For 2008 —“Versus posts TV schedule for Tour de France”
This is good news. Once again, the VERSUS cable network is offering nearly around-the-clock TV coverage of the 2007 Tour de France, which runs July 7-29.
The sports network (still OLN in Canada) is broadcasting an average 17 hours a day of Tour coverage, generally starting at 8:30 a.m. (ET) with replays throughout the day and early morning hours.
Cycling fans without access to cable TV will have options on the Internet, such as the live text tickers at CyclingNews and VeloNews, audio play-by-play at Eurosport, and the virtual “tete de la course” updates on maps and stage profiles at the official Tour de France website.
Versus team
Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen are returning as the main commentators for the Versus coverage, and Bob Roll and Al Trautwig will host the extended primtetime replay. They'll be joined in the field by cycling experts Frankie Andreau, Craig Hummer and Robbie Ventura.
Here's the Versus schedule, although you'll want to check the day-to-day coverage times at the Versus website, as it may change for mountain stages, etc.:
Live coverage — 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. (begins at 7:30 a.m. on July 8, 14, 17, 23 and 29; 7 a.m. on July 15; and 6:30 a.m. on July 25) (ET)
Race action replay — 12- 2 p.m.; 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.; 5 – 7 p.m.; 12 – 2:30 a.m. (not Sundays, except July 8)
Expanded primetime coverage — 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. ET/PT
Versus online
Also, the Versus website is once again the official Tour de France website for the US. It will provide video clips of race footage, photo galleries, daily reports from Versus commentators, and a Fan Zone for cycling fans.
Versus also is offering online dynamic stage profiles that pinpoint the peloton's location, time gaps, arrival and departure towns, and standings by category.
As the Tour de France starts with two days of cycling in England, the Versus website will offer a live videostream of the first two hours of Stage 1 from London from 5:30 – 7:30 a.m. Sunday, July 8.
A highlight version of each Tour stage will be distributed by the network’s video-on-demand platform and will be available the day following the stage conclusion.
Other options
More viewing tips at “Where to watch and listen to Tour de France”
Those without access to Versus on cable TV can follow the action on the Internet. Eurosport provides an audio stream of Tour de France action. VeloNews and CyclingNews offer play-by-play text tickers of each stage, as well as maps, profiles, features and in-depth race analysis after every stage.
The Tour de France live website (here's the link to 2006) provides photos, race positions, a dynamic chart of the time gaps on the road and more.
There are also a raft of blogs, mine included, that will be offering post-race insights and observations.
The most fun watching a Tour de France stage comes July 22 in Seattle when the Cascade Bicycle Club presents Cyclefest Outdoor Cinema with a showing of Stage 14 beginning at 9:15 p.m. The Magnuson Park event is preceeded by a treasure hunt and kid's bike parade, and bike polo.
Thanks to Tour de France 2007 blog for unearthing the Versus press release
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