Following on from SBS’s successful broadcast of every stage of the 2014 Giro d’Italia, the Giro is back on SBS, with the public broadcaster covering every stage of the first grand tour of 2015 LIVE. Australian viewers will be hoping that Richie Porte can claim the Maglia Rosa in what is the 98th edition of the race. Read more about Richie’s preparation for the Giro here on SBS’s Cycling Central website.
SBS ONE’s stage coverage will start as early as 10:30PM AEST and as late as 12:05AM AEST (full broadcast guide here) (broadcast start times vary and sometimes begin online earlier). All stages will be streamed LIVE online at the Cycling Central website and stage highlights can be seen from 6pm on SBS 2.
Also for the first time, SBS has launched a free Giro d’Italia Tracker app for mobile devices (iOS and Android). This is essentially the same app which is used for its Tour de France coverage. The app is sponsored by Colonial First State and features include live streaming, full stats, GPS data, live and interactive stage maps.
The Giro is always a great race as the European winter is often still alive and well (i.e. snow) meaning riders must try to conquer Italy’s mountains in what is often difficult conditions (in recent years stages have been cancelled or diverted due to bad weather). Also as the Giro is the first Grand Tour of the year it is sure to throw up a few surprises as the riders test their legs over three weeks of gruelling racing where they will clock up 3,489 kilometres.
For the first time in Grand Tour history, the Giro d’Italia will include a spectacular Team Time Trial along a cycling path for Stage 1 on the Italian Riviera from San Lorenzo al Mare to Sanremo.
SBS’s coverage will be hosted by award-winning cycling journalist Michael Tomalaris with former professional cyclist Henk Vogels. Commentary will be provided by Matt Keenan and former Giro d’Italia stage winner David McKenzie.
The Giro starts on Saturday night (9 May) at 10:40PM AEST on SBS ONE.
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