Watching brief

See it on TV

If California is too far to visit, British Eurosport will be showing the Tour of California live each day, which with the time difference will mean some rare late-evening entertainment for those in the UK. Look forward to coming home from work to enjoy full stage coverage.

Best bits

Stage races tend to boast about their ‘queen stage’ – the decisive leg that should see the overall winner crowned through either the stage win or a show of strength that leaves their supremacy unquestionable. At this year’s Tour of California, expect the race to be decided on the penultimate stage from the town of Ontario, 50km east of Los Angeles, up to Mount Baldy. It promises to be a spectacular stage. Think of Alpe d’huez or Mont Ventoux at the Tour de France and you’re on the right lines.