03 June 2014
The world's best cycle races are to be shown on S4C as the channel reveals plans to bring more coverage of the sport – including the Classics races and the world famous Le Tour de France.
Throughout June, S4C is the only free-to-air channel in Britain offering highlights of some of the Classics – a series of races which are among the most challenging in the world.
S4C is available on all major platforms in Wales and across the UK on Sky, Virgin, Freesat, and on demand via YouView. You can also watch live and on demand online at s4c.co.uk/clic
The Paris–Roubaix is the first race covered in the series Seiclo on Thursday 5 June (S4C, 10.00pm). Rhodri Gomer Davies presents and commentary is by Wyn Gruffydd, giving special focus to the Welsh angle, with Geraint Thomas among the front runners.
In the following weeks, every Thursday night, there will be coverage of La Flèche Wallonne (12 June); Liège - Bastogne - Liège (19 June); and Criterium du Dauphine (26 June).
This will take us up to the beginning of the Tour de France on Saturday 5 July.
On each stage of the Tour, S4C will join the cyclist live on the road for the final two hours of racing. Wyn Gruffydd will commentate on the action and bring the latest news as the leaders break away and sprint for the finish.
Then, each evening Rhodri Gomer Davies presents a comprehensive round up of the day's stage. Rhodri will also join the teams on the road as they take on the British stages.
This year, the Tour de France begins in Britain, with three stages held over three days starting in Leeds and ending on the Mall in London on 7 July. It will then return home to France with the finishing line on the Champs-Élysées, Paris three weeks later, Sunday 27 July.
One who will feel the world's eyes on him is the cycling coach Dave Brailsford, a Welsh speaker from Deiniolen, Snowdonia, who has lead Team Sky to two consecutive Tour de France victories. The team's success is largely down to this man, who spent years cycling the inclines of Snowdonia, and played football for local team Llanrug.
Dave Brailsford welcomes the increased interest in the sport and S4C's plans to broadcast daily live coverage from the Tour de France.
"It’s fantastic news that S4C are going to show the Tour de France," says Dave Brailsford.
"I think I can vouch as the head of Team Sky, who won the race twice, the Tour de France is a global event and it’s one of the biggest annual global events in sport. To have it shown on S4C is just a fantastic thing and I hope it’ll bring a whole new audience from Wales and more participation in Wales to the sport of cycling"
S4C Factual and Sports Commissioner Llion Iwan says, "Cycling has experienced a massive surge in popularity over recent years, with the names of cyclists and races becoming widely familiar.
"The success of Team Sky and Team GB has raised the profile, and in response to this we're proud to bring coverage of not only the Classics, which are of great importance to the cyclists, but also the most famous race of all Le Tour de France, which is widely known the world over and its popularity stretches beyond the world of cycling."
Watch S4C on all major platforms in Wales and in the rest of the UK on Sky 134; Freesat 120; Virgin 166; on demand on YouView; and live and on demand at s4c.co.uk/clic
Ends
The Classics
Paris-Roubaix, Thursday 5 June 10.00pm
La Flèche Wallonne, Thursday 12 June 10.00pm
Liege–Bastogne, Thursday 19 June 10.00pm
Criterium du Dauphine, Thursday 12 June 10.00pm
Le Tour de France
5–27 July
Live in the afternoon and evening highlights
