A TV streaming a cycling tournament, with a VPN icon in the foreground
Click here for quick steps on how to stream cycling events for free.
How to Watch Cycling Online for Free Online: A Quick Guide

Wondering how to watch Tour de France for free online? Maybe you’re a fan of the Giro d’Italia or La Vuelta a España? Regardless of the cycling event you enjoy, we’ll show you how to watch cycling for free from anywhere in the world.

Unfortunately, free cycling streams are usually geo-blocked. So, you can’t access Australia’s SBS or the UK’s ITVX — two of the best free streaming platforms for cycling events — unless you’re in their respective countries. But there’s a workaround: use a VPN! Here’s how to stream cycling live from anywhere for free:

  1. Get a NordVPN subscription. We’ve tested countless VPNs, and NordVPN is the best VPN for watching sports online.
  2. Download and install NordVPN.
  3. Connect to a VPN server in Australia to unblock SBS or one in the UK to access ITVX’s streams.
  4. Enjoy free cycling streams!

You can also use NordVPN to unblock premium streaming services like Peacock and Sling TV. Whatever option you choose, we’ve got a limited-time 69% discount on NordVPN to get you going!

Ready to shoot off the starting line? Check out our full guide below for more information, including a complete schedule of upcoming cycling events and where to watch cycling for free!

Looking to watch cycling online? Are you searching for the best free cycling streams? We sent our cybersecurity team on “vuelta” to find the best free cycling streams. For all you cycling fans who keep hearing that word and wondering what it means, “vuelta” in English translates to “the lap” or “the tour.”

While cycling events attract the attention of millions of people worldwide, streams of cycling tournaments tend to be restricted to some countries or regions. Did you know you can watch cycling free online from anywhere? Yes, all you need is a virtual private network (VPN).

NordVPN is our favorite VPN for streaming cycling and other sporting events. Its fast speeds and unblocking capabilities allow you to stream cycling online without any lags or hiccups.

Below, we provide step-by-step instructions on how to unblock the best cycling streams online. We’ve also compiled key dates for every small and large cycling tournament in the coming year — from lesser-known events like the Tour of Chongming Island to big-ticket battles like the Olympics and Tour de France.

How to Livestream Cycling Free: Free Cycling Streams on SBS

Australia’s got your back if you’re looking to stream cycling tournaments for free. SBS is a free streaming service that will let you watch major cycling events like the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, and more for free! You can watch most of the popular cycling events on SBS.

If you’re outside of Australia, you can’t access SBS’ streams — unless you use a VPN. Simply download NordVPN, get an Australian IP address, and you’ll be able to watch cycling on SBS as though you’re in sunny Oz.

SBS isn’t the only place for free cycling streams. In the UK, BBC iPlayer and ITVX also stream major cycling tournaments for free. But the same rules apply. If you’re not in the country, you’ll need to spoof your location with a VPN to stream cycling on these platforms. Grab our 69% discount on NordVPN and unblock these streams today!

How to Stream Cycling From Anywhere

Follow the simple guide below to unblock cycling streams and watch your favorite cyclists compete from anywhere in the world.

  1. Subscribe to a VPN. We’ve tested NordVPN extensively, and it’s a great choice for unblocking cycling streams. It easily overcomes geo-blocks that stop you from watching cycling online. All the streams we tested were available in HD and lag-free, thanks to NordVPN’s lightning-fast speeds.
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  2. Download the NordVPN app. You can get it for Windows, Mac, or Linux. Prefer to watch cycling on mobile? NordVPN has apps for mobile devices, too.

    Screenshot of NordVPN, device availability
  3. Log into your NordVPN account.
    Nord Account Log in screen
  4. Connect to a VPN server in the same country as the broadcaster offering the cycling stream you want to watch. For example, you’ll need a UK VPN server to access the BBC’s stream of Tour de France. We’ve successfully used NordVPN to unblock the BBC iPlayer from different locations.

    NordVPN, client connected interface, UK server
  5. Find the cycling stream you want to watch on the BBC, SBS, or any other sports streaming site.

If you’re outside the UK, you can’t watch Tour de France on BBC iPlayer without a VPN. Also, if you’re not in the US, Peacock’s Tour de France streams and other events on Peacock’s cycling schedule will be inaccessible to you. A VPN allows you to bypass these geo-blocks and enjoy every minute of every cycling race.

Get NordVPN today and prepare for the Grand Tour and other upcoming cycling events.

Why Is a VPN Needed to Watch Cycling Online?

Cut out globe representing geo restrictions icon

There are loads of upcoming cycling events across the world. Unfortunately, smaller cycling competitions, like the Cyclo-Cross World Cup, aren’t usually available on major streaming services. And, some popular cycling tournaments may be blocked in your country or region.

Due to broadcasting rights, streaming platforms restrict access to their broadcasts to only people from particular countries. You’ll be blocked if you attempt to access their streams from elsewhere. But, with a VPN, you can bypass these geo-blocks and access cycling streams that aren’t usually available to you.

We’ve tested different VPNs for unblocking cycling streams, and NordVPN emerged on top. Get NordVPN now and prepare for upcoming cycling events!

The Best VPNs for Watching Cycling Online

We tested dozens of VPN services to find the best options for watching cycling online. These are our top picks.

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for watching cycling online

Screenshot of NordVPN's homepage as a great VPN for streaming sports
  • Choose from 6000+ worldwide servers to unblock cycling streams
  • Lightning-fast connection speeds — we retained up to 95% of our original connection speed during our tests
  • No cap on data — stream as many cycling tournaments as you wish without being cut off
  • 256-bit encryption and zero data logging ensure your data stays safe
  • Unblock free cycling streams on SBS and other platforms
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

NordVPN is your best option for unblocking cycling streams from anywhere in the world. We’ve used this VPN to watch different cycling tournaments for free, including the Tour de France and the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal. We could stream cycling races in HD without lags.

NordVPN works well with Australian broadcaster SBS. Most cycling events are available on Discovery+ and FloBikes, but SBS offers free cycling streams. Simply get an Australian IP address from NordVPN, and you can access watch cycling for free on SBS from anywhere in the world.

NordVPN is relatively affordable, and you also get a 30-day money-back guarantee. This VPN costs just $ 2.99 per month with our limited-time 69% discount. Download NordVPN now and get ready for the upcoming cycling season!

Read our detailed NordVPN review to discover why this VPN consistently ranks above other providers in our tests.


2. Surfshark: Low-cost alternative for watching cycling online

Screenshot of the sports specific homepage for Surfshark VPN
  • Powerful unblocking capabilities, including NoBorders mode for regions with strict internet restrictions
  • One of the most affordable VPN providers available right now
  • Fast enough to stream cycling from around the world without lagging or buffering
  • No cap on data usage, so you can watch every cycling tournament without fail
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

It’s rare that NordVPN stumbles, but should we ever hit a geo-block that stops our champion in its tracks, we turn to Surfshark. This VPN is excellent for sports streaming. We’ve tested Surfshark in regions with stringent internet restrictions, and its NoBorders mode usually triumphs. It is also one of the most affordable VPNs you can get.

We used Surfshark to access free cycling streams on SBS during our tests. We could easily get an Australian IP address and had no issues bypassing geo-blocks. Surfshark also allowed us to access cycling streams on Sling TV and Peacock. It can unblock the BBC’s iPlayer, too!

Ready to give Surfshark a try? You can use this VPN risk-free for 30 days and get your money back if you change your mind. Surfshark’s subscription starts at just $ 1.99 per month with our special 82% VPN discount!

We’ve subjected Surfshark to thorough tests to gauge its speed and security. Want to see how it fared? Check out our detailed Surfshark review for a deep dive into this VPN’s features and performance!


3. CyberGhost: Dedicated lightning-fast servers for cycling streams

Screenshot shows CyberGhost's homepage as a great VPN for sports streaming
  • Longest money-back guarantee among premium VPNs, at 45 days
  • Uncapped data usage and lightning-fast VPN servers
  • Stream cycling for free on SBS or unblock Peacock TV and Sling TV
  • Dedicated streaming servers, configured for high-bandwidth activities ensure picture-perfect cycling streams

Coming in third, albeit neck and neck with our other two frontrunners, is CyberGhost. While it may not be as fast as NordVPN, CyberGhost has incredible speeds — particularly on its dedicated streaming servers. We enjoyed high-quality cycling streams with CyberGhost.

With CyberGhost, you’ve also got access to one of the largest VPN server networks among premium providers. Choose from 11500+ servers worldwide to change your IP address and unblock streams from any country. And yes, that includes free cycling streams on Australia’s SBS network.

CyberGhost costs just $ 2.03 per month when you factor in our limited-time 84% discount. And you’ll still get that extended 45-day money-back guarantee. Time it right, and you can stream a major cycling event for free!

You can learn more about this VPN in our comprehensive CyberGhost review!


How We Chose the Best VPN for Streaming Cycling Events

Infographic showing the factors we considered in choosing the best VPN

When we test a VPN, we’re usually trying to find the best provider for a particular purpose. The best VPN for streaming cycling won’t necessarily be the best VPN for other purposes, like bypassing stringent internet restrictions in China. These are some factors we considered during our tests:

  • Is the VPN fast enough to stream? Streaming requires a fast connection. Otherwise, you’ll experience lagging. As sports fans, we know how much lagging can ruin the experience. NordVPN offers lightning-fast servers, making it the perfect choice.
  • Does the VPN service have a data cap? Streaming also burns through data fast. Free VPN services have data limits, so they just won’t do. You don’t want to lose your live stream just as the riders cut through the Belleville en Beaujolais. NordVPN offers unlimited data with every plan, so you can enjoy uninterrupted streaming.
  • How many servers does the service offer? Cycling events take place across the world each year. We looked for VPNs with servers in various countries to let you watch each one of these events. NordVPN has servers in all the countries where major cycling events are hosted.

Cycling Events Schedule 2024

Looking for key dates for cycling events in 2024? We’ve rounded up dates and locations for many of the best-known cycling events in the table below. Remember to check start times in your time zone so you don’t miss a minute!

DateCycling EventLocation
Friday, January 12, 2024Sunday, January 21, 2024Tour Down UnderAdelaide, Australia
Saturday, February 24, 2024Omloop Het NieuwsbladBelgium
Sunday, March 3, 2024 Sunday, March 10, 2024Paris–NiceFrance
Saturday, March 16, 2024 Milan-San RemoItaly
Tuesday, March 18, 2024Sunday, March 24, 2024Volta a CatalunyaSpain
Friday, March 22, 2024E3 HarelbekeHarelbeke, Belgium
Sunday, March 24, 2024Gent–WevelgemFlanders Fields, Belgium
Wednesday, March 27, 2024Dwars door VlaanderenWaregem, Belgium
Sunday, March 21, 2024Tour of FlandersFlanders, Belgium
Saturday, April 6, 2024Paris–RoubaixFrance
Sunday, April 14, 2024Amstel Gold RaceLimburg, Netherlands
Wednesday, April 17, 2024La Flèche WallonneWallonia, Belgium
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 – Sunday, April 28, 2024Tour de RomandieSwitzerland
Saturday, May 4, 2024Sunday, May 26, 2024Giro d’ItaliaItaly
Sunday, June 2, 2024Sunday, June 9, 2024Critérium du DauphinéDauphiné, France
Saturday, June 9, 2024 – Monday, June 18, 2024Tour de SuisseSwitzerland
Saturday, June 29, 2024Sunday, July 21, 2024Tour de FranceItaly – France
Friday, July 26, 2024Sunday, August 11, 2024Olympic GamesParis, France
Monday, August 12, 2024Sunday, August 18, 2024Tour de PolognePoland
Saturday, August 17, 2024Sunday, September 8, 2024.La Vuelta a EspañaMadrid, Spain
Sunday, August 25, 2024Bretagne Classic Ouest-FrancePlouay, France
August 28, 2024 – Sunday, September 1, 2024UCI Mountain Bike World ChampionshipPal Arinsal, Andorra
Sunday, September 15, 2024Grand Prix Cycliste de MontréalMontréal, Canada
Saturday, September 21, 2024 – Sunday, September 29, 2024UCI Cycling World ChampionshipsZurich, Switzerland
Saturday, October 5, 2024Giro di LombardiaLombardy, Italy
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 – Thursday, October 17, 2024Tour of Chongming IslandShanghai, China
Sunday, October 20, 2024Tour of GuangxiGuangxi Region, China

Where to Watch Tour de France for Free

Flag of France in a circle

It’s easy to stream the Tour de France compared to other cycling events. ITVX streamed the 2022 and 2023 Tour de France, from the start to the final stage. We have a more in-depth guide on how to unblock free Tour de France streams, but here are some quick steps to get you started:

  1. Get NordVPN.
  2. Connect to a VPN server in the United Kingdom.
  3. Go to ITVX when the Tour de France starts to watch the tournament for free.

Where to Stream Giro d’Italia for Free

A small icon containing Italy's flag

Giro d’Italia is not one of the events covered by ITVX or SBS. But don’t worry, Oz has us covered. Australia’s SBS streamed the 2023 Giro d’Italia free, and you should be able to watch it on the same platform in 2024.

Here’s how to stream the Giro d’Italia if you’re not in Australia:

  1. Get NordVPN.
  2. Connect to a VPN server in Australia if SBS is blocked in your region.
  3. Go to SBS to stream the Giro d’Italia!

Where to Watch La Vuelta a España Free

Spain circle flag small

Australians have all the luck when it comes to watching La Vuelta a España for free. SBS will stream the whole event, and you can watch it for free.

Here’s how to connect to SBS if you’re outside of Australia:

  1. Download NordVPN.
  2. Connect to an Australian VPN server.
  3. Go to SBS to stream every stage of the Giro d’Italia!

Other Platforms to Stream Cycling Online

We’ve covered how to access each of the Grand Tours for free — SBS (Australia), BBC iPlayer (United Kingdom), and ITVX (United Kingdom) are some of the best places to watch live cycling coverage from anywhere in the world.

There are, of course, other options. We’ve outlined them below:

PlatformCostFree Trial?Do I Need a VPN?
Discovery+ – Eurosport Channel 1 (Recommended)$4.99 – $8.99 monthly7 daysYes, unless you’re in the US, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, or the UK
GCN+ (Global Cycling Network)$49.99 per yearNoAvailable in most countries worldwide
FloBikes$29.99 per month / $150 per yearNoYes, unless you’re in Canada or the US
Peacock PremiumStarting at $5.99 per monthNoYes, unless you’re in the US
Sling TVStarting at $20 per monthNoYes, unless you’re in the US
NBC SportsVaries (via other streaming services)OccasionallyYes, unless you’re in the US

Don’t want to pay and can’t find your preferred streams? There are other platforms to watch cycling races, from the Champs-Élysées to the mountains of Switzerland. Bear in mind that these are unofficial, ad-supported free streaming sites. If you use them to watch free cycling streams, you’ll need NordVPN to protect your privacy. Unofficial websites can be less secure and may pose a security risk.

  • DaddyLiveHD: This is one of our go-to sites for free movie and sports streaming. With mirrored live TV streams from platforms like BT Sport, you can watch most cycling events for free on DaddyLiveHD. Of course, it’s less reliable than official platforms and shows pirated content, so be wary.
  • Cycling.today: A good source of free streams of the Grand Tours and other major events, but a little glitchy and shows unofficial (in some places, illegal) broadcasts.

Important!

Be wary of free sports streaming sites. There are enough free streaming options to watch most cycling events legally. Unofficial websites can be unsafe and could put your privacy and personal information at risk. If you do venture to such sites, make sure you use a VPN and understand your local laws.

Conclusion: How to Stream Cycling Events From Anywhere

The cycling season is shaping up to be an action-packed schedule with live events nearly every month of the year. We’re excited to follow each tournament, and we’ll be using NordVPN to watch every race.

  1. Get NordVPN and change your IP address.
  2. Identify a stream you want to watch from our schedule of upcoming events.
  3. Connect to a VPN server in the appropriate country to unblock the stream.
  4. Watch cycling live online!

Cycling isn’t the only sport you can stream with a VPN. We’ve also used a VPN to watch football, basketball, F1 races, and other sports. Check out the articles below to learn more:

Key Takeaways

  • SBS is the best place for free cycling streams
  • Access SBS from anywhere with an Australian IP address from NordVPN
  • If you don’t find a stream, try free streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer or ITVX in the UK
  • Platforms like Sling TV and Peacock TV, or GCN+ provide a premium experience, but at a cost
How to Watch Cycling Online for Free From Anywhere: Frequently Asked Questions

Have you got questions about streaming cycling for free? Check out our frequently asked questions below!

Where can I watch cycling races for free?

Your best chance of finding free cycling races is on SBSBBC iPlayer, or ITVX. Not in those countries? Get NordVPN and unblock these platforms to stream cycling races for free.

Where can I watch cycling streams?

You can stream the biggest cycling events on GCN+ (Global Cycling Network) and Discovery+. Unfortunately, neither platform is free to watch. If you want free streams, check out Australia’s SBS. SBS offers free streams of some of the biggest cycling events, including Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España.

What is the biggest cycling tournament in the world?

Tour de France is the biggest cycling event in the world, being the most complex and prestigious event in the calendar. Combined with the Giro d’Italia and La Vuelta a España, they are known as the ‘Grand Tours’ of the cycling world. Each event lasts three weeks and has multiple stages.

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