BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2001 | Royal Ascot

Racing fans far and wide can keep abreast with all the latest news from Royal Ascot thanks to the extensive multi-media coverage of the BBC.

BBC Television will cover 12 hours of live coverage from the prestigious event featuring 16 Flat races.

And there will also be a nightly highlights programme for those who missed the action earlier in the day.

This year's Royal Ascot will feature a unique first with BBC Sport Online broadcasting live pictures with commentary over the four days.

The website will also have all the latest news, as well as profiles on all the top jockeys, photo galleries and a chance to air your views and opinions on the sportstalk pages.

Clare Balding and Willie Carson will present each afternoon's programme on BBC Television, with Richard Pitman presenting the highlights programme.

Jimmy Lindley and Graham Rock will take up their positions in the paddock, providing expert commentary on the runners and riders, with reports and interviews from Jonathan Powell.

Fashion designer Jeff Banks
Jeff Banks will be one of the fashion experts
Betting guru Angus Loughran will take viewers through the ever changing betting market with tips and advice on the day's best movers.

Royal Ascot is often the place to be seen, so sartorial elegance is just as relevant as the races themselves.

So BBC Television will be joined by designers Jeff Banks and Yvette Jelfs and the Daily Telegraph's fashion editor Trinny Woodall to provide expert fashion analysis on all the latest trends.

And The BBC's royal correspondent Jennie Bond will also be present, keeping a close eye on the Royal contingent attending the event.

Thirty cameras will be operating to capture all the atmosphere, including the highly successful "favourite cam" which made its debut at the Epsom Derby.

A helmet mounted camera will give armchair views a realistic feel of what the jockey is seeing during the race.

BBC Five Live will have Cornelius Lysaght and Walter Swinburn focusing on the racing, with Lee McKenzie providing the commentary.

The event will be broadcast in 64 countries - 24 more than last year.

TV Schedule:

Tuesday 19 June
BBC One 1345-1525BST
BBC Two 1115-1145BST
BBC One 2315-2345BST (Highlights)

Wednesday 20 June
BBC One 1345-1525BST
BBC Two 1530-1645BST
BBC One 2250-2315BST (Highlights)

Thursday 21 June

BBC One 1345-1525BST
BBC Two 1530-1800BST
BBC One 0005-0030BST (Highlights)

Friday 22 June
BBC One 1345-1525BST
BBC Two 1530-1800BST
BBC One 2315-2345BST (Highlights)