Lance! Lance! Lance!

The Lance Armstrong Show -- otherwise known as the Tour de France -- took to the road Saturday. But how to follow it if you don’t have the time, or access, to watch Outdoor Life Network’s 340 hours of telecasts? Websites offering coverage of cycling’s greatest event have increased in number and quality this year as the 32-year-old Texan and his U.S. Postal Service team shoot for his record sixth consecutive victory in the three-week, 2,072-mile race. These five sites stand out:

www.velonews.com

An army of reporters provides blanket coverage with attitude for the leading American bike-racing journal.

Unique features: A boisterous readers’ letters section (“Will somebody tell [OLN announcer] Al Trautwig to shut up!”); maps of stages that are beautifully detailed, including names of little towns along the route; Friday’s Foaming Rant, by Patrick O’Grady, who hilariously lampoons the drug rumors dogging Armstrong; a photo gallery from venerable bike photographer Graham Watson.

Blogs: Tyler Hamilton, Armstrong’s top American rival, writes about being scared by fans clogging the roads and struggling to give his first interview in Spanish; Chris Carmichael, Armstrong’s coach, provides the U.S. Postal Service team perspective and tries to sell you his new food book.

Noncyclist friendliness: Though the site is designed for cycling enthusiasts, it’s so fun and informative that anyone can find something to like -- such as columnist Tom Prehn’s explanation of why winning the yellow jersey early on isn’t always an ideal race strategy.

www.thepace line.com

A cycling groupie’s dream: the official fan club of Lance and the U.S. Postal Service team.

Unique features: Everything you wanted to know about L.A. (that’s what adoring fans call Lance) -- his Sports Illustrated cover; a video clip of his latest Dasani water commercial; his discussion of the importance of winning the fabled switchback climbs of Mont Ventoux and L’Alpe d’Huez; a tour of his home in Spain. Also, “Talking Tech,” a column about L.A.’s new helmet, shoes etc.

Blogs: Half a dozen columnists, including USPS manager Dan Osipow, Armstrong friend-publicist Mark Higgins and former USPS teammate Dylan Casey.

Noncyclist friendliness: Very good. Columnist Chris Brewer offers beginners’ advice in “School’s In” (example: “Don’t wear underwear with cycling shorts”). The site also reports on the latest stage, previews the next, and provides the OLN TV schedule. Note: You must log in as a Paceline member to gain free access; it takes one minute.

www.espn.com

Best newspaper-like “front page” (click on Tour de France Tour Tracker for a large photo, map and story of the latest stage, a full list of stage reports and profiles of top riders).

Unique features: Real-time report from the tour (if you’re up that early).

Blogs: Sportswriter and Armstrong friend Robert Lipsyte.

Noncyclist friendliness: General features provide background but are dated.

www.olntv.com

The official English-language Tour de France website.

Unique features: Detailed TV schedule for live race coverage, repeats and the slice-of-life “The Lance Chronicles.” Also, live audio of the race, video clips and daily reports from the OLN broadcast team of Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwen, Bob Roll and Trautwig.

Blogs: None to speak of, but a banner ad for Bissell vacuums links to the daily diary of retired rider and motivational speaker Frankie Andreu, a former USPS captain and nine-time tour rider.

Noncyclist friendliness: Video clips help. So will a free bike (you can enter a contest for a chance to win a $5,000 Trek Madrone 5.9 road bike, like L.A.’s -- but of course).

www.bicycling.com

A solid Tour de France section from Bicycling magazine and veteran reporter James Startt.

Unique features: An “Essentials” column provides fun trivia: Did you know that riders burn approximately 6,000 calories a day, L.A. wears out one bike chain a week and the smallest margin of victory was eight seconds, by Greg LeMond (G.L. to his fans)? The site also has an active forum full of fun topics: “I can’t stand Bob Roll,” “Screaming Idiot in OLN commercials” and “My wife is watching the Tour with me!”

Blogs: Vivid, insightful commentary from on-the-scene reporter Joe Lindsay. Also, broadcaster Liggett.

Noncyclist friendliness: The “Fun Facts,” “Tour Jargon” and “Tour History” in the site’s “Essentials” section serve as a good primer for rookies.