ITV to broadcast Tour of Ireland and Tour of Britain
04/07/2008
ITV Sport can today announce a new deal with Vsquared TV for the rights to broadcast The Tour of Ireland 2008 and with Tour of Britain Limited for the right to broadcast The Tour of Britain 2008 cycle races.
A highlights programme of each race will be broadcast every day throughout both Tours on ITV4, Men and Motors, itv.com and ITV mobile as well as live coverage via a new red button interactive service broadcasting the world feed.
The Tour of Ireland will take place on the 27th to 31st August and the Tour of Britain on the 7th to 14th September 2008.
The Tour of Ireland will involve 112 riders representing 16 international teams in a 900 kilometre race. The race will start in Dublin and finish in Cork after four days travelling through iconic Irish scenery.
The Tour of Britain will see 96 riders competing across the country, beginning in London and culminating a week later with an hour of racing around a city centre circuit in Liverpool.
The rights to both tours extends ITV’s award winning cycling coverage which includes one of the most gruelling sporting events in the world – the 3,600 kilometre Tour de France. Daily highlights programmes on ITV4 will be broadcast throughout the three week race between the 5th and 27th July, with live coverage during weekends.
The Tour de France will be simulcast free-to-air on ITV.com which will also offer viewers a catch up of the ITV4 highlights, live text commentary, super slideshow galleries and the opportunity to download a daily podcast.
Viewers can complete all 21 stages of the race in less than three minutes with ITV.com’s tour video overview and have their say in the specialist forum. The site also provides a beginners guide and an overview of the Tour’s 95 year history.
ITV’s coverage of the Tour de France and Tour of Ireland is presented by Gary Imlach with Chris Boardman. Commentary comes from Paul Sherwen and Phil Liggett. Ned Boulting and Craig Doyle will present the Tour of Britain.
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For further information:
Laura Wootton
ITV Press Office
Laura.wootton@itv.com