Follow the Tour de France with S4C #AllezCymru

Follow the Tour de France with S4C #AllezCymru

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Showing Le Tour de France was one of the highlights of S4C's sporting schedule last year and the channel is crossing the Channel again this year for the world's greatest cycling race.

Seiclo: Le Tour de France will follow the race, which is over 3,000km long, from Saturday, 4 until Sunday, 26 July, with live afternoon programmes and comprehensive evening highlights.

This year's race will start in the Netherlands and then cross to Belgium and northern France, before moving to the south of France to the Alps and finishing in Paris.

'Team S4C' will be there every step of the way with commentators Wyn Gruffydd, Gareth Rhys Owen, John Hardy, musical brothers and keen cyclists Peredur ap Gwynedd and Rheinallt ap Gwynedd and the professional cyclist from Aberystwyth, Gruff Lewis and Sara Elen Thomas, Geraint Thomas' fiancée, making up the team, led by presenter Rhodri Gomer Davies.

"Being part of the Tour de France last year was an unforgettable experience. I remember watching the race as a child and being there in the flesh with S4C was amazing," says Rhodri, who is originally from Carmarthen and is a reporter for magazine shows Heno and Prynhawn Da and formerly played rugby for Northampton, the Dragons and the Scarlets.

"It's unbelievable what the cyclists face. Almost 3,500 kilometres, over 21 stages, in three weeks of cycling with only two days to rest in the middle. These men are 'superhuman', giving their whole lives to the sport, and Wales' Geraint Thomas' contribution to his team over the past few years has inspired a number of Welsh people to take up cycling."

Rhodri started cycling seriously when he and his friend, former rugby player Richard Parks, decided to raise money for orphaned children in Kenya by cycling in 2011. Their trip was such a success, that Rhodri set up Cycle Challenge Wales the following year, and the charity has now raised over £100,000 for various charities.

Rhodri has been inspired by the whole history of the Tour de France, not just the cycling.

"There are plenty of heroes such as Eddie Merckx, and even bad guys such as Lance Armstrong. Each of them plays a role in the amazing story of this race. The thorny relationship between two stars from the same team, Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome from Team Sky, has also added some spice to the race.

"I can't wait for the race to begin now. I hope this year's start in the Netherlands will be as good as last year's in Yorkshire. Vincenzo Nibali was last year's deserving winner and I hope we'll have another great race this time."

You can catch live coverage daily on S4C from Saturday 4 July with highlights each evening from the Welsh language broadcaster.

How to get S4C

In Wales
Freeview: 4
Virgin TV: 166
Freesat:104
Sky: 104

Outside of Wales
Virgin TV: 166
Freesat: 120
Sky: 134

Register to win a Team Sky jersey signed by Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe!