NATIONAL ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE BROADCAST LIVE

[veloriders]

The highly anticipated National Road Race Championships, which will see the best British riders, compete for the coveted red, white and blue national road race champion’s jersey in Pendle, Lancashire, on Sunday 27 June, will be broadcast live for the first time in history. Competing in this year’s race Men’s race, just one week before the start of the Tour de France, will be a number of household names including Mark Cavendish, David Millar, last year’s surprise winner Kristian House and a host of Team Sky riders. The line-up for the Women’s race is just as impressive and includes Nicole Cooke, Emma Pooley and Lizzie Armitstead.

With barely a metre of flat roads and almost constant twists and turns, the 7.5 mile circuit will make it easy for breaks to get out of sight and difficult for teams to put a chase together. Organisers hope that this will translate into exciting on-screen action for the TV and online viewer.

The live broadcast will be on British Eurosport 2 from 3pm until 5:45pm on Sunday 27 June with the Men’s race also available to watch live online on the Eurosport Player. Highlights of the Men’s Championships will be shown on Monday 28 June at 2.45pm on British Eurosport, followed by highlights of the Women’s race at 4.15pm.

British Cycling’s Cycle Sport and Membership Director, Jonny Clay, said: "I am delighted that we have secured a deal with Eurosport, adding a great domestic event to the broadcaster’s impressive portfolio of leading cycling races which include three Grand Tours, World Track and World Road Championships. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Eurosport for bringing this great race to millions of viewers at home and now we are just looking forward to a great race and hopefully good weather on the day."

Brian Cookson, British Cycling’s President said: “This is great news, the beautiful Pendle countryside and picturesque villages will provide fantastic television images. With the National Sportive rides for everyone on the Saturday and both the Men's and Women's Championships on the Sunday, it's going to be a great weekend of cycling to be part of, as participant, spectator or viewer.

Dave Kerr, Director of British Eurosport, said: “We are delighted to bring our growing audience of cycling fans the first ever live coverage of the National Road Race Championships. Eurosport in the UK has worked hard in recent years to broadcast more domestic UK cycling events to reflect the growing participation and passion for the sport in this country. The 2010 line-up of riders is hugely exciting and we are looking forward to broadcasting it live for the first time.”

British Eurosport is available on Sky channel 410 and Virgin Media channel 521. British Eurosport 2 is available on Sky channel 411 and Virgin Media channel 525. To watch the men’s race online go to www.eurosportplayer.co.uk.

For more information please visit www.britishcycling.org.uk.
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