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and Vuelta a España.[4] He has provided commentary for multiple stages of the Vuelta a España through 2025, analyzing races such as the challenging penultimate stage on Bola del Mundo. Additionally, Roll served as an analyst for NBCUniversal's Olympic cycling coverage at the Paris 2024 Games, marking his second Olympic assignment.[23] His professional racing background, including three Tour de France participations, informs his insightful breakdowns of race tactics and rider dynamics. Known for his humorous and offbeat style infused with insider knowledge from his pro career, Roll brings an engaging, relatable perspective to broadcasts that appeals to both casual and dedicated fans.[8] As of November 2025, he remains a key figure in NBCUniversal's cycling portfolio, contributing to live stage analysis and pre-race previews across Peacock and NBC platforms.[4]Authorship and publications
Bob Roll has authored and co-authored several books centered on his experiences in professional cycling, blending personal anecdotes with insights into the sport's culture and mechanics. His debut book, Bobke: A Ride on the Wild Side of Cycling, published in 1995 by VeloPress, serves as a memoir chronicling his racing career through humorous and candid stories drawn from his journals and columns in VeloNews.[24] The title "Bobke," a Southern Dutch diminutive for "Bobby," reflects Roll's nickname within the peloton.[25] In 2003, Roll released Bobke II: The Continuing Misadventures of Bob Roll, a sequel that revisits his original journals with additional humorous tales from his cycling experiences, published by VeloPress.[26] This volume captures the "uncensored side" of professional cycling life.[26] Roll also co-authored the Tour de France Companion series with Dan Koeppel, beginning with the inaugural edition in 2004 from Workman Publishing, followed by annual updates such as the 2005 volume.[27] These guides offer fans a detailed primer on the Tour de France, covering race strategies, team dynamics, historical context, and practical viewing tips without delving into exhaustive year-by-year results.[27] Beyond books, Roll contributed regularly to cycling publications, most notably through his "At the Back" column in VeloNews from the late 1990s to early 2000s, where he provided satirical and insider commentary on races, riders, and training.[28] These pieces, often laced with his signature wit, helped establish his voice in cycling literature.[29]Other contributions
After retiring from professional cycling, Bob Roll served as a training partner and coach for Lance Armstrong in 1998, during Armstrong's recovery from testicular cancer and preparation for his return to racing.[30] The two spent 10 days in Boone, North Carolina, focusing on rebuilding Armstrong's fitness through intensive rides in the mountains, which helped reignite Armstrong's passion for the sport.[31] Roll has contributed to cycling promotion through commercial appearances, notably starring in a series of Road ID television ads tied to the Tour de France starting in 2010.[32] These humorous spots, such as "Bazooka" and "Lost Season," featured Roll in everyday scenarios highlighting the importance of identification bracelets for cyclists, blending his persona with Road ID's safety messaging.[33] In recent years, Roll has organized the "Roll with Bob Roll" cycling camps in Moab, Utah, designed for riders of all levels to experience guided tours through Canyonlands National Park.[34] The annual four-day events include professional-led rides, seminars on training and longevity, and accommodations, with the November 6-9, 2025, edition attracting participants for its blend of adventure and education from Roll and guest pros.[34] Roll has also made appearances advocating for U.S. cycling development, drawing on his experiences with the pioneering 7-Eleven team to promote the sport's growth in America.[35] At events like the 2012 Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition dinner, he emphasized collaboration among advocacy groups to expand infrastructure and participation.[35] His legacy from the 7-Eleven era, as one of the first American pros to compete in Europe, continues to inspire discussions on the evolution of professional cycling in the United States.[36]Major results
Stage race results
Roll's professional career featured competitive performances in several multi-stage races, particularly in the United States and Europe. His breakthrough came in the 1985 Coors Classic, where he secured a stage victory in the Vail criterium on August 11 and finished 10th overall in the general classification after 15 stages.[37][16] He also placed third in stage 15 of the same event.[38] In subsequent years, Roll continued to excel in American stage races, achieving third place in a stage of the 1986 Coors Classic.[2] By 1988, he improved to second overall in the Coors Classic general classification.[2] Across the Atlantic, he demonstrated consistency in European week-long races, including a stage win in the 1988 Tour de Romandie.[2] Roll participated in the Tour de Suisse multiple times, with his best general classification result being 48th in 1990.[39] He also competed in the 1987 Tour of Britain, finishing seventh overall.[2] Following his full-time professional retirement, Roll remained active in domestic events, winning the San Francisco Hill Climb in both 1997 and 1998.[14][15]Grand Tour general classification timeline
Bob Roll participated in six Grand Tours during his professional career, completing three editions each of the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France, with no starts in the Vuelta a España.[19] His roles were primarily as a domestique, supporting team leaders in these grueling races.[2] The following table summarizes his general classification results, best stage finishes, and notable events:| Year | Grand Tour | GC Position | Best Stage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Giro d'Italia | 78th | — | Completed all 22 stages; no standout performances noted.[19] |
| 1986 | Tour de France | 63rd | 31st (Stage 10) | Finished the race, providing support for teammate Andy Hampsten.[19] |
| 1987 | Tour de France | DNF | 51st (Stage 12) | Abandoned during Stage 13 due to exhaustion after a demanding mountain stage.[19] |
| 1988 | Giro d'Italia | 61st | 24th (Stage 8) | Survived the infamous Stage 14 over the snow-covered Passo Gavia, where extreme cold led to hypothermia; Roll arrived at the finish "blue" and required warming in a shower.[19][40] |
| 1989 | Giro d'Italia | 114th | — | Completed the race but struggled in the mountains; no notable stage results.[19] |
| 1990 | Tour de France | 132nd | 64th (Stage 5) | Finished his final Grand Tour, focusing on team duties amid a challenging season.[19] |