Universal Sports begins cycling coverage with Tirreno-Adriatico

Hincapie, Farrar and Cavendish on tap in Italy

Universal Sports kicks off its 2010 pro cycling coverage on Wednesday with Italy's Tirreno-Adriatico, followed up through the season with the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana along with other cycling events.

The partnership of NBC Sports and Intermedia Partners says it will offer at least 10 premiere road cycling races this year on its broadcast and online platforms.

All races will be available live online at UniversalSports.com; same-day coverage will be provided on cable at Universal Sports stations in major TV markets.

Tirreno-Adriatico

Universal Sports' first cycling race is a week-long tour across Italy that ends next Tuesday.

Americans on the roster include popular US cyclist George Hincapie for BMC Racing and US sprinter Tyler Farrar for Garmin-Transition. British speedster Mark Cavenish will be riding for HTC-Columbia.

Online coverage of the Tirreno-Adriatico begins at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at UniversalSports.com, complete with photos, highlights and recaps. TV coverage is scheduled at 3 and 8 p.m. Check UniversalSports.com for details.

Schedule

Here is a partial list of Universal Sports' cycling schedule. All races are live online; times are shown for the broadcasts:

March 10-16: Tirreno-Adriatico – 3pm and 8pm EST nightly; also at 11pm (10^th and 11^th); 12am (12^th); and 1am (13th – 16^th)

March 20: Milan-San Remo – 3pm EST

April 5-10: Tour of Basque Country – Noon EST

May 8-30: Giro d’Italia – Noon EST

Aug. 28-Sept. 19: Vuelta a Espana – Noon EST

Sept. 29:  Road Cycling Time Trials – Men’s Under 23, Women’s Elite – 7pm EST

Sept. 30: Road Cycling Time Trials –Men’s Elite – 7pm EST

Oct. 2:  Road Cycling Road Race – Men’s Under 23, Women’s Elite – 7pm EST

Oct. 3: Road Cycling Road Race –Men’s Elite – 7pm EST

Oct. 16:  Giro di Lombardia — Noon EST