Vuelta viewable for free
It’s all happening over at Cycling.tv’s Free2View service. Cough 21 Euros and you can get the hi-res version with add-ons.
The 2007 Vuelta began on 1st September and it’s already had its share of excitement, a very positive omen for a race that is characteristically slow to start. Ignoring modern Grand Tour convention, the first stage was a flat mass-start race around the area surrounding Vigo that not only produced a popular winner in Daniele Bennati, but also provided a benchmark as to who would be protagonists at the World Championships at the end of the month.
Stage two saw crashes and drama, as well as another popular winner in Oscar Freire. The three-time world champion also took the overall lead, demonstrating the class that has been so apparent throughout his successful career. Stage three was the final chance for the sprinters to stamp their authority on the race, and was again noticeable for the absence of form of both Tom Boonen and Alessandro Petacchi. Paolo Bettini led a dangerous sprint from the front of the peloton, and took just his second win in a comparatively quiet season for the current world champion. Freire just about managed to stay upright and took second place to maintain his lead in the overall and points classifications.
But Freire’s golden jersey will almost certainly change shoulders for the fourth stage, as the race makes a very early visit to the mountains where the contenders for overall victory will have to have their poker-faces at the ready, demonstrating that they’re capable of victory.
Cycling.tv’s free live coverage is available at up to 400 kbs in Free2view. The pay service will set you back about a Euro per day for the full race. For 21 Euros you get live streaming up to 1200 kbs, “as live” re-run available in video on demand an hour after each stage and on=demand highlights at up to 1800kbs. The site currently has a promo to win a pair of HED STINGER 60s wheels worth $1500.
Live coverage will be available in Free2view at 100 kbs, 256 kbs, and 400 kbs. There’s no ‘as live’ or highlights provided in the Free2view channel.
Pic © Unipublic