Comments on: The Peloton Replugged

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:10:27 +0000

You make a very good point about how Barry and the UCI think they know what spectators want to see. I do not recall being asked how I would improve the suspense in cycling; really, I have no complaints. It seemed to me that the problem with this year’s TdF was the route itself, not the use of radios. It’s rather ironic that one of the other factors that serves to make a race less interesting is the dominance of one or two teams — and Barry’s own team was one of the main culprits in that regard! (Though the whining of the Columbia-HTC boys about that fact was spectacle in itself.)

The worrying part about this decision, to me, is that its purpose is to “improve the spectacle” of the sport, just as running the course along unsuitable roads improves the spectacle. (I’m looking at you, Giro.) Where is the concern for rider safety? The arguments about how a radio ban make it safer seem a bit flimsy.

Another viewpoint from the peloton, this one from Dominique Rollin of Cervelo (in French): http://tinyurl.com/yg6mgah

By: DJ

DJ — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:46:40 +0000

My first thought when reading Barry’s column was that following his reasoning the use of GPS devices with preprogrammed course info (like the ones the Garmin team uses) should be banned as well as these also enable the riders to know when a hazardous stretch is coming up. In addition, if riders look out for their own interests why was there such an uproar to the radioban in this years’ TdF? It seems not every rider shares Barry’s opinion.
I would say radios also bring new things to the sport – such as the skill of the DS NOT to piss off his riders with too much yapping and only to provide relevant info, and the opportunity for ill-understood tactics such as Cervélo’s marching orders for Pauwels in stage 15 of this years’ Giro.

By: John

John — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:55:51 +0000

My biggest problem with this debate is that it doesn’t help the actual problem cycling is facing, which is overpowered teams… i’m sorry did anyone actually think that astana wouldnt win this year, and that CSC wouldn’t have won the year before, i mean cadel evans basically on his own gave them a run but even so.

the biggest problem with cycling is that the team structure is a massive failure, the sport needs to be transfered into a system akin to either the english premier league, or major league baseball

By: kkhart

kkhart — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:48:18 +0000

I also support the ban. I don’t think it’s too late to change back – and that argument seems sort of like just throwing up one’s hands when presented with a challenge. Will it be difficult for some teams who are used to the current process – sure.
Plus, I often think that the TdF is becoming a match of directors and whoever can afford the strongest legs. Let’s see what the pack can do when using their minds as well.

By: bbypy

bbypy — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:01:37 +0000

There is something pure about a sport where a rank amateur can in principle grab a piece of equipment and be on a level field with the pros. I mean why not $1k titanium composite baseball bats and $10k dollar swimsuits. Oh wait. Anyway, the point is radios take cycling one more step away, just like specialized TT bikes, wheels and the rest. I respect tech innovations but it’s not the reason I follow the sport.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:55:33 +0000

I may be in the minority, but I support the radio ban. I think it will make riders and teams have to react on the road, instead of being orchestrated from a team car behind the race.

This may be a bad analogy, but football players have limited radio access when plays are called in—imagine if the coaches could talk to the quarterback throughout the whole play—-”hey, hey, look deep left. No, not your left. My left. He’s open. Throw the ball…..” or, “watch your blind side. blitz is coming.”

I think the racing would be more strategic and tactical if left to the teams on the road to figure it out.

My $.02.

By: Dan Gerous

Dan Gerous — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:15:09 +0000

Would racing without radio end up very often with every team not letting any escape go? So it would always finish in sprints? Maybe that’s why Michael is against radios, they have the worlds current best sprinter and they have lost some strong riders for other types of races for 2010… Sadly, for too many (spectators, journalists and it seems racers too), cycling IS the Tour de France.