ITV4 will show the Tour de France in 2021 (and so will Eurosport)
The good news for UK cycling fans is that ITV4 will be covering the whole of the 2021 Tour de France. They’ll have live coverage and then highlights at 7pm, same as every year. (Although the highlights do sometimes get shunted back a bit.)
Some of the bigger stages will also be broadcast from the start.
Live coverage
Ned Boulting and David Millar are now firmly-established as commentators, supplemented by Daniel Friebe and Matt Rendell in the multilingual roving reporter roles.
Over on Eurosport, I’m guessing it’ll be Carlton Kirby and Rob Hatch and the comically unemotional Sean Kelly – a man whose knowledge of cycling is only surpassed by his complete inability to get any sense of passion across. Kirby is a bit of an acquired taste and somewhat prone to talking cobblers, but he can be entertaining during the duller passages of the race.
Hatch I rather like, although some find him a bit excitable. Personally, I reckon he’s pretty good at combining descriptive commentary with the all-important idle waffle (although he may focus rather too much on the cycling for those who enjoy the ambience of the race more than the sport).
Let’s be honest, it’ll be Boulting and Millar for most of us though.
Highlights
When it comes to highlights, ITV4 wins hands down. It is a TV programme, as opposed to just being the highlights of the racing, so they try and tell a story, summarising the day and framing it in the context of the race as a whole. Done badly, this approach could be frustrating. But they don’t do it badly – largely because they have a good group of people involved.
Chris Boardman will doubtless take time off from making Manchester’s roads safe to drop in at some point and you can also expect to see some combination of the current or former pros who appeared last year – Pete Kennaugh, Sarah Storey and Dani Rowe.
Most importantly of all, Gary Imlach will be there, anchoring things with his usual dry pithiness.
It’s worth noting that if you miss the ITV4 highlights when they’re on, they usually appear on the ITV Player within an hour or so – although it can be a bit hit and miss, particularly at the weekend, so try not to rely on this.
Eurosport’s on-demand service is more reliable – albeit the highlights can sometimes seem like arbitrary stretches of the live coverage pasted together with no real thought for how they fit together.
Bradley Wiggins will be taking time off from his midlife crisis to do sofa punditry over there and he’s actually very good at it.
Other
In addition to this, why not follow the race via this website? If you haven’t done so already, here’s why you should sign up for email updates.
And if you already subscribe and enjoy the site, I’d really appreciate it if you could tell other people about it as well because my marketing campaign basically amounts to crossing my fingers.
(This article is an updated version of last year’s article about UK TV coverage of the Tour de France.)
Liggett is turning out to be Mr Teflon, nothing sticks to him… except money.
Is that one of the qualities of Teflon? You can easily attach cash to it?
It’s not so much the associations with Armstrong that are so incriminating as some of the arguments he’s made. They show a distinct lack of comprehension of concepts that he should be totally on top of in order to do his job.
Just one quote, but there are plenty more:
Is it really acceptable for a mainstream commentator to voice opinions like that?
Gary Imlach? Wasn’t he the American Football guy waaaaay back when on Channel 4?
He was indeed. I don’t watch American Football, but I’ve half a mind he still covers the sport on whatever channel broadcasts it.
I’ll be sticking with Eurosport. Can’t beat Sean Kelly’s impenetrable bog Irish accent and complete lack of anything even remotely resembling a sense of humour.
Also, his hatred of dramatic tension. His matter-of-fact assertions that a rider from the break will almost certainly be caught before the finish can feel like sabotage of his co-commentator’s efforts to inject life into duller stages.
david millar ex drug taker now commentating WHY,he should be banned by itv4 will not watch in future will go to eurosport
whatever the story
David Millar subsequently has been very proactive in the bid to stop drug taking
re Eurosport
I like their commentary, watched for years particularly when Duffers was there
I enjoy Sean Kelly’s commentary, given the era that he was racing – you really think he was drug free
As you will have heard, David Millar is going to be commentating in ITV4 – top stuff. I wish it were in better circumstances for him, but top stuff none the less.
I hadn’t hear that, actually. Good news indeed. He’s usually got something worth hearing to say.
I’ve read elsewhere that ITV are switching to Boulting and Millar because they don’t have any editorial control over Phil and Paul, who provide commentary for NBC and a number of other territories. I’ll miss them, but Ned and David have become a good team. They’ve actually been doing it for a while – two Dauphines and last year’s Vuelta too. Millar was a little tongue tied at first but he’s settled into it. Someone might have to set Ned a quota for his use of the phrase “a famous victory” though.
It’s a shame that ITV don’t carry the Giro. I followed it for the first time this year thanks to the very reasonable eurosport pass, but I wasnt that impressed by the eurosport presentation – the main commentator was ok but Sean Kelly (bless him) sounded like he was narrating road works and the post race chat was well below the standard set by Imlach and Boardman. Eurosport didn’t give GC standings, not evening in their evening reruns, which I thought was piss poor. Still, they’re the only game in town for much of the calendar.
Ned and Dave first appeared at last year’s Tour of Yorkshire, I think. They were pretty ropey, but ITV do the Tour of Britain as well as the races you mention and they’ve got the hang of things now.
Every commentator has his pet phrases and at least Ned’s “a famous victory” isn’t quite as frequent as Phil’s “the ride of his life.”
Personally, I think they’re a better bet. Phil and Paul weren’t pronouncing half of the riders’ names right and there was always that weird thing where they’d spend ten minutes talking about some American rider who was never going to do anything anyway.
Eurosport are pretty shoestring, but they’re committed to the sport.
I just watched the ITV start of the Tour and am disappointed that Phil and Paul are not doing the commentary Phils’ voice has been part on my tour viewing for years, its a bit like loosing Murray Walker from F1, but you quickly get used to it, I wouldn’t watch Eurosport because that Irish drone drives me mad.
Please bring back Phil and Paul. Let Ned do the funny bit on the bikes and David Millar can do the expert analysis but please bring back Phil and Paul. It’s not the same without them.
I have just watched the Tour de France on ITV4, and I was surprised to hear that Ned Boulting and David Millar were commentating.
I’ve just read on this website and it looks as though that ITV want a new look team and replace Phil and Paul.
In my opinion, Phil Liggett is a legend when it comes to Tour de France, he always commentates this event. He will be missed as well as Paul. I like where he talks about buildings, such as churches, cathedrals or château about the history of them going back centuries and when they were built.
No disrespect, but I don’t think David knows any history of the locations that the helicopter shows on TV. It’s hard to replace Paul.
I NEVER watch Eurosport coverage as I can’t stand Sean Kelly and his Irish accent. As for Carlton Kirby no. He’s a thumbs down as well. I also don’t like when they show interviews and cut out the live coverage of the event.
That’s why I prefer ITV 4.
They’re the best ones to watch. Gary Imach and Chris Boardman are better presenters and know their cycling well.
I’ll give Ned and David more time, but I’m sure they’ll do well. I thought Ned got very excited at the sprint finish when Cavendish won today.
I will definitely miss Chris and Ned’s funny antics they do before the coverage is shown.
Louise, well said!
I think Phil and Paul should ALWAYS be part of the Tour!
Don’t get me wrong, I think Ned Boulting and David Millar are good, but like you said- David hasn’t got the knowledge about buildings, etc.
It’s sad, it’s not going to be the same!????
What genius made the decision to oust Paul & Phil? You have lost all support you fools.
David Miller sounds as exciting as if he’s reading a telephone directory. Bring back Paul and Phil.
Boring,boring snd dull.
PLEASE bring back Paul and Phil ,this dull monotone commentary is so boring it’s ruined the Tour de France. Why spoil something that was soooooo good. Two hours of this is painfull.
Boulting and Millar are OK but they ain’t no Ligget and Sherwen…..please bring back Phil and Paul !
This year’s tour is just not the same. Ned and David are so so boring. No comment on scenery or where they are going through. Bring back Phil and Paul please. Their commentary was ace
David Millar is dire. Absolutely boring with his bizarre, ‘and then this will happen, but this could happen, and then this will happen…’ no pause for breath, predictions for every second of the race.
Ned and (extremely knowledgeable and funny) Boardman were brill together. Such a pity.
We miss Phil liggitt and Sherwen . Miller & Boulting are knowledgeable about the race tactics but they talked about the riders and their past experience all the time,So boring at times. The Tour de France is a cycle race but it is also about France , the countryside and history. I have been a fan for 50 years and I have interested in a lot of friends , family and colleagues to follow the tour. Please, please try to make it more interesting.
Having watched the Tour De France for a number of years, even from it’s initial days on Channel4. It is disappointing that ITV are not using the wonderful Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen this year. Their commentary was always informatory and enjoyable. Please bring them back ITV.
The commentary of this years tour is so boring it wants you to turn the TV off. I do not have Sky or otherwise I would turn over. Bring back Phil and Paul,
Well my garden is getting more attention than I expected at this time of year because I’d rather watch the grass grow than listen to Millar. Perhaps he knows what he’s talking about (especially when it comes to drugs) but he just does not have what is required to be a professional commentator. He is ruining the event for me.
David Millar, Sean Kelly and Ned Boulting have killed the 2016 toure de France on itv 4 and eurosport
So boring monotone voices Millar and Kelly can’t understand them, one long sentence goes on and on I feel out of breath sounds if they are reading a script .have to keep my finger on the pause button ,hide all the ropes getting suicidal.
I look forward to the toure every year but these commentators have killed it .
More fizz in a bottle pop than these.they do my head in.
Come on itv and pay for some good entertaining commentators.
Brlng back Phil and Paul.
Need Boulting is very poor indeed and will never be a good commentator. Bring back Paul and Phil please please please
It’s clear that ITV sees the Tour as a prime advertising opportunity for the usual betting brands who infest the screens around all the other sporting events on TV. Betting and gambling have been a lucrative source of income for ITV.
A change of profile suits this move along with presenters.
How this? Wasn’t Millar suspended over doping in his career? So what’s with the unfair association of Liggett with Armstrong etc by one of your comments here.
I don’t think Phil indulged anything more than a good Beaujolai with a steak poise rare. Bon apertif!
Would you mind posting my comment instead of censoring it?
I haven’t censored any comments.
Why would I?
I salute ITV for looking to the future. Phil and Paul do have legendary status and were very quotable but they were so annoying with their repetitive phrases, lack of insight and actual commentary on how the race was unfolding; constantly hyping it up for an American audience I think.
Ned Boulting has a laid back approach with the occasional quirky line, but able to get excited at critical moments. David Millar’s insights are superb.
Millar and boulting are an excellent team – Millar particularly insightful; specifically the time when as part of a pair riding in front of the peloton his team mate hid on a drive way to avoid the shame when they were caught! Very dry in delivery but particularly insightful
The cycling is wonderful spoilt by boring boulting. Is this an example of commentating on the cheap.
No, because the alternative is buying in another channel’s commentary and trying to pass it off as their own – which is what they used to do with Phil and Paul for the Tour de France.
Paul & Phil are a pleasure to listen to. Informative articulate imparting a sense of history of the race and the regions it passes through. Your coverage has lost its magic without them. Bring them back. Turned it off- looking at Wimbledon
well, I may be outnumbered,
but I am sooooo very relieved to see the back of Messrs PL & PS
good riddance, don’t need their self important twaddle
I’ve watched the Tour de France for years, many of them before I enjoyed the cycling. I loved seeing the French countryside and getting history lessons about all the little villages and churches along the way. I’m still watching because I’ve become an accidental cycling fan, but it’s not as enjoyable now. It’s more like football commentary, where some expert witters on pointlessly all the time. Shame.
This years tour de France commentary on itv4 just after 2 days is so boring.
What is the point of the fabulous helicopter shots being shown of the surrounding area of the country and Ned Boulting and David Millar do not even try to explain the history what we are shown.
They seem to think everybody needs to know facts and figures of the race at all times.
As a viewer I love the race but also would like to know more about the history of the fabulous buildings the helicopter shots keep showing.
Your 2 commentators go on and on it makes me lose interest in the race as facts and figures all the time become so boring.
I like what Janet says above about becoming an accidental cycling fan!
Not really a sport fan, but have always enjoyed watching Le Tour and thought it was made by Phil and Paul’s commentary. Tried watching it last year with Ned and David but gave up, and am feeling the same this year 🙁 Ned sounds too much like he’s trying to be jolly and David sounds too dour (IMHO of course!)
Wish there was a way to watch with P&P still, but unless you live in the USA, can’t see how …
I agree with the other’s I miss Phil and Paul, Ned and David are boring and I don’t care to listen to a drugs cheat, they make it nearly unwatchable as for you slamming Paul for “supporting” drugs cheats then praising David Millar’s appointment is hypocritical since he is a drugs cheat. The tour is almost unwatchable for me with these two at least Gary and Chris are still there, maybe they should commentate Chris does the Olympics so why not.
I would rather watch paint dry than listen to these two talking in their nasally accents. Totally ruined what used to be the highlight of our viewing year.
Hi
With so many cyclists having been robbed of the opportunity to further their cycling careers by drug cheats, because in theory they weren’t good enough.
Why does itv offer David Miller a former drug cheat another rung up the ladder and the opportunity to further his career of the back of his former cheating escapades.
Surely their is a cyclist more deserving of his position at itv.
Please could you inform me why this is.
And the response
The production team have advised the following:
“The appointment of David Millar as a commentator alongside Ned Boulting was always going to be divisive. We were fully aware of David’s doping background when we appointed him but were equally aware that following his ban and subsequent return to the sport he has been publicly and privately remorseful and has campaigned against drugs in sport ever since. We considered other candidates for the role but David’s experience and knowledge made him the obvious choice.”
Thank you for taking the time to contact us and if you have any additional queries, please do not hesitate to contact us again.
Kind regards,
I question divisive being an obvious choice. More like jobs for the boys.
I would rather listen to David Millar any day, rather than the unarticulate, um, er Sean Kelly, , ya no, well , da,well, repeat, um er , something unintelligible, ya no, repeat, um, da, (something blindingly obvious (that happened 5 minutes ago) .
So here we go! Start of le tour! Whoever commentates we are in for a great couple of weeks. I will miss Broadman though!
I can’t watch TDF on ITV4 any more. The commentators send me to sleep they are so boring. It might be better if they put some life into their voices. I thought it would get better as time went on but it hasn’t. To me, their commentary is more like an internal team discussion, interseting for those whpo actually ride in the teams and like to know who is doing what, but when it comes to watching a race I like to hear about the race itself.
Good to have the TdF still on itv 4 with Gary at the helm. I’m not initially impressed by Chris Boardman’s replacement, didn’t have the screen presence or any meaningful insight but it’s early days of course.
I was amused by Ned’s initial miscalling of the day one result, it reminded me of the Alan Partridge horse racing sketch … “No! Christ’s Chin won! … I got confused”
I haven’t seen his replacement yet. I’m catching up. Going to excitedly venture internal guesses as to who it might be based on your comment.
I didn’t especially recognise him, was vaguely aware of the name but no more… he may be more familiar to you
Peter Kennaugh. He was a very promising rider who people thought would be suited to grand tours but he’s taking an indefinite break at the minute because he doesn’t enjoy pro cycling any more.
I think there’s been some depression and he sounds a little like a man who’s still rather emotionally weighed down during his TV appearances so far. I’d put that down to inexperience and nerves though.
Give him a chance. He once made a very funny cameo on the Champs Elysees, cycling into shot during an Imlach-Boardman segment and asking them whether they’d done the bike competition yet.
I have to agree, the commentary is very dull indeed. No passion or excitement, nor any information about any historical sites shown by the helicopter shots.
ITV would do well to turn up the background noise, I would rather listen to the crowds cheering rather than uninspiring flat commentry in the obviously boxy studio that they are in. I have nothing against Millar and Boulting, they have great things to add, there just needs another person who has a little enthusiasim!
Shame really, I might try Eurosport instead.
COME BACK CHRIS BOARDMAN PLEASE…MY HUSBAND AND I MISS YOU. GARY’S GOOD AND ENJOYABLE AS ALWAYS, BUT IT’S NOT THE SAME WITHOUT YOU CHRIS.
GUTTED – I tuned in to ITV this evening, knowing that it’s the first big mountain stage. But WTF is Boardman? Having spent the best part of 20 years watching men on bikes, Chris B openend my eyes in 2012 as to actually what was going on… Since then I have enjoyed his professional analysis of each stage. ITV – IT IS YOUR DUTY TO GET HIM BACK…. The roads of Mancheter will be the same in a ocupld of weeks but the TdF is massively the worse for your absence.
I really like ITV 4 courage of the Tour de France and hope they can cover the Vuelta and Giro.
Eurosport are still sticking with boring old Sean Kelly and when asked for his comments he starts with er or well or um
They have talked him out of the phrase “you make your calculations but that took a while.
One of the commentators on Eurosport over pronounces the riders name and the towns they pass through.
I flick between ITV4 and Eurosport.
I love Carlton and Sean during the “quieter” moments of a race to hear the chit chat.
But Boulting and Millar get my vote for the more exciting bits of the race.
ITV4 win for the highlights package and Podcast. Matt Rendell and Peter Kennaugh are brilliant
Boulting and Millar are excellent but are they being paid to mention Sagan all the time. Its Sagan this and Sagan that. He hasn’t done anything yet
He’s won seven green jerseys. Even if he’s not currently in the lead, he’s the preeminent figure in that competition.
David Millar , drug cheat , is no ambassador for cycling . Replace him immediately . Eurosport for me I’m afraid .