June 29, 2011 (Toronto, ON) – TSN2 has exclusive Canadian coverage of cycling’s most prestigious event, the Tour de France. The network is home to all 21 stages beginning Saturday, July 2 at 8 a.m. ET live on TSN2. Both TSN and TSN2 will feature prime-time encore broadcasts of every stage – see complete broadcast schedule below and visit HERE.

TSN2’s 80 hours of live coverage will be broadcast in High Definition for the first time on Canadian television.

TSN2 will feature Versus’ acclaimed Tour de France coverage with veteran broadcasters Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwen, and Bob Roll – the respected voices of cycling – as they providing insight and commentary roadside from France.

The gruelling three-week event will feature 22 teams of the best cyclists in the world racing through France in pursuit of the coveted yellow jersey. The Tour de France covers close to 3,500 kilometres, beginning July 2 with the 190-kilometre first stage in Passage du Grois and ending July 24 in the Champs-Élysées.

As fans gear up for the Tour de France TSN.ca will deliver daily highlights as well as the latest race news and results. Canada’s industry-leading sports website will also feature a history of Canadians that have competed in the Tour de France, a list of 2011 riders to watch and an interactive route map.

The nation will be represented by Victoria, B.C.’s Ryder Hesjedal, returning to the Tour de France after an impressive 7th overall finish in last year’s event – the highest finish for a Canadian since 1988 when Steve Bauer placed 4th. Fans can follow Hesjedal’s progress HERE throughout the Tour de France.

Three-time Tour de France winner and defending champion Alberto Contador is set to compete against an elite field of cyclists, including two-time runner-up Andy Schleck – Contador’s biggest rival that finished behind him by a mere 39 seconds last year.

TSN2’s broadcast schedule for the 2011 Tour de France is as follows: