They were the first to bring us pro racing coverage over the internet: now, Cycling.tv is giving us our very own shopping channel.

On Thursday 18 January, Cycling.tv will broadcast the first edition of its new weekly shopping programme, ‘The Bike Basket’, allowing cyclists to view and buy bikes, clothing and accessories directly off-the-screen. The 52-minute show, presented by former British road race champion and Cycling.tv commentator Brian Smith, will feature a range of products aimed at racing, sportif and recreational cyclists.

“We’ve had lots of emails from viewers wanting to find out more about kit and buying products. We’ve taken that feedback on board and developed this shopping programme, which is another world first for us,” says Cycling.tv’s commercial director Anthony McCrossan. “Our viewers aren’t just racing cyclists, so there’ll be a real mix of products, including top-end road bikes and mountain bikes, clothing and accessories.”

In a format based on TV shopping channels like QVC, viewers will be able to see the products on-screen, then click though to a landing page to select sizes, colours and so on. The products themselves will be supplied by Evans Cycles. “People want to be confident they’re buying from a reputable supplier, and we’re really pleased to be working with Evans: they’re the experts, and their customer service is fantastic,” says Anthony.

“It’s a new thing for us, and we’re very exciting to be involved with it,” says Stuart Clapps, PR manager at Evans. “Cycling.tv came to us in November and it’s all been turned round very quickly. We can’t wait to see it!”

Nor can we. Cycling.tv subscribers can tune in to the first edition at 7.00pm on Thursday 18 January – we’ll be interested to see how it works, and hear what you think of it…