Daily TV coverage plus a Tour Watch Party

The Tour of California starts today and runs through Sunday, February 22. (I still think it’s funny that it’s sponsored by the company that makes EPO!) It should be a good race this year with 9 days instead of 8 and a lot more mountains including on the final stage. Also, the racer list is pretty all-star with Lance Armstrong, former tour winners Carlos Sastre and Alberto Contador, sprinters Tom Boonen and Mark Cavendish as well as former cycling bad boys Tyler Hamilton, Ivan Basso, and Floyd Landis all attempting comebacks.

For those who have the Versus channel, there will be daily live coverage as well as recaps during the week.

If you don’t have Versus, don’t despair. Mellow Johnny’s is having a Tour of California Watch Party on Friday, Feburary 20 at 6:30 PM. This watch of the Solvang time trial will include wine tastings from various California regions, hor’dourve food pairings. Entry is $15 and  only $10 if you are on your bike. Limit 50 tickets and proceeds benefit Lance Armstrong Foundation. RSVP to erin@mellowjohnnys.com if you want to attend.

Here’s the viewing schedule from Versus:

Saturday, Feb. 14 – Sacramento
4PM CST (1 hour Preview, 1 hour Live)

Sunday, Feb. 15 – Davis to Santa Rosa
5PM CST (Live)

Monday, Feb. 16 – Sausalito to Santa Cruz 
11:30AM CST (Live)
10PM CST (Recap)

Tuesday, Feb. 17 – San Jose to Modesto
4PM CST (Live)
10PM CST (Recap)

Wednesday, Feb. 18 – Merced to Clovis
3PM CST (Live)
10PM CST (Recap)

Thursday, Feb. 19 – Visalia to Paso Robles
3PM CST (Live)
10PM CST (Recap)

Friday, Feb. 20 – Solvang
3PM CST (Live)
10PM CST (Recap)

Saturday, Feb. 21 – Santa Clarita to Pasadena 
4PM CST (Live)

Sunday, Feb. 22 – Rancho Bernardo to Escondido
4PM CST (Live)