The world’s greatest cycling event returns to ITV on July 1st with the start of the 2006 Tour de France.

ITV will have daily highlights from the 2006 Tour on ITV4 (available on freeview), presented by Gary Imlach with commentary from Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen, expert analysis from former Tour de France rider and Olympic champion Chris Boardman, and reports from Ned Boulting. Over each weekend, ITV3 will also carry some live coverage in the afternoon.

The daily one hour highlights programmes will be a mix of action and features and they will be running a weekly competition with the prize a VIP trip to Paris to see the finale on 23rd July. Times yet to be confirmed, expect it to be around tea time – just when you’re out on your bike… but the programme will be repeated each day.

Live weekend programmes will air on ITV3 on 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 22nd and 23rd July.

Full times thanks to Nathan, RCUK reader…

Prologue coverage is on ITV3 and from 1.30-3.30pm
Stage 1 coverage is from 3.15-4.45pm.

Nightly highlights on ITV4 are from 7-8pm.