When did TV coverage of major cycle races start in the UK?

[dwyatt]

I remember watching the channel 4 highlights when i was growing up, but channel 4 was only founded in 1982, so was there any coverage before then? Other than eurosport (which only arrived in the early 90's i think) was there any live coverage, or any coverage of other races other than the tour de france(prior to the last few years, when coverage has expanded)? My memory is that in the early 90's the highlights were often late at night, or even in the middle of night sometimes, anyone else remember this?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Hawkwood]

Re: When did TV coverage of major cycle races start in the U

I remember watching the channel 4 highlights when i was growing up, but channel 4 was only founded in 1982, so was there any coverage before then? Other than eurosport (which only arrived in the early 90's i think) was there any live coverage, or any coverage of other races other than the tour de france(prior to the last few years, when coverage has expanded)? My memory is that in the early 90's the highlights were often late at night, or even in the middle of night sometimes, anyone else remember this?

Thanks for any help.

World of Sport with Dickie Davis in the early to mid 1970s is the first coverage I can remember. The programme would have a brief round up of the Tour on Saturdays, and occasionally a brief (5-10 minute) round up of the classics. I remember seeing Hoban winning a stage into Bordeaux and David Saunders commentating, shouting into the mic as the rider crossed the line. Saunders was a good commentator, and when he sadly died his driver and co-journalist Phil Liggett took over from him, I wonder what became of him?!