Professional cyclist and Bend resident Chris Horner is set to be a part of NBC Sports’ broadcasting team for the Tour de France, which begins July 6 in Brussels, Belgium, and ends in Paris on July 28.

Horner, who became the oldest winner of any of cycling’s grand tours when he won the Vuelta a Espana in 2013 at the age of 41, will provide race analysis and interviews before and after each stage, according to a report from Cycling News. Horner joins retired U.S. professional cyclist Christian Vande Velde and host Paul Burmeister, both of whom have experience broadcasting the Tour de France. Both Vande Velde and Horner will provide additional analysis during play-by-play coverage provided by longtime TDF broadcast veteran Phil Liggett and Bob Roll, who will move from the studio to call the action with Liggett, whose longtime broadcast partner Paul Sherwen died in December, according to reports.

Horner was introduced to race commentary with NBC Sports this year at the Ardennes Classics Fleche Eallonne, where he watched and studied Vande Velde, and at the Liege-Bastogne-Liege, where he did some live broadcasting. His success at the Liege encouraged NBC Sports to offer him the opportunity at the Tour de France.

At the Cascade Cycling Classic in Bend earlier this month, Horner competed solo and finished 17th overall.

— Bulletin staff report