Cycling media house announced today that they had reached agreements with two major US professional races to provide free live coverage.
Following a successful pilot streaming the Redlands Bicycle Classic in 2019, Los Angeles based CycleStream TV will return to Redlands in 2020, and add free live streaming coverage to the Tour of the Gila in Silver City, New Mexico. Cyclestream will continue to push the envelope of technology, offering both streams in full 4k for the first time ever.
Cyclestream owner Leah Sturgis chose to expand live coverage to Tour of the Gila after visiting the race last year and learning the event had failed to secure a title sponsor for 2020 and faced the possibility of folding after 33 years. Sturgis stepped in with funding from Cyclestream TV and Wildlife Generation to allow the event to continue in 2020, and hopes the livestream will bring renewed interest in the iconic American race.
“Gila is one of the most unique races in America, and plays an important role for teams like Wildlife Generation and others looking to develop top American talent. After seeing what our coverage of Redlands last year was able to do for the event, I knew we had to expand the model to other races.”
Tour of the Gila race director Jack Brennan said the livestream will allow the race to court more and larger sponsors across the state and region. “This partnership not only saves the race for 2020, but allows our organization to showcase Silver City and Tour of the Gila to partners across the state, and secure more broad funding to ensure the lasting security of the race.”
Sturgis will direct the live show, and tapped Brad Sohner to produce. Sohner will join racing veteran Dave Towle in the booth for both events as well. Both Redlands and Gila will feature high definition cameras, aerial drone coverage, and on board cameras as part of the free livestream. Cyclestream will also produce daily highlights from both races that will go out each night. The streams will be offered free of charge on Cyclestream.TV , and outside media will be able to embed the shows on their site as well.
