2012 Amgen Tour of California TV schedule

Maybe the world of international cycling will be focused on the Giro d’Italia right now, but U.S. cycling fans can enjoy a race a little closer to home beginning this weekend with the Amgen Tour of California. The eight-stage race begins in Santa Rosa on Sunday, May 13, and ends in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 20. NBC Sports Network and NBC combine to televise all eight stages, beginning Sunday at 5pm ET. NBC will have live coverage of the final stage on May 20 at 1pm ET. There’s a pretty nifty route map and schedule available to download here from the race’s official website.

2012 Amgen Tour of California TV schedule and press release from the NBC Sports Group below:

NBC SPORTS GROUP TO AIR LIVE DAILY COVERAGE OF 2012 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA– MAY 13-20

Daily Live Coverage on NBC Sports Network begins May 13 at 5 p.m. ET

Final Stage will Air Live on NBC For the First Time May 20 at 1 P.M. ET

NEW YORK (May 3, 2012) — NBC Sports Network will provide live daily coverage of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California, the premier U.S.-based cycling event featuring some of the world’s top professional cyclists, starting Sunday, May 13 at 5 p.m. ET. Additionally, for the first time ever, the final stage will air on NBC on May 20 at 1 p.m. ET and will re-air on NBC Sports Network at 6:30 p.m. ET later that night.

NBC Sports Network will provide live coverage of each stage of the Tour, from May 13-19, including grueling mountain stages up Mt. Baldy and Mt. Diablo. NBC Sports Network’s live HD coverage includes an exclusive preview show on Sunday, May 6 at 4 p.m. ET, and daily highlights that will air on the network each night during the eight-day competition.

NBC Sports Network will give viewers unprecedented access to the competition with in-depth profiles on the race’s top riders, including American cyclist and last year’s defending champion Chris Horner, who will discuss his 2011 victory and his major crash during the 2011 Tour de France.

COMMENTATORS: Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen will be on site in California to provide commentary and insight for each day of NBC Sports Group’s coverage with Bob Roll returning as the in-race reporter.

LIGGETT ON THE RACE: “This is an exciting course with a really tough final few days around Big Bear and Mt. Baldy. A lot of the European riders now prefer this race to the Giro d’Italia, as they prepare for the Tour de France, so the field just gets stronger and stronger. In my opinion, this is the best route in the race’s seven years and will provide a real clash of the titans.”

NBCSports.com will be the premier destination for cycling fans throughout the entire competition with expert predictions from Liggett, Sherwen and Roll along with results, video recaps of each stage, and interviews from some of the best riders in the world.

NBC Sports Group’s live schedule for the 2012 Amgen Tour of California follows (all times ET, subject to change):

DATE/COURSE/TIME/NETWORK

Sun., May 13 Stage 1 – Santa Rosa to Santa Rosa, 5-7 p.m. NBCSN
Mon., May 14 Stage 2 – San Francisco to Santa Cruz County, 5-7 p.m. NBCSN
Tues., May 15 Stage 3 – San Jose to Livermore, 5-7 p.m. NBCSN
Wed., May 16 Stage 4 – Sonora to Clovis, 5-7 p.m. NBCSN
Thurs., May 17 Stage 5 – Bakersfield (Individual Time Trial), 5-7 p.m. NBCSN
Fri., May 18 Stage 6 – Palmdale to Big Bear Lake, 5-7 p.m. NBCSN
Sat., May 19 Stage 7 – Ontario to Mt. Baldy, 7-9 p.m. NBCSN
Sun., May 20 Stage 8 – Beverly Hills to Los Angeles, 1-3 p.m. NBC
Stage 8 – Beverly Hills to Los Angeles (re-air), 6:30-9 p.m. NBCSN

 

About Ryan Berenz 2166 Articles
Member of the Television Critics Association. Charter member of the Ancient and Mystic Society of No Homers. Squire of the Ancient & Benevolent Order of the Lynx, Lodge 49, Long Beach, Calif. Costco Wholesale Gold Star Member since 2011.