DCN February 2017 | Page 43

case study could accommodate various television graphics teams , race coordination officials , data capturers and analytics teams responsible for delivering the complete end-to-end data solution at the 2016 Tour de France . This is one of the biggest changes from 2015 , where each team worked separately , and continues the theme of collaboration and data integration made possible by the advancements in the technologies on display .
Also new for 2016 was a web based application called ‘ Race Center ’, which combined the live race data , video , photographs , social media feeds and race commentary , becoming the official digital hub of the race . The new live tracking website gave viewers an immersive digital experience with access to more accurate information from riders in the 22 teams , including speed , distance between riders , composition of the pelotons , wind speed and direction , as well as prevailing weather conditions .
‘ The enhancements to this year ’ s solution means we were able to tell richer and more enhanced stories as they happen , giving viewers , the media , cycling fans and race commentators deeper insights into the sport that weren ’ t available until now ,’ says Peter Gray , Dimension Data ’ s sports practice senior director of technology . ‘ This year , we worked with a much broader palette , which means access to more meaningful race data , race routes , riders and current weather conditions . What ’ s been exciting is the ability to deliver all this information to ASO through a unified digital platform . This makes the quality of the data even more valuable for viewer engagement , and speaks directly to a generation of younger viewers who rely on new technologies such as social media and live video to engage with their world .’
Christian Prudhomme , director of the Tour de France , ASO , says , ‘ The unprecedented growth in different social channels , like Instagram , Twitter , Facebook and live video at last year ’ s race , demanded these technologies be embraced and enhanced for modern viewers . The Tour de France is a flagship event in a modern world , and it ’ s only natural that we give our viewers access to as much quality content , entertainment and analysis as possible through the media they use every day . Together with Dimension Data , we ’ ve been working on new ways to appeal to our billions of viewers , and we ’ re excited to showcase the result of our efforts through Race Center .’
Christian adds , ‘ I believe the appeal of having access to multiple real time video , social media and live race information from one responsive and intuitive interface greatly enhanced the quality of coverage of the Tour de France , and will become an essential companion to the largest live televised event in the world .’
As technology continues to evolve , the possibilities for capturing data in professional cycling , and sport in general , are expanding .
A number of significant improvements have been made to the solution since the 2015 Tour de France .
Being able to send large amounts of data from a large group of riders is already enabling greater analysis , from learning where the stresses and strains are on a bike , to how a rider ’ s position on their bike can improve performance . As more data Chris Froome ,
is collected , this will fundamentally winner of the 2016 Tour , was forced to change sport , from how riders train run part of the race to how viewers , fans and the global following a crash media consume live events . with a motorbike .
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