What's on TV: Saturday, July 7

Tour de France

SBS, 8.30pm

Cycling's a bit like soccer. No matter how many scandals engulf the sport or how thick the rumour of corruption that swirls around it, it still somehow manages to transcend the muck to thrill and inspire – and no competition quite thrills and inspires like Le Tour.

Stage One kicks off tonight from Noirmoutier-en-l'ile with 201 kilometres of mainly flat racing, about half of it along the coast and through marshlands. Glorious for viewers, but perhaps a little breezy for competitors – although it should give Australian young gun sprinter Caleb Ewan the chance to show us what he's made of. Michael Tomalaris anchors the SBS commentary, with Matthew Keenan and Robbie McEwen calling the action. MH