UCI killed the radio star

Bro Deal

The UCI is banning radios for U-23 racing. Is there any chance they will get rid of them for pros?

I am tired of watching the peloton set the perfect speed so they can reel a break in a few klicks from the line. Listening to what riders get told by follow cars in ITTs makes me hate them even more. Every upcoming undulation in the road is described along with distances to hills, the lengths of flat sections, when to drink, etc. It is ridiculous.

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"You are like the wind and I like the lion. You form the tempest. The sand stings my eyes and the ground is parched. I roar in defiance but you do not hear. But between us there is a difference. I, like the lion, must remain in my place. While you like the wind will never know yours." -- Mulay Hamid El Raisuli, Lord of the Riff, Sultan to the Berbers, Last of the Barbary Pirates

thoughtforfood

I saw this, and hope it finds its way into for the pros. It is akin to not allowing the coach to talk to the QB during a play in the NFL. I for one love the idea as it will end some of the formulaic racing we see now.

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If this van is a'rockin, don't come a'knockin

Frigo's Luggage

Agree.

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We are all made of stars.

Eldrack

I'm not sure getting rid of radio's completely is a good idea. Riders having to go back to their team cars just to get instructions can be dangerous for the rider.

I would however support the idea of having only 1 radio per team. By all means ban them for the ITT's.

coneofsilence

How would it make it dangerous for the riders???? The domestiques will just have to work harder.

Crankyfeet

Agree with everyone. Get rid of the radios. Maybe give the peleton a limited number of time checks, so at least they have a general idea of the gap to the break, say at two points in the race. Or not tell them anything.

Eldron

Agreed!

At best get rid of all radios...

If the teams play the "safety card" then give everyone radios but only allow the race director to issue instructions. Dangerous descent coming up, water on road, wheel breaking dog coming up ;-) that kind of thing.

I'm also in favour of smaller teams - 9 riders can control the pace for days on end. 6 rider teams will result in more exciting racing, lower entry costs to potential sponsors (in other words more teams) and fewer allmighty teams.

plectrum

Bro> There is a chance that they will 'get rid of the pros'

Bro Deal

Word is that Prudhomme is thinking about banning radios during a few of this year's TdF.

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"You are like the wind and I like the lion. You form the tempest. The sand stings my eyes and the ground is parched. I roar in defiance but you do not hear. But between us there is a difference. I, like the lion, must remain in my place. While you like the wind will never know yours." -- Mulay Hamid El Raisuli, Lord of the Riff, Sultan to the Berbers, Last of the Barbary Pirates

hoggy

what about banning them once the first riders is within 50k of the finish?

Crankyfeet

How do you police that hoggy?? I mean if the rider's got the earpiece in his helmet... it's a bit hard to make sure the transmitter or receiver is turned off at the 50k to go mark... isn't it? Better would be to just ban 'em. Though I can see how the teams might position staff by the road and shout the time gaps at the peloton as they passed. Modern technology makes it hard to eradicate communication... because everyone has access to a TV or a phone/two way radio nowadays.

hoggy

i was under the impression (possibly mistaken) that all radios were on an open channel and they are easily monitored. if they are not then yes it wouldnt be worth the trouble

poulidor

How many people you need to put on a stage/race 200km long? or just in the last 50 km?

If we have a look at yesterday stage, without radio Carlstrom would never knonw that his teammate was attacking...and he would have not stay in the wheels.

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micron

the proposal is that each team gets one radio and then has to decide how best to use it - I'd love to see them banned totally - they weren't around when I first got into the sport and the racing was better for it and not any unsafer.