Press Releases:

CBS Sports set to ride along with Lance Armstrong through France in his historic bid for a sixth consecutive Tour de France title.

CBS Sports to Broadcast Three Consecutive Weeks of Tour de France Beginning on July 11

CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR's Emmy Award-winning coverage of the 2004 TOUR DE FRANCE begins the first of its three hour-long specials on Sunday, July 11 (3:00-4:00 p.m., ET). The second installment of special race coverage continues on Sunday, July 18 (5:00-6:00 p.m., ET) and concludes with the final stage on Sunday, July 25 (2:00-3:00 p.m., ET) on the CBS Television Network. This year's Tour de France marks the 101st anniversary of the first Tour and 91st race overall as American Lance Armstrong looks to become the first rider in the history of the Tour de France to win six titles.

CBS Sports' exclusive network coverage of this historical 21-stage and over 2,100 mile Tour de France, which has garnered three consecutive Emmy Awards for the Network for OUTSTANDING LIVE EVENT TURNAROUND; 2001, 2002 & 2003, and four total Emmy Awards in the past three years (OUTSTANDING MUSIC COMPOSITION / DIRECTION / LYRICS; 2002), will be highlighted this year by Armstrong's bid to become the first cyclist in the history of the Tour de France to win not only six titles, but six consecutive titles. Last year Armstrong pedaled his way to history by winning his fifth consecutive Tour de France joining Spain's Miguel Indurain (1991-95) as the only other cyclist to win the Tour de France five times in a row. He also joined Frenchmen Jacques Anquetil (1957, 1961-64) and Bernard Hinault (1978-79, 1981-82, 1985) and Belgian Eddy Merckx (1969-72, 1974) as the only five-time champions in the race's history.

"Without question, this year will be the most difficult challenge that Lance will face," says seven-time Emmy Award-winner Armen Keteyian, who will host the coverage for CBS Sports. "Last year's win showed him to be vulnerable and there are several quality riders circling him like sharks waiting for an opportunity to break the streak."

Among those circling are Germany's Jan Ullrich, Armstrong's main rival, who is now surrounded by an even stronger cast of teammates; Armstrong's top lieutenant and best climber in previous Tours, Spain's Roberto Heras, who defected to lead another team; and American Tyler Hamilton, a former U.S. Postal teammate who is healthy this year after gallantly riding last year with a broken collarbone for much of the Tour.

Keteyian will be joined in calling the action by "the voice of cycling" analyst Phil Liggett, who is working his 32nd consecutive year on Tour television coverage, and industry veteran and former pro rider of seven Tours Paul Sherwen.

CBS Sports will once again partner with Outdoor Life Network (OLN) to broadcast the 2004 Tour de France. Vic Frank will serve as producer of CBS Sports' coverage. Production support will be provided by OLN.

Tony Petitti is Executive Producer, CBS Sports.