{"id":788,"date":"2011-07-01T21:02:13","date_gmt":"2011-07-01T11:02:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.frostglobal.com\/?p=788"},"modified":"2013-06-02T16:36:52","modified_gmt":"2013-06-02T06:36:52","slug":"the-tradition-continues-sbss-tour-de-france-coverage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.frostglobal.com\/?p=788","title":{"rendered":"The Tradition Continues – SBS’s Tour de France coverage"},"content":{"rendered":"

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SBS’s <\/strong>coverage of 3,430.50km<\/strong> of the most gruelling cycling event in the world, the Tour de France<\/strong> is now only hours away. As SBS<\/strong> countdowns to its 21st year<\/strong> covering the event, Australian cycling fans will be able to immerse themselves in Tour de France<\/strong> coverage for the next three week as the government broadcaster delivers unparalleled coverage on TV<\/strong>, Online<\/strong> and on Mobile<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

SBS<\/strong> will be covering every stage of the Tour de France<\/strong> LIVE in High Definition<\/strong> from 10PM AEST daily<\/strong> starting tomorrow night (Saturday). The coverage will again be headed by SBS host Michael Tomalaris<\/strong>, with the voice of cycling Phil Liggett<\/strong> leading the commentary team alongside Paul Sherwen<\/strong> and Aussie commentator Matt Keenan<\/strong>. Former professionals David McKenzie<\/strong> and Scott Sunderland <\/strong>will provide viewers with a daily analysis of each stage. Daily highlights of the Tour can be seen every morning at 7:30am on SBS One<\/strong> and every evening at 6:00pm on SBS One<\/strong> and 8:30pm on SBS Two<\/strong> during the Tour. Taste Le Tour<\/strong> a favourite of SBS’s Tour de France broadcasts returns for its seventh season with French Chef Gabriel Gate <\/strong>taking viewers on a 21-stage gastronomic tour <\/strong>to coincide with the race. Taste le Tour<\/strong> is on every day of the tour and starts on the Island of Normoutier<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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For SBS’s online coverage the broadcaster has relaunched its Cycling Central <\/a><\/strong>website and has the latest Tour de France news and statistics as well as live streaming of every stage at www.sbs.com.au\/tdf<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

On mobile SBS have developed a brand new official iPhone app<\/strong> called the SBS Tour de France Tracker<\/strong>. This app, according to SBS will have the latest race updates, live streaming (geo-blocked so Australian users only can access the live stream), stage information, team standings, team listings and GPS tracking with interactive maps. As SBS says “you’ll be up-to-date where ever you are.” <\/strong>Check out the screenshots below or download the Tracker from the iTunes App Store<\/strong> (click on the link for your preferred device – iPhone<\/a> and iPad<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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According to AdNews<\/a><\/strong>, SBS has also signed five sponsors<\/strong> for its Tour de France coverage including Skoda<\/strong>, IG Markets<\/strong>, IAG, Avanti<\/strong> and smartphone manufacturer HTC<\/strong>, making it the largest sponsorship the broadcaster has ever received for its coverage of cycling’s greatest tour. SBS Director of Sales Mark Fairhurst <\/strong>said:<\/p>\n

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“Despite advertising and sponsorship competition from this year’s Rugby World Cup, the continuing growth and interest in cycling is demonstrated by the fact that this is our largest commitment in sponsorships SBS has ever had for the Tour de France.<\/p>\n

“The sponsorships and what they include are tailored to each sponsor, however they are all taking advantage of SBS’s multi-platform delivery across SBS TV and online, with specific integration into the relaunched Cycling Central.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

With the Tour de France available to Australians on more viewing platforms than ever before, if you are a cycling fan or love the French culture and countryside you will have no trouble immersing yourself in cycling action for the next three weeks. The stage is set for a fantastic three weeks of many late nights as the battle resumes between defending Maillot Jaune <\/strong>winner Alberto Contador<\/strong> and Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck<\/strong>. Meanwhile all Australians will be keeping a close eye on Australian hopeful Cadel Evans<\/strong>, who has impressed in this year’s UCI Pro Tour<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Tour de France on SBS starts tomorrow night at 10pm AEST with coverage of the Stage 1 from Passage du Gois to Les Herbiers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For a preview of this year’s Tour de France course check out this video below:<\/p>\n