Cycling’s Tour de France has become a little like the reality show The Bachelor. Guys jockey for position, shirts come off and go on again, and there’s the rare moment of drama in the winding, tedious ordeal that should have ended weeks ago. In the end, you really don’t care who wins, because there’s going to be a nasty breakup in the future anyway and the whole experience makes you feel sleazy. Such is the state of cycling in the age of doping scandals.
But, legitimate or not, the show will go on. The 98th edition of cycling’s Tour de France starts July 2 at Passage du Gois in western France. The race is made up of 21 stages covering a total distance of 3,471 km, with emphasis on the Alps. The 18th stage has the highest summit finish in the race’s history, at the top of the Col du Galibier mountain pass. The race ends July 24 on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Last year, Spain’s Alberto Contador won his second straight Tour and third in four years.
Versus begins its coverage live July 2 at 8am ET. NBC’s coverage begins July 2 at 2pm ET and July 3 at 2pm ET. Versus continues with live coverage daily at 8am ET.
Below is the press release from NBC Sports Group highlighting Tour coverage on TV, online and social media channels:
NBC SPORTS GROUP GIVES CYCLING FANS 360-DEGREE ACCESS TO THE GREATEST CYCLING EVENT OF THE YEAR – 98TH ANNUAL TOUR DE FRANCE
Multi-platform Coverage Available On-Air, Online at NBCSports.com and Through Mobile Apps
For the First Time Ever, NBC Sports will Air Stages 1-2 on July 2 & 3; VERSUS to Average 14 Hours of Coverage Each Day
“This year’s race is built for the climbing specialists. Everyone is expecting a battle for a third straight year between Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck, but there is every indication that this will not be the case. This has the makings of a vintage Tour.” – NBC Sports Group’s Phil Liggett
NBC Sports Group, the exclusive television home of the Tour de France in the U.S., will begin its coverage of the most grueling event in all of sports on VERSUS on Saturday, July 2, at 8 a.m. ET, live at the grand start from the Passage du Gois in France. Additionally, for the first time ever, NBC Sports will broadcast coverage of the opening two stages on July 2 at 2 p.m. ET and July 3 at 3 p.m. ET, respectively. VERSUS will air an average of 14 hours of race action per day in full HD throughout the 21-stage competition that covers more than 2,000 miles, including live coverage every morning of competition at 8 a.m. ET.
VERSUS’ production continues to evolve, and this year’s daily coverage will have a new look and feel to the race action. The most notable changes will be to the enhanced primetime show each night from 8-11 p.m. ET, which will feature a combination of race coverage and cycling insight as well as highlights from some of the compelling stories throughout the Tour. Each show will include interviews with the riders at the start and finish lines, analysis and strategy segments as well as other content designed for cycling fans and those who are new to the sport. Additionally, the network will collaborate with Gripped Films, producers of the critically acclaimed Tour de France documentary “Chasing Legends,” for daily, behind-the-scenes footage from the team that wins each day’s stage, to the night before they start in the next day’s competition.
The network will also give viewers the best coverage with bonus features such as: cameras on many of the team’s buses, including Garmin-Cervelo, HTC-Highroad, RadioShack, and Leopard Trek; a pointer feature which will easily identify and focus on one rider in the 195-plus peloton; exclusive, in-depth profiles and features on teams and riders; and advanced on-screen statistics/biometrics to illustrate the intensity at which the riders are competing; among others.
Legendary announcers Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen, the undisputed voices of cycling, will once again call all the race action for both the live and nightly shows, with Robbie Ventura and Craig Hummer contributing as field reporters. New host Liam McHugh and analyst Bob Roll will contribute to the pre-race coverage and helm the primetime studio show each night with contributing analyst Todd Gogulski. Gogulski, a former professional cyclist, has covered various cycling events, including the Giro d’Italia, the Vuelta a España and the World Road Championships for Universal Sports since 2009.
Tour de France All Access: VERSUS will surround its on-air coverage with Tour de France All Access, unprecedented cycling content on many different platforms, including tourdefrance.nbcsports.com for the first time since NBCSports.com and VERSUS.com combined forces to create a single, robust destination for sports fans. The network will offer users both a free and premium-subscription product which gives fans a multi-platform, all-encompassing viewing experience to the greatest cycling event of the year. Tour de France All Access offers live streaming video of every stage in full HD, with the ability to pause, rewind and slow-mo the image. While watching live coverage online, viewers will also have access to a live GPS tracking map, to follow the riders’ progress or to see an enhanced interactive map for each stage. Also, subscribers can personalize their Tour experience by choosing their favorite riders and teams to track throughout the Tour. Additionally, all the features of the NBCSports.com online experience will be mirrored in the Tour de France All Access apps for the iPhone, and for the first time this year, on iPad and Android devices.
There are also many free elements available to cycling fans at NBCSports.com and through the mobile apps, which are listed below.
Before the Tour:
- Stage-by-stage descriptions and previews, featuring historical stage information, technical information and interesting travelogue vignettes
- Breakdown of top contenders
- Historical top 10 lists
- Look back at the best of the 2010 Tour de France
Once the Tour begins:
- Recaps and highlights of the day’s big events and story lines
- Expert predictions for each stage
- Route previews
- Interviews with the top riders
- Video highlights of each stage
- Live stage results
- Detailed standings, including overall and classifications
- Rider profiles by country and team
- Course and stage maps, elevation profiles and stage descriptions
- Live news stream during every stage
- Photo slideshows
- Tour de France Twitter stream, which will showcase the top race authorities, including riders, analysts, officials and fans
Additional Features and Elements (more information available at tourdefrance.nbcsports.com):
- Aquaphor Le Tour Challenge: Users can ride their bikes on any given day of the Tour de France to see how they compare to the pros and other cyclists from around the world. They can create a team, join a team, or ride solo, and enter to win great prizes.
- Travelers Fantasy Cycling Challenge: A traditional fantasy game where users select their own team of cyclists and compete with others for daily prizes and grand prize trip to the 2012 Tour de France.
- IZOD Race for the Podium Watch & Win Sweepstakes: During each stage, VERSUS viewers are given an on-air code word that they can use for a chance to win a trip to the 2012 Tour de France and Cervelo Bikes.
Social Media: Fans can also keep up with the Tour de France through VERSUS’ social media platforms throughout the race. Content will include:
- Behind the Scenes: Through the VERSUS Cycling Facebook page and @VSCycling on Twitter, fans receive exclusive behind-the-scenes photos, interviews and video.
- Commentator Tweets: VERSUS commentators Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen will provide Twitter content throughout race.
- Fan Questions: Fans will have the opportunity to ask questions to VERSUS commentators, including Bob Roll in the “Ask Bobke” segment, via Facebook and Twitter.
- News: Fans can follow VERSUS Cycling Facebook and VSCycling Twitter accounts to receive the most up to date reports and stories from around the cycling world.
just search “Bring back Bob Roll” on facebook
I totally agree with all the comments here about NBC and Versus’ coverage of the tour. While I miss Craig Hummer as well, what I am really disappointed is the loss of Bob Roll’s commentary on the prime time “extended coverage”. That is how I became a fan of Le Tour.
Please like my facebook page and maybe we can them back.
A total disappointment is what the TV coverage has become. Still nice to see Bobke, Phil, Paul, and a little of Robbie. Craig has not even beem seen, only heard, what a drag… Glad Frankie is gone.
For good live online coverage go to the following:
http://www.cyclingfans.com
http://www.sports-livez.com
I am not alone. Amazing! MSNBC ruins all that it touches. The lousy program detracts from the race. Whose great idea was it to put McHugh on the desk? A Master’s Degree in Journalism. Really? It is obvious he doesn’t want to be there and “doesn’t get it”. Get Craig Hummer back. Tomorrow would be good. McHugh ruins the canvas that Bobke and Todd are painting. I want the successful formula of last year. I want more of Roll’s commentary. I’ve listened to the straight reporting of Phil and Paul live already. Todd is insightful and adds to the show. I fear Bobke is holding back because of something unknown. We need more Bobke right now.
As I am a teacher, it has always been easy for me to get up early for these three weeks in July to watch the Tour de France. I even plan my professional development days around the rest days if possible. I look forward to the yellow jersey competition and always root for Phil! The format of the early show hasn’t changed as much, but I do feel that it has “paled”. From the stage one predictions when Liam announced that he wouldn’t be participating, to their pale blue shirts. I feel like Versus has lost it’s “color”. I liked Al, Craig grew on me, but Liam? I also miss the podiums, that is part of the experience. If anyone who cares is reading this – please bring back the color of the Tour de France.
Paul and Phil – you are the best and I look forward to hearing you every year!
way to screw the pooch nbc-yaa!
Wow- just read through all the commentary above-agree with all. Interesting that no one misses Frankie. I wonder how much LA had to do with that???Watching right now and Phil is talking about Hinault’s home town, and that he is person we see presenting the jerseys on the podium…..NO WE DON’T!!!!! Not this year. HORRIBLE changes. I can’t believe Bobke can sit there next to idiot and not slug him on live TV. He must be sitting on his hands. I’m one of the few who thought it was tragic to replace Trautwig, but Craig Hummer developed into an outstanding host, with solid knowledge and obviously warm rapport with the group. My wife and I totally miss the nighttime coverage! But Vive la Tour! A comically inept move by NBC.
This message is written to support the comments posted related to the changes you (NBC) have made in the Tour de France coverage this year. I have been watching the TdF since OLN/Versus began coverage of the event. So, I would say….a very long time. Previously, the commentators have had great chemistry, insights into the all facets of the event, background human interest stories/film and events leading up to the current year Tour…..truly the OLN/Versus prior years TdF program development was more professional. The previous format hooked us all on watching TdF year after year. Even the website with the daily comments from Paul, Phil, Bobke, Chris Carmicheal were read with great anticipation.
This year’s format is not at all inspiring….Liam McHugh’s most impressive comment is that he “has a Master’s Degree in Journalism” implying he was overqualified for the job and Todd focus in on Alberto Contador winning the Tour. Truly, they are not connecting with me as a viewer and don’t seem to respect the fan base that previous format has contributed to creating OLN/Versus fans. In many senses, Al Trautwig did a better job of respecting his colleagues!
This year’s format also lacks passion for the sport, the knowledge of Bobke, Phil, Paul, Craig and Robbie and history of the outstanding athletes that have made the sport what it is….
You still have time to change the program….
Why all the love for Craig? He was just as terrible as Liam when he replaced Al Trautwig…. Why not just bring back Al?
Look, NBC, if you meant to kill viewership, you should’ve just brought back Al Trautwig. Bobke lit up as soon as Craig Hummer came to the team. Craig developed a true appreciation for the sport and over the years became a great resource for the team. Please bring Craig back and get rid of these cardboard idiots.
I agree why must NBC screw things up. Liam doesn’t anything about the sport ..so much so that he can’t even make a winner prediction for commentator yellow. He should be relegated to the back!
I just came back from vacation and catching up with the TDF on the DVR. Boo NBC, why is Craig Hummer in the field? Put him back at the desk? I agree with the previous comments about the changes made-not good.
curse that auto spell…NBC not nmc.
Hey Bobke,
Tell those klootzakken at NBC to bring back our friend Craig. As usual they think that they know best, well the viewers of cycling are not bob and betty beer-can that will take what ever you try to shove down their throat.
I surely hope that some dumb ass exec at NMC knows how to read and realizes to bring back the fearsome foursome of cycling!
Ik ga fietsen!!!
Things can’t always stay the same. Change is inevitable. However, in the many years I’ve been watching the Tour de France on Versus (and previously OLN) this is honestly the least entertained I’ve ever been. Bob Roll was always a favorite but I’m sorry that he’s surrounded by…. yawn…. zzzzz. Thank goodness for Phil and Paul! I’m fast forwarding through the Liam/Bob/Todd. I’ll miss you Bobke.
Now I understand why NBC has fallen so far over the past decade. You guys could turn a birthday party into a wake. Bring Craig back, restore the old format and get out of the way!
There are not THAT many cycling fans that you can afford to lose any. So WHY change a format that attracted so many of them. DUMB, DUMB, DUMB!!!
My husband and I totally agree with all the comments above. It appears that we’re not the only ones that miss Craig Hummer and the banter between the 4 guys. We are currently fast forwarding through the program and commercials to get to the end of day 4. We used to record at least 3 versions each day to catch the commentary. Not this year.
For the love of all things holy, NBC, ditch this idiot McHugh and bring back Hummer, Bobke, Sherwin & Liggett. Also, that Gogulski guy (spelling?) looks like a bloody cartoon character when he talks. His face moves in all kinds of unnatural positions and is just bizarre to look at. What on earth possessed you idiots to change the winning formula that Versus had developed over the past few years for TDF coverage? Whoever came up with this new format deserves to be hung, drawn-and-quartered, put in the Iron Maiden, and then have salt water poured over his/her skin. Morons.
Please bring back Craig Hummer. The old format was great.