Tour broadcast revealed

Posted on: Staff Writer

 Aryssah Stankevitsch    

Times Reporter   
 
The Tour of Alberta announced its upcoming broadcast schedule for this September’s event; through Sportsnet, the tour of 120 riders cycling over 900 km is expected to reach up to 30 million homes in Canada, and up to an additional 168 million worldwide.
“They’ll be doing live cut-ins and various arrangements,” said Val Mellesmoen, director of marketing, communications, and broadcast for the Tour of Alberta. “They’re going to be present at each of the locations.”
The broadcast schedule is as follows (in MST): September 3 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.;September 4 and 5 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and September 6, 7, 8 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sportsnet will also include one-hour highlights of the race during primetime.
The international broadcast schedule will be announced later this week. The races will also be webcast in some form, through either the Tour of Alberta or the Sportsnet website.
“Sportsnet really reached out to us in the early days, they’re really taking a mandate. They want to be able to be the broadcaster – the sports network – that really specializes in cycling,” Mellesmoen said.
Sportsnet already carries the broadcast rights for all major cycling races, including next year’s Tour de France.
“We’ve got an outstanding broadcast team put together, some of the leading people in Canada,” Mellesmoen said. “It’s a lot of moving parts, it’s not without its challenges, but I think that we’ve got a great team, and we’re really looking forward to seeing it broadcast around the world, and especially around Canada.”
The Tour of Alberta online store is now up and running as well, offering memorabilia including a commemorative racing jersey.
On August 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m in the Kinsmen Park North Lot, the Can-Bike festival will be rolling into town, including a scavenger hunt, bike checks, helmet fitting, and a handling course for ages 8-12. All kids are welcome to come meet the Tour’s mascot Swifty The Fox. Pre-register by calling the Town of Strathmore at (403) 934-3133.