Hello, <BR>I know that European sports isn`t covered much on American T.V. But since there`s the faboulus Lance Armstrong (I`m a fan) and the US Postal Team there might be a coverage of the Tour de France which started on Sunday. <BR>If there is-watch it, if you ever plan to visit Belgium or France. You`ll see so much of the beautiful countryside that makes it worthwhile even if you`re not into cycling-better than most travel shows. The today route was from near Calais to Antwerpen through Flandern and although I`ve been to that region, I was surprised how beautiful it is. A lot of shots are taken from an helicopter and that gives you the chance to get an overall impression of the landscape. German T.V. does a beautiful job in providing details about towns and points of interest along the way-better than a travel guide, because it`s real in that moment and not a desciption in a book. <BR>Tomorrow they`ll leave Antwerpen and cycle across the Ardennes mountains to Seraing. On Friday they`ll be in Elsace and end in Strasbourg. After three weeks in France they`ll arrive on Champs-Elysees. <BR>Just a thought to share with you... <BR> <BR>Miriam

Great suggestion, Miriam. I watch the Tour de France regulary since many years, as cycling is very popular in my home country, The Netherlands.The helicopter pictures showing landscape are often very impressive. But I wonder, if the covering US TV-station delivers more than sport scenes like final sprints and crashes. Maybe somebody from the States is able to answer this question. Is Lance still a big star in the USA?

Help! Where are you finding this coverage that you're describing?? I tried all weekend to find coverage and the only thing I found was a 10 second blurb on CNN Sports. Nothing on NBC, CBS, ABC or ESPN. <BR> <BR>I'm dismayed that that major networks wouldn't have more coverage since an American is defending. <BR> <BR>Would appreciate any info you have on channels that are covering the Tour. Thanks!

It is my understanding that OLN (Outdoor Life Network?) is covering it daily. Check your cable or satellite listings.

Hello, <BR> <BR>regarding the T.V. coverage...I was talking about Germany and it was just a suggestion that there might be a channel in the U.S. which provides similar reports on the Tour. <BR>One reason that it`s not so hot right now might be that Lance and the other climbing specialists in the US Postal Team are supposed to be leading when the Tour reaches the Alps and other mountains. At the moment most of the dayrides are flat and not so important for Lance defeating his title the third time(although he was third on the first day). <BR> <BR>Miriam

The coverage this year is very little compared to last year with one to two hours daily recap of the Tour de France. As Lance Armstrong is from Austin,Texas he is very well know in in Texas. Today he was on the front page of The Dallas Morning News with a large picture.TV coverage will be on Outdoor Life Network. OLN is available on digital cable systems and to statelite <BR>subscribers. Coverage will be on OLN central standard time daily 8-10 p.m. Other coverage on OLN on July 14,16,17, 18, 20, and 24 at various times normally 2 hours long. A local channel is carrying it on July 15, 11,and 29 At this point I am going to check with several sports bars if they have OLN. The internet is the only other source.I am really sorry about the lack of coverage because it was fun watching it last year.

For Me: If you are located close to the Canadian border, you will find it on Outdoor Life Canada (eastern time zone) every day for two hours......9:00 AM to 11:00AM. They also have an up-dated version of that day`s leg from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

Thank you, Elizabeth. Unfortunately I'm fairly south of the Canadian border. I did find out that Outdoor Life Network is doing some major coverage, but in our area that station is only available on digital cable. Guess I'll have to put in a cable upgrade order and hope they can hook me up before the end of the race!

Thanks Miriam <BR> <BR>for the great idea. Although I`ve never followed the Tour de France you`re right-great scenery. I`ll definetely look into visiting some of the places. <BR> <BR>Brian

The tour is on OLN for 8 hours a day - the live 2 hr broadcast in the morning, followed later in the day with a rebroadcast. THen at night, it is an edited version shown twice. <BR> <BR>For the two biggest mountain stages, there will be 4 hours live. <BR> <BR>OLN can be on regular cable - doesn't have to be just digital cable. Call your cable operator and ask for them to include it. They also covered the Giro d'Italia in a similar manner and will cover the Vuelta a Espana later in the year. They also cover all the major 1 day races and some shorter stage races on a highlight basis. <BR> <BR>their website is www.olntv.com <BR> <BR>GO LANCE

Hi Miriam <BR> <BR>Suggest you go to a local bike shop and ask them where the best coverage is. Bet they know! <BR> <BR>Agree 100% - GO LANCE!!!

We live in new york and have about 80 cable channels including several sports channels, and I haven't found one that is covering the tour de france. I'm so disappointed! We love bike riding and get such a charge out of watching it. Last year, at least tapes of the race were televised. This year, nothing! Grrrr!!!

I watched some taped coverage last night. I think it was on Fox Sports Net, but not entirely sure. <BR> <BR>The coverage usually gets much more comprehensive further into the race.

I followed up on Louise's suggestion and phoned our local bike shop (bicycle planet it's called). The guy working there said the only coverage he knew of was on OLN, but that the race was only in its beginning stages and more extensive coverage would probably be given further into the race, as you mentioned, Ann. He was bummed that they didn't have OLN at the bike shop. That channel isn't a part of our local cable package.

For all those interested in Cycling and travelling, OLNtv.com is doing a great job of covering the Tour. Visit their website for specific times of coverage. The commentators Phil Ligget and Paul Sherwin not only report on the cyclists, but also give great historical facts about where the rides take place. <BR>It can be quite informative. Three weeks ago we watched the coverage of the Giro d'Italia and saw and learned about sites we will be visiting in Italy next week. There is also a big race in Spain and many classic one day rides to follow as well. I highly recommend it to anyone interested.

Miriam: <BR>I hope I didn't offend you; I meant nothing personal! Just a little humor that might be misunderstood. My apologies if you took it the wrong way. Also, I could never be upset with a fan of cycling and the Tour! <BR>Enjoy the tour

Numero deux, et merci Miriam.

Go Lance indeed. You should make that go Team Postal. Have you ever watched how teamwork plays out in the Tour? It seems incredible to me that the team does so much to support Lance and put him out in front, pulling him along in their draft for hours and dozens of miles so that he can reserve his energy and pull ahead when strategy dictates. (of course the Swiss teams and the German teams and the Spanish teams, etc., etc, do the same!). These guys ride the same 100 plus kilometers each day and then hand over the glory to the chosen favorite. That is true teamwork!

Have you realized that there are not only americans in the US Postal team? Armstrong is great, but he also has a good team to back him ...

Allez Lance!