The UCI is shifting its position on on-bike cameras in attempt to bring spectators closer to the racing action. At the road world championships in Ponferrada, Spain, the UCI will be testing both on-bike GPS and POV cameras. Will cyclocross be next? Let’s hope so. Full press release below.
For the first time ever in the history of the UCI Road World Championships, selected bikes and riders will be equipped with real time location technology and cameras, showing action from inside the peloton during the 8-day event.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announced today that it will be conducting a test of positioning technology in the UCI Road World Championships in Ponferrada, Spain. The aim is to locate each rider at each second, bringing information about the race to life. The UCI will partner with Euromedia for this trial in the 2014 edition of the UCI Road World Championships. The test will be experienced on the Women Junior (26 September) and the Men Junior (27 September) events, and the knowledge gained will be shared among the sport’s stakeholders.
Action video cameras will also be mounted on a number of bikes in this year’s event, following the success of other tests conducted on UCI road races this year. Shimano is partnering to provide the equipment during the UCI Team Time Trial training, Women Elite (27 September) and Men Elite (28 September). Post production clips will be shared with teams, athletes, National Federations and media representatives.
UCI President Brian Cookson said:
“The UCI is committed to bringing technology and innovation to the broadcast and fan experience of our sport. This year, as a first, we have supported bringing cameras into the peloton, and the results have thrilled fans. I am delighted we will be bringing this for the first time into the World Championships. I am also very pleased that the UCI is stepping in to support the trials of new innovations that will benefit cycling as a whole, and real-time rider identification and location is an area which has great potential to bring races to life for spectators.”
Hopefully we’ll see forward-facing and rear-facing footage from major cyclocross events, similar to the footage from the Amgen Tour of California below:
