While this does not take place in Texas (they wish they were here but Califronia lured them away) the idea of following the race on Google Earth is a new slant.

Wired has an article that describes the application for bike racing.

“During this year’s edition of the pro cycling race, the Computer Sciences Corporation, or CSC, will outfit seven contenders with specially designed tracking devices. Information about the riders’ locations and relative positions in the race will be made available as a map mashup during each of the tour’s eight daylong stages.”