Tour De France 2012 TV Schedule: Where You Can Watch All of This Year's Action

The Tour de France is unlike any other event in the world. The 2,000-plus mile trek is an unfathomable challenge because of the rigorous course that's drawn up every year.

This year's race starts in the Belgian city of Liege and ends on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. The race visits three countries: Belgium, France and Switzerland.

Cadel Evans will attempt to defend his 2011 Tour title but the competition will be stiff. Eight former Grand Tour winners are in this year's field and they won't go down lightly.

Let's find out where you can watch all of this year's furious cycling (per NBCSports.com).

NBC Sports Group's 2012 Tour de France Schedule

Saturday, June 30
Prologue: Liege to Liege, 8 a.m., NBC Sports Network

Sunday, July 1
Stage 1: Liege to Seraing, 8 a.m., NBC Sports Network
Recap show, 4 p.m., NBC

Monday, July 2
Stage 2: Vise to Tournai, 8 a.m., NBC Sports Network

Tuesday, July 3
Stage 3: Orchies to Boulogne-sur-mer, 8 a.m., NBC Sports Network

Wednesday, July 4
Stage 4: Abbeville to Rouen, 8 a.m., NBC Sports Network

Thursday, July 5
Stage 5: Rouen to Saint-Quentin, 8 a.m., NBC Sports Network

Friday, July 6
Stage 6: Epernay to Metz, 8 a.m., NBC Sports Network

Saturday, July 7
Stage 7: Tomblaine to La Planche des Belles Filles, 8 a.m., NBC

Sunday, July 8
Stage 8: Belfort to Porrentruy, 8 a.m., NBC

Monday, July 9
Stage 9: Arc-et-Senans to Bescancon, 8 a.m., NBC Sports Network

Wednesday, July 11
Stage 10: Macon to Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, 8 a.m., NBC Sports Network

Thursday, July 12
Stage 11: Albertville to La Toussuire-Les Sybelles, 7 a.m., NBC Sports Network

Friday, July 13
Stage 12: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Annonay Davezieux, 6:30 a.m., NBC Sports Network

Saturday, July 14
Stage 13: Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux to Le Cap d'Adge, 8 a.m., NBC Sports Network

Sunday, July 15
Stage 14: Limoux to Foix, 8 a.m., NBC Sports Network

Monday, July 16
Stage 15: Samatan to Pau, 8 a.m., NBC Sports Network

Wednesday, July 18
Stage 16: Pau to Bagneres-de-Luchon, 6:30 a.m., NBC Sports Network

Thursday, July 19
Stage 17: Bagneres-de-Luchon to Peyragudes, 7:30 a.m., NBC Sports Network

Friday, July 20
Stage 18: Blagnac to Brive-la-Gaillarde, 8 a.m., NBC Sports Network

Saturday, July 21
Stage 19: Bonneval to Chartres, 8 a.m., NBC Sports Network

Sunday, July 22
Stage 20: Rambouillet to Paris Champs-Elysees, 8 a.m., NBC Sports Network
Recap show, 1 p.m., NBC

Note: All times ET

There are nine flat stages, four medium mountains, five mountain stages, two individual time trials and a prologue in this year's race.

The mountain stages don't start until Stage 7 and run intermittently through Stage 18. The race is usually won or lost in these areas because of the absurd endurance and speed required.

I mentioned that Evans will be defending his crown in this year's run. Now, let's take a look at his stiffest competition.

Bradley Wiggins

Wiggins finished strong in 2009 and had a solid running in the 2011 Vuelta a Espana. He has won three stage races this year, and he's one of the fastest cyclists in the world.

He doesn't have the experience on inclines like this, but his speed will give him an opportunity to maintain position. His best hope is to get ahead on the early flat stages of the race and ride that momentum through the grueling middle portion of the race.

Wiggins is at a disadvantage in terms of endurance, but he's had a great year for a reason. If anyone challenges Evans, this is your most likely scenario.

This 20-stage race is in a league of its own. It's the ultimate combination of speed, endurance and sheer courage. This isn't a contest for the faint of heart, and there's never any doubt that the winner earned his spoils.

Be sure to tune in to all of this year's exciting cycling action.