Free-to-air coverage confirmed for Tour of Britain Men and Women

Free-to-air viewers in the UK will be able to watch both the men's and women's Lloyds Tour of Britain this year, British Cycling has announced. The events will be broadcast live on ITV's YouTube channel, while the men's race, which takes place from September 2-6, will also be shown live on ITV. Highlights of both races will be available daily on ITV4 and online via ITVX, reintroducing cycling to the channel after ITV dropped the rights to the Tour de France this year.

The expanded coverage is part of a strategic partnership between ITV and TNT Sports, according to British Cycling. The races will also be broadcast live on TNT Sports and its subscription platform HBO Max. British Cycling aims for its largest-ever audiences, stating that the increased visibility benefits riders, teams, host locations, and partners.

Darren Henry, managing director of British Cycling Ventures, expressed excitement about the expanded coverage, emphasizing the organization's goal to bring the UK's premier cycling races to as many people as possible. ITV Sport's director of sport, Niall Sloane, confirmed that ITV will deliver a full broadcast package of the men's race, as it has done for recent editions.

However, the women's race, which begins on Wednesday in Cockermouth and concludes in Royal Leamington Spa on Sunday 23 August, has not been selected for live ITV broadcasting. This year, the men's race has been reduced to five stages from six previously, while the women's race has been increased from four to five stages to establish parity. The men's race starts in Lincoln on September 2 and concludes in Earlston, Scottish Borders, on September 6.