Eurosport have signed a deal with British Cycling to broadcast the best action from the British pro peloton in 2013.
The deal covers the six rounds of the Premier Calendar and Elite Circuit series respectively. The coverage will not be live, and will instead be broadcast as a highlights package within a week of the race.
The Premier Calendar, which has seen a 50 per cent reduction in the number of races since 2007, kicks off with the two-day Tour of the Reservoir on April 27-28, with highlights on May 3. The most prestigious race in the calendar, the Lincoln GP, will take place on May 12 with highlights on May 18.
The Elite Circuit Series, meanwhile, has rounds in Otley, Stockton, Wales, Colne, Beverley and Sheffield. Raleigh-GAC’s Graham Briggs will start the series as defending champion having won four of the seven rounds in 2012.
“Adding the best domestic races to our existing 40 race programme of Grand Tours and Classics adds even greater depth to our year round cycling coverage and strengthens our position as the home of cycling,” said Eurosport managing director David Kerr.
Premier Calendar
April 27-28 – Tour of the Reservoir (provisional broadcast date – May 3)
May 12 – Lincoln GP (May 18)
June 30 – Beaumont Trophy (July 5)
July 7 – Velo 29 Stockton GP (July 13)
July 14 – Grand Prix of Wales (July 19)
July 28 – Ryedale GP (August 3)
Elite Circuit Series
July 3 – Otley GP (provisional broadcast date – July 7)
July 5 – Velo 29 Stockton Town Centre (July 10)
July 12 – Wales Open Criterium (July 16)
July 17 – Colne GP (July 21)
July 19 – Beverley Town Centre Races (July 27)
July 24 – Sheffield GP (July 28)
