One of the first major international sporting events returns this month, with the 2020 Tour de France available live, free and in HD, exclusive to SBS from Saturday 29 August to 20 September.From Nice to Paris, the postponed 107th Tour de France is back and better than ever with an unconventional and mountainous route. The 2020 Tour de France will feature eight mountain stages with four summit finishes, nine flat stages, three hilly stages, and one individual time trial on the penultimate day. The race will traverse a total of six regions, 32 departments and cover five mountain ranges - the Alps, Massif Central, Pyrenees, Jura and Vosges.
SBS has been the home of the Tour de France for 30 years and will again provide extensive coverage of the world's biggest annual sporting event. Broadcast times vary, with most stages starting at 8:30pm AEST (full schedule below). Then, tune into daily Morning Updates from 7.00am on SBS, stage replays on SBS and SBS VICELAND, and evening highlights on SBS. Every stage of the Tour de France will stream live on SBS On Demand and the Cycling Central website.Cycling Central will feature news, opinion, stats, highlights and video on demand.
For the first time, the SBS commentary team will be covering the event live from SBS's studios with esteemed cycling journalist Michael Tomalaris at the helm.Michael has covered the race since 1996, with 2020 marking his 25th year. He'll be joined by co-host and former Giro dItalia stage winner David McKenzie. Calling every stage from start to finishisformer road cyclist and triple winner of the Tour de Frances green jersey Robbie McEwen and Matthew Keenan who's known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of world cycling. World record-breaking cyclist Dr. Bridie O'Donnell will join the Tour de France team for first time to provide in-depth analysis throughout the race.
Michael Tomalaris said:
SBS celebrates 30 years of Tour de France coverage in 2020. We like to think weve played a role in changing the TV viewing habits of Australians as a result of our increased broadcast over the years. From screening daily highlights packages in the early days to showing every push of every pedal of every stage in recent years, Le Tour has become an important part of SBS programming. The Tour means so much to so many people for different reasons. Sure, its a sporting event first and foremost, but throw in the magnificent scenery, the fascinating history, the journey through different regions and the cuisine offerings, and the Tour is an escape for SBS viewers tuning in on the other side of globe. Its a cultural journey without having to leave your lounge room. Im proud to have been linked to the Tour on SBS since 1996 and to have received the networks backing in that time is testament to the passion and dedication to all involved in the broadcast and who have grown to love the worlds biggest annual sporting event.
Some cyclists have confirmed their intention to ride in the 2020 Tour de France, including defending champion Egan Bernal, 2018 winner Geraint Thomas and four-time winner Chris Froome. Aussie contenders expected to ride include Richie Porte, Caleb Ewan, Simon Clarke, Heinrich Haussler and Alex Edmondson.
The KODA Tour Tracker app will return in 2020, streaming live pictures and allowing viewers to see real time data, stage profiles and catch up video to complement the full Tour de France coverage and deliver a fully comprehensive offering.
The Zwift SBS Tour de France podcast also returns, hosted by SBS French Radio's Christophe Mallet and David McKenzie with special guests. The daily podcast features updates on the race, as well as the fascinating characters and distinctly French' things that make this cycling race one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
SBS will launch a brand-new bite-sized food series Plat du Tour during SBS's coverage of the Tour de France. Hosted by renowned French chef Guillaume Brahimi, Plat du Tour takes over from the long-running Taste le Tour that wrapped in 2019 after 15 seasons with Gabriel Gat .
Plat du Tour champions the rustic, homespun skills of the French cook. Guillaume Brahimi will take viewers on a tour of great French cooking, and the series will feature 21 recipes that originate from different regions of France and correlate to the different Tour de France stages.
Host of Plat du Tour Guillaume Brahimi said:
I'm so excited to be hosting a new series that celebrates French cuisine and to be sharing a timeslot with the world's most iconic race. I've been cooking for nearly forty years and I still love it more than ever. I've been travelling around NSW and cooking gorgeous French food - the classics. It's been perfect, and I can't wait to share these recipes with Australian audiences when Plat du Tour premieres on 29 August.
Recipes include Ratatouille and Tapanede, Mussels Marini res, and Bouillabaisse with rouille. After the 2020 Tour de France is complete, Plat du Tour segments will air as special episodes on SBS Food. Plat du Tour is produced by Blink TV for SBS.
Read a PDF version of this media release, including notes to editors, here.
