OK, found what I was trying to remember when this thread started:
http://gofrance.about.com/od/tourdef...defrance_2.htm
Keep in mind, this article is from the 2006 Tour de France, but I remember a more recent article that had similar numbers.

"TV viewers: the Tour de France TV coverage draws 4 million viewers during the three weeks of the stages, according to Amaury Sport Organization. For the climactic finale in Paris, 5.3 million people tune in."

And here's a website with Nielsen data for perspective:
http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/200...further/29635/

-Leno averaged 4.31 milion viewers (keep in mind this is 5 days per week, EVERY WEEK OF THE YEAR)
-Dancing with the Stars is 17 to 18 million for EACH episode.

Cycling isn't quite the big deal people try to make it seem. How much would you pay to watch an accountant do taxes? They're professionals too.

I like cycling, but it really isn't THAT entertaining to watch, and therefore, the athletes shouldn't expect those kinds of salaries. It REALLY ISN'T "bigger than The Super Bowl in Europe." Myth.