Tour de France 2017 live stream: Time, TV schedule, and route for Stage 1

The 2017 Tour de France will begin Saturday with a short time trial that could have a big impact on the final general classification in Paris three weeks from now. Stage 1 isn’t technically difficult — there are two bumps that riders should barely feel — and at 14 kilometers, no single rider will gain a commanding lead on the field.

That said, the winner will likely wear the Maillot Jaune until at least the Stage 5 mini-mountains course. More importantly, Saturday could be a good gauge of who is riding into the Tour on form. We won’t know who will win the Tour after Stage 1, but we may learn who will definitely not be contending.

As has become tradition every other year at the Tour, the Grand Départ will take place a foreign country. Düsseldorf, Germany, has the honors this year. The first rider will begin at 9:15 a.m. ET (3:15 p.m. local time). NBCSN’s live coverage will begin at 9 a.m. following their 7:30 a.m. pre-show.

The race will be streamed live through the NBC Sports and NBC Sports Gold apps, also beginning at 9 a.m. The latter offers a cycling pass that includes stage profiles, rider tracking, and bonus coverage including replays and rider interviews.

Saturday will be won by the time trial specialists. Yellow jersey favorites Chris Froome and Richie Porte should finish near the top of the standings, but the lack of any significant climbs keep them from being serious threats. The big favorite is Tony Martin, the beloved defending world and German time trial champion. Martin may be gathering years, but in this year’s peloton, there is no one more motivated or better suited for the course.

Get excited. La Grande Boucle is finally here.

Images courtesy of the Tour’s official site.

Start time: 9:15 a.m. ET (approx.)

Route: 14 kilometers through Düsseldorf

TV: NBCSN, beginning at 9 a.m.

Streaming: NBC Sports or NBC Sports Gold apps (latter requires subscription for enhanced coverage)