Cycling: Channel 4 pull plug on Le Tour
Channel 4 have confirmed that they have pulled the plug on their coverage of the Tour de France.
The world's most famous Grand Tour has been dropped in favour of cricket in Channel 4's sports coverage schedule.
Unless another station is found to carry the event, terrestrial viewers could find themselves deprived of coverage of 'Le Tour' for the first time in 15 years.
A Channel 4 spokesman said: "It's down to a scheduling decision regarding the cricket.
"With Test match cricket throughout the summer we simply haven't got time to schedule it.
"The three weeks when the Tour de France is on is a busy time for cricket this year.
"With the Ashes coming up we can't do the Tour de France the justice it deserves. We've invested a lot in the cricket - it's our main priority."
Asked about the coverage possibly not being available to viewers without satellite or cable TV, he added: "I think many viewers will be very disappointed.
"But we've shown excellent coverage for the past 15 years and we should be applauded for that.
"Eurosport will be showing the event live. And the production company have approached both the BBC and ITV about the possibility of covering it."
