Tour of California to be shown on ITV4

If cycling enthusiasts aren't spending enough of their time in front of their televisions, next week will only add to the burden as ITV4 and Eurosport will both show daily live coverage from the Tour of California (May 15-22).

Eurosport have covered the race live since 2009, and will this year be joined this year by the ITV's free-to-air digital station, who are almost mirroring their schedule.

Ned Boulting, who fronts the station's Tour of Britain daily highlights programme, will anchor the coverage from a London studio, before passing the mic to popular duo Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen to call the action.

Brits have traditionally fared well in the five previous editions of the race, and a healthy number will be heading to the sunshine state once again.

Last year's winner Michael Rogers won't be riding, and his Sky team could instead focus on helping Ben Swift pick up his fifth win of the year. The sprinter will have fellow British team-mates Alex Dowsett, Chris Froome, Jeremy Hunt and Ian Stannard for company.

Also on the startline on Sunday will be Charlie Wegelius (UnitedHealthCare) and British-born Dan Martin (Garmin-Cervélo).

If the coverage from Italy and America wasn't enough, Sky Sports will air highlights of the recent Lincoln Grand Prix on Tuesday (May 17) at 9.30pm.

ITV4 Tour of California schedule

Sunday 15th May, 2200-0000 LIVE Stage 1 on ITV4

Monday 16th May, 2130-0000 LIVE Stage 2 on ITV4

Tuesday 17th May, 2130-0000 LIVE Stage 3 on ITV4

Wednesday 18th May, 2200-0000 LIVE Stage 4 on ITV4

Thursday 19th May, 2200-0000 LIVE Stage 5 on ITV4

Friday 20th May, 2200-0000 LIVE Stage 6 on ITV4

Saturday 21st May, times TBC Stage 7 on ITV4

Sunday 22nd May, times TBC Stage 8 on ITV4

*ITV4 is available on Freeview (Channel 24), Freesat (Channel 117), Sky (Channel 120), Virgin Media (Channel 118) and online at itv.com/itv4

Related links

Call for ITV to broadcast more cycling