Versus Locks Up Tour de France Through 2013
2008 Race Will Kick Off July 5 With 14 Hours Of Coverage A Day.
By Alex Weprin -- Broadcasting & Cable, 6/9/2008 5:44:00 AM EDT
Cable sports network Versus has extended its deal with the Amaury Sport Organization for exclusive U.S. television rights to the Tour de France through 2013.
Versus has featured Tour de France coverage as part of its summer programming for the past eight years.
"Signing a multi-year extension deal with the ASO demonstrates that the network’s commitment to the Tour de France has never been stronger. We are proud to be home to one of the most intense competitions on earth and a sporting event that truly embodies the essence of the Versus brand," said Gavin Harvey, President of Versus, announcing the deal. "With the field wide open this year, I’m confident we’re going to see an unbelievable competition unfold on the race course right through to the very end.”
“Add to that a strong presence of top American contenders and it’s anyone’s guess as to who will be wearing the yellow jersey on the Champs-Elysées," he added.
Versus will air 14 hours of race action a day, including a pre-race show, replays and a primetime show. The network will also make a condense version of that day’s stage available on its VOD platform.
The 2008 Tour de France begins July 5.
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It is taking a big risk, and is packing the pockets of the one sporting promoter that has enthusiastically driven a stake through the heart of the sport... and it is going to be supporting a renegade Tour, not under UCI control, not with last year's innocent victor on the highways and high hills of France (Contador: Astana team).
ASO's viewpoint of 'anti-doping' is not harmonious with cycling's efforts to clean up an historically decadent sport. Prudhomme himself was a journalist prior to being director of the Tour, but he's not famous for having penetrated and ended the doping WHILE WRITING about the sport, and making well his living from it.
NB: the UCI has quadrupled its Anti-doping budget from 2007 to 2008; they are spending nearly 9million CHF.
The onus on this generation of riders is fully apparent, and necessary, but there's no movement to 'break the chain' from the oldtimers that are now (as Prudhomme) claiming 'it must end now'...
