While the world is buzzing about the Soccer World Cup and the vuvuzela, I will be following the OTHER big European sport – cycling. Being a cycling fan in America isn’t easy. While the big races are covered live on all of the big Euro TV networks, America has only sporadic coverage on Versus and Universal Sports.
Now, since I turned off the satellite for the summer because Lost ended, 24 ended, and football hasn’t started, I have had to scramble to watch bike races. Video recaps are surprisingly not too hard to find online. But now the granddaddy of all bike races is set to start this Saturday. That is, of course, the Tour de France. And, I want my full coverage – every stage, in it’s entirety.
The Tour has been covered daily in the US in recent years by the Versus Network, and they have done a great job. But, no satellite, no Versus. Enter the new beta version of their web site. For $29.95 I can get full coverage of every stage in it’s entirety, both live and, thankfully, since stages start around 7-8am my time, on-demand. It is being broadcast in “full” HD, even real-time GPS tracking of the riders! It’s a geek/cycling fan’s dream-come-true!
In the past I have watched some video recaps and extras on the Versus website and the quality has been good. So, I have high hopes for this. I am plunking down my $29.95 and I will let everyone know what I think after the race actually gets started this weekend. It should be an epic race this year so the coverage better also be epic!
Now, if I could just avoid all of those Twitter spoilers until I get home from work and actually watch that day’s stage….