Easy access to the sport's biggest race is vital for inspiring new generations of riders - but it is about to be scrapped

The quality of bicycle racing has never been better. Unfortunately, the viewing experience for American cycling fans is at its lowest point in decades.

Last year, ITV lost the rights to broadcast the Tour de France from 2026, ending 40 years of free-to-air coverage of the race in the UK. The package was instead sold exclusively to Warner Bros Discovery, the parent company of TNT Sports. It is a bitter blow as the sport will disappear behind a paywall.

The 2025 Tour de France will be broadcast live on ITV4 in the UK, in what is the last year of free-to-air coverage of the race before it is exclusively shown on TNT Sports and Discovery+. Viewers can also stream the race online via ITVX app and website, and subscribers can watch the action on the TNT Sports and Discovery+ apps.

As the rebirth of the women's Tour de France, supported by Zwift, enters its fourth edition, it has become one of the most popular events on the calendar. It has taken the riders to the most iconic summits of La Super Planche des Belles, Col du Tourmalet, and Alpe d'Huez, all while pushing the race out to nine days.

The USA is one of the countries without a free-to-air broadcast arrangement for the Tour de France. NBC is showing the 2025 Tour de France (available on cable plans), while live streaming is ...