2009 Tour of California LIVE on Eurosport
Gold Rush Continues  - Amgen Tour of California Live Coverage  Expands to European  Fans Bike Goes to Europe - Live on Eurosport February 14 with David Harmon calling the action...

The Tour of California will reach its largest international audience with the expansion of coverage to Europe as Eurosport picks up broadcast of the race. Once again Daily Peloton readers will be able to meet and discuss the live race action in our chat room during the live coverage.

Lance Armstrong continues his professional comeback in the 2009 Amgen Tour of California which begins on 14 February and is LIVE on Eurosport and Eurosport 2.The iconic seven-time Tour de France champion makes his much anticipated return to professional cycling this year after a three and a half year hiatus.  Following his first comeback event in Australia, Armstrong will head to California with the Astana team to tackle the nine day race which covers over 750 miles from Sacramento to San Diego County.

David Harmon, Eurosport’s cycling expert and commentator for the Tour of California, gives his views on America’s biggest stage race, which is now in its fourth year.

“The Tour of California has become an important race - the most prestigious stage race in the USA and the de facto “Tour of the United States”. People want to go and want to be there,” he explained.

The list of riders this year is the strongest yet with Lance Armstrong, two-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer and 2008 Olympic Champion Fabian Cancellara heading a star-studded field. Harmon added: “This year there is quite a line up. As well as Lance, there’s the Tour de France champion, Carlos Sastre, with his brand new team [Cervelo TestTeam] and Ivan Basso [Liquigas] is back from suspension and riding in his first major race since his ban.”

British fans will be hoping 2008’s breakthrough sprint star Mark Cavendish (Columbia) shines in the Californian sun following his stage win in the Tour of Qatar recently but it is, of course, Lance Armstrong who the home fans will be cheering.

On Armstrong’s comeback to professional cycling, David admits surprise at the announcement. “My initial reaction was that he was completely bonkers! But the riders appreciate him being back and his return has massively increased cycling’s profile. The Tour of Down Under attracted three times as many spectators this year, for example. Like him or loathe him, he brings profile to the sport - which can only be a good thing.”

Follow all the action LIVE on Eurosport and Eurosport 2 with commentary from David Harmon.

Tour of California LIVE on Eurosport
Sat 14 Feb - Prologue: Sacramento 3.9km
2200-0000 LIVE on Eurosport & Eurosport HD\Sun 15 Feb - Stage 1: Davis to Santa Rosa 173.2km
2200-0000 LIVE on Eurosport & Eurosport HD

Mon 16 Feb - Stage 2: Sausalito to Santa Cruz 186.6km
1730-2030 LIVE on Eurosport

Tue 17 Feb -Stage 3: San Jose to Modesto 167.7km
2100-2300 LIVE on Eurosport 2

Wed 18 Feb - Stage 4: Merced to Clovis 185.7km
2100-2330 LIVE on Eurosport 2 & Eurosport HD*

Thu 19 Feb - Stage 5: Visalia to Paso Robles 216.1km
2100-2330 LIVE on Eurosport 2 & Eurosport HD*

Fri 20 Feb - Stage 6: Solvang (Individual Time Trial) 24km
2100-2300 LIVE on Eurosport 2 & Eurosport HD*

Sat 21 Feb - Stage 7: Santa Clarita to Pasadena 143km
2200-0000 LIVE on Eurosport 2 & Eurosport HD

Sun 22 Feb - Stage 8: Rancho Bernardo to Escondido 155.8km
2200-0000 LIVE on Eurosport 2 & Eurosport HD*

*Start times on Eurosport HD may vary in comparison with the Eurosport 2 schedule

Eurosport is available on Sky 410 and Virgin Media 521. Eurosport 2 is available on Sky 411 and Virgin Media 525. Eurosport HD is available on Sky 412. Eurosport channels also available via Eurosport Player http://player.eurosport.co.uk.

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