Four million ITV viewers for Tour de France stage two finale
... but that was a lot less than 11.5million for the British Formula One Grand Prix
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

By Chris Marshall-Bell
Millions of us may have lined the Tour de France Grand Depart streets – but millions more opted for alternative sports viewing on their televisions at home.
Non-consolidated BARB figures, obtained from the media agency Republic of Media, reveal that armchair Tour fans were in the minority across the weekend of July 5 and 6.
ITV’s coverage peaked at 2.8million on Saturday and 4million viewers in the closing kilometres of Sunday’s dramatic stage 2.
This, though, was comparatively less than the 11.5million high that the British Formula One Grand Prix attracted on BBC 2.
And support from the living rooms for the Tour was in the shadow of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer at Wimbledon: over 19.2 million watched the Grand Slam final at one given moment.
Still, though, F1 and the tennis didn’t attract between 2.5 and 4 million live spectators (whichever estimated figure you believe) as the Tour did.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
-
'The apparel industry is deeply broken': US apparel company Kitsbow to close
After Presca, Velofixen, Milltag and Machines for Freedom, Kitsbow is the latest cycling apparel company to announce its end of operations this year.
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Computer company Acer is making an AI-powered bike and it’s got some wild features
Taiwanese hardware and electronics corporation, Acer, best known for its powerful laptop computers, appears to be diversifying its product offerings with the creation of a (super) smart e-bike
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Tour de Yorkshire to be replaced with new look cycling event in 2024
Tour de Yorkshire not due to return to north of England, although initial plans announced for new cycling event in area
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Bartosz Huzarski's legs cause social media stir
By Jack Elton-Walters • Published
-
Team Sky will regroup after disappointing Tour de France
Team Sky boss Dave Brailsford says Sky will come back stronger after a torrid Tour de France that saw the squad leave empty-handed
By Nigel Wynn • Published
-
Video: Kevin Reza picks up fan's camera during Tour de France and makes film
Europcar rider Kevin Reza scoops up a spectator's dropped camera, films himself riding along - and the camera is later returned to fan
By Nigel Wynn • Published
-
Geraint Thomas: I'm having a decent night
Welshman Geraint Thomas finishes Tour de France before racing to Commonwealth Games
By Sophie Smith • Published
-
Vincenzo Nibali wins 2014 Tour de France; Marcel Kittel takes final stage
Marcel Kittel takes his fourth stage win as Vincenzo Nibali seals overall victory in Paris
By Sophie Hurcom • Published
-
Vincenzo Nibali secures 2014 Tour de France title after time trial
With just the final stage to Paris left, Vincenzo Nibali has all but sewn up the 2014 Tour de France win
By Gregor Brown • Published
-
Tony Martin takes Tour de France time trial
Vincenzo Nibali extends overall lead further as Jean-Christophe Peraud moves up to second on GC
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published