Tour De France 2012 TV Coverage: Where to Watch the World's Best Riders

The 2012 Tour de France is scheduled to begin Saturday from Liege, France, where the field of more than 200 riders will begin the near 3,500-kilometer race that spans more than three weeks.

Last year's race was won by Australian Cadel Evans, who will look to repeat for the BMC Racing Team this summer.

Here is everything you need to know for the 20-stage endurance race, along with some world class riders to watch for. 

When: Saturday, June 30, to Sunday, July 22

Watch: Versus

Live Streaming: NBC Sports

Top Riders to Watch For:

Cadel Evans

The defending champion will be motivated to add another Tour de France title to his name in 2012. The Australian has finished second at the prestigious endurance event twice in his career, so coming up short is hardly an option for Evans.

At age 35 though, it is difficult to see Evans snagging the yellow jersey and then running away with it. When he won the Tour de France in 2011, at age 34, he was among the five oldest winners in the history of the race.

Bradley Wiggins

Bradley Wiggins, who has been riding for Team Sky since 2010, will surely be one of the top contenders for the yellow jersey in France this summer. The 32-year-old British rider crashed out of the Tour de France last year after suffering a broken collarbone during Stage 7. 

Wiggins finished fourth at Tour de France three years ago, which leads many to believe that he is a realistic threat to defending champion Cadel Evans in 2012. 

Chris Horner

The 40-year-old American finished ninth overall at the 2010 Tour de France, and will represent the United States once again at this summer's event. 

Although he should be considered more of a dark horse than a favorite, Horner has yellow jersey potential and the experience to survive the grueling competition. 

Horner was knocked out of last year's race in a crash, but if he can stick around until the high mountain stages begin he should be in good shape to challenge the leaders at that point. 

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter for take on the 2012 Tour de France.