Let's have a real race! Forget the radios. I think that this will be a very healthy step for American racing and should bring back some of the "old world" excitement. The physically strongest rider may not always win. But that's GREAT! The smartest rider with strong legs and heart may actually have a chance to show their brilliance in reading the race! Thank you USAC!
Cal Garcia - 2 years ago
Radios = Negative Racing, specifically in US pro-1/2 racing. Just a bunch of points counters. No more attacks and responses based on instinct. Who cares about the other sports? Get rid of the radios and loosen natural aggressive racing behavior.
Old Bike Rider - 2 years ago
I think, while technology is a wonderful thing, too much in the wrong place is a problem. Looking at American football, the use of radios to pass plays, etc has ruined the game (must be why I don't watch it anymore). Watch a Rugby match and you see very little coaching from the sidelines. The players and team captain must do the work. In cycling, the use of radios has also ruined the game. But if you look inside today's pro team car, you see radios, television, cell phones, GPS, etc. In truth, we need to remove all technology that provides them race information (the GPS can stay). There are too many inside distractions. What the team car should have besides GPS is a receive-only radio to hear updates from race officials. That would really bring back what makes racing fun...the rider having to think and react, the team having to support the weak and the strong by looking out for each other. The domestiques and leaders having to move back to discuss strategy. I believe it would make it more exciting for the fans. As for the guys on the motorbike with their chalkboard, I know it will cause widespread unemployment but I think that they can go as well. Once again, it's part of the strategy on how hard to ride to take the win...
On a side bar, I'd also like to see teams stop allowing the directors to drive and talk to their riders...get someone behind the wheel that is concentrating on driving. Maybe, since the road is closed, team cars can drive to the left, move up the the front on the right, and cyclist ride more towards the right...where they're use to riding on a daily basis. I think the peletons have been very lucky that more riders aren't struck by cars...a testimonial to their bike handling and divine intervention.
Sam - 2 years ago
^Doug, They will not be outlawing ALLL Radios, just the riders' radios. Have you been to one of these races? The riders are not the ones calling in the cavalry when someone goes down, they are riding right on by. I have asked this a couple times on this forum. When have the RIDERS radios saved these riders, or in this case, gotten help there quicker? There is plenty of other communication going on at these races to provide safety. There may be a valid argument for radios, but safety is NOT one of them...
Doug - 2 years ago
The ultimate and overriding factor in this radio decision should be the safety of the riders. If this premise is true then radios must be allowed. Bicycle racing is one of improvements in equipment, athlete conditioning, road maintenance and communications. Radio communications has several times contributed to assuring an injured rider gets medical as quick as possible. Why in the world would you want to go backwards in time to a place where conditions were not as safe as possible?
Jeffry - 2 years ago
As a spectator I will defer to the racers who know more than I do about letting the directors talk to their riders over the radio, But get the TV's out of the cars, get rid for the little motor cycle dude that runs back and forth telling the peleton how far the breakaway is up the road. Let the guys race their own race and if the pack doesn't catch the break tough!
sam - 2 years ago
to Kenyon, there actually has been no REAL argument for the radios as the safety thing is a bit bogus.
FRED WOODWARD - 2 years ago
I REMEMBER WHEN WE DIDN'T HAVE TV.WE COULD ELIMINATE ALL INFO AND FIND OUT RESULTS AFTER THE RACE.
Kenyon - 2 years ago
The only argument I've heard FOR race radios is safety. I agree with this, but I also think communications about strategy dull the race. What if there was a common radio used by all that only communicated safety issues broadcast by a neutral support party?
Larry - 2 years ago
LOTS of sports limit contact between competitor and coach during competition. Tennis, Curling(!), even Baseball and basketball have a few limits. I think the competitor SHOULD be more or less on their own during the event. They should be trained and practiced at reading the race, and use their own judgement. Otherwise, like Levi says, they are just robots.
Mac - 2 years ago
Removing radios eliminates the means to transmit precise calculated data to the racers and puts their instinct - not the director's - back in the game.
WannaBeSTi - 2 years ago
Personally, I don't care if radios are banned or not. I can see the benefits going in either direction.
Most of the riders started at the bottom and worked their way up to the level they are now without the use of radios. I agree it should make the riders pay more attention to what is going on around them. If they miss a break, aren't given good info about the course, or what ever, that is just how the game is played. If the salaried Pros want to stomp their feet and have a tantrum about not having radios they should stop and think about this: You are getting paid to screw around on a bike. You are blessed with a talent that you get to use. So, just go ride.
As for my support for radios, I can see the benefits, but let's not say it is for safety reasons. I think it "can" make the races more interesting for me watching on tv or online and that makes me happy. Having a radio isn't going to allow a team or a rider to cover a break as they still have to do the work and use their skills to keep out of danger.
Finally, let's face it, doping is a much larger fish to reel in than radios. Energy would be best spent on doping and getting more events than radios.
I think getting back to the point of the poll is how the ban affects racing here in America under the umbrella of USA Cycling (USAC). And to that ban, I say Amen, brother! Professional racing is only part of the picture. There are plenty of Pro/1/2 teams that attempt to use race radios. I can testify for me that for the 7 or 8 races that I have used them, they are far more hassle than any kind of real benefit. You can rarely hear what is being said by your teammates, and you end up losing focus on your immediate surroundings trying to press the mic or adjust the ear piece or even just straining to hear through all the background noise. I haven't done any scientific studies on the matter, but my educated guess is that radios cause more safety problems than they eliminate for the amateur races under USAC jurisdiction.
Crrrash - 2 years ago
Even if you take them away. There will be a bunch of Maxwell Smarts floating around. You know instead of radio's you can see - maybe a rider might be talking to his Sidi's. I'm just trying to figure out who agent 99 would be?
txcyclist - 2 years ago
The whole thing with Ullrich could - and should - easily have been done without the riders having race radios. There was plenty of time for team support staff to notify the team still at the start house about the conditions at that turn, without having to tell Jan out on the course. The problem with that turn was ongoing throughout the day, and had teammates and support staff been communicative, then the info could have been passed along. (Heck, they could have seen that there was a problem there had they just watched their TVs!)
Having a race radio wouldn't have changed a thing, and for that matter, it's very possible that they DID have them (Lance sure as heck did)
azcycledad - 2 years ago
Originally I commented that it would be fine to not have the radios anymore. And, I still stick to that opinion. But, I was watching the '03 TdF and heard Lance comment that Ullrich wouldn't have fallen in that corner had his team radioed back to him that it was slippery. 3 of his teammates had fallen there and the team director hadn't told Jan to watch out. Lance's team did radio back and he was able to avoid crashing. Also, the team director acts as a 10th man (or however many riders are allowed on a team plus 1). He can marshall the team as quickly as possible to react to situations that occur during the race. We have seen the team work more coherantly for the team leader now than in the past. The radios have a place but, because professional sports are more or less a show for the fans, in my opinion there will be more race excitement without them.
Paul L. Kordus - 2 years ago
The riders need to be able to read a race and judge for themselves who or when to go with what ever break takes off up the road and it will make racing more instinctive. Otherwise we could just have robots doing the riding like some big expensive video game with the Director pulling the strings from behind. Stand up for yourselves and prove you can do it on your own !!!!!!!
smittyj - 2 years ago
Hey if you want technology maybe they should put a motor on the bikes?
No radios will mean that everyone will have to pay attention, break-aways will have to be covered. Let the riders play the end game.
Perceived progress (radios) is not always good... a fine step back in this case will make for more exciting racing. If not for those of us watching, then it will create some energy in the pack to pay attention and keep your head out of your butt.
Studies done the past few years show no evident rise in safety or lessening of injuries with the advent of radio use.
sam - 2 years ago
Now if you could be reasonable in your response and tell me how many times in these races does a radio actually SAVE the riders. and be honest.
jimbones - 2 years ago
And maybe velcro balls and oversized gloves at the SuperBowl so there are no missed catches...
rookie87 - 2 years ago
So what is next take all the gears off,
Its called technology people.
jimbones - 2 years ago
As far as safety, no one is saying there can't be radios for safety, just not for inter-team communication and controlling a race. I think the directors use the whole safety thing as leverage.
dan23dan23 - 2 years ago
I disagree. Racing is about evolution, riders are on the most advanced bicycles, using the most advanced equipment, it seems they should also have the most advanced information too. It's a safety issue, as well as an information loop that allows teams to focus better on a certain rider, a specific part on the course, as well as catch breakaways. The exciting part is the catch, but the intriguing part is the success of the breakaway. Race radio's won't slow the breakaway, it could push for more breakaways, and for those in the break to push harder.
I say keep the radios!
Chris - 2 years ago
@sam , no they will still have the guy on the bike with the chalk boards. But they only come around from time to time - and they only give timegaps, no other info.
While as radio's provided riders with all info - even when to attack - where to sit in the bunch etc etc - like LEVI once said - "you become a robot"
I think its great for racing. Imagine a guy like Jens Voigt breaking away, if they don;t stay on him he is gone
sam - 2 years ago
Wait is this for the lance winning the TDF poll? JUST KIDDING! I think it will be exciting for the fans. One question: Does that mean they will no longer have the men on the motor bikes and the chalk boards telling them how far they are back too?
jimbones - 2 years ago
Excitement is a big part of enjoying a race, and lets face it, race-radio sure puts a damper on breakaways. Yeah, its nice to know how big the gap is (or how fatigued the break looks, or who punctured) when your chasing, but we need excitement more than we need informed riders. Not allowing race-radio is not going to deter riders, we love our sport, but it will bring more spectators with exciting racing. Ever watch the Tour and the Phil and Paul are telling us the exact kilometer the break will be caught (by computer model), if you didn't know this, wouldn't it be more exciting? Same thing.
Let's have a real race! Forget the radios. I think that this will be a very healthy step for American racing and should bring back some of the "old world" excitement. The physically strongest rider may not always win. But that's GREAT! The smartest rider with strong legs and heart may actually have a chance to show their brilliance in reading the race! Thank you USAC!
Radios = Negative Racing, specifically in US pro-1/2 racing. Just a bunch of points counters. No more attacks and responses based on instinct. Who cares about the other sports? Get rid of the radios and loosen natural aggressive racing behavior.
I think, while technology is a wonderful thing, too much in the wrong place is a problem. Looking at American football, the use of radios to pass plays, etc has ruined the game (must be why I don't watch it anymore). Watch a Rugby match and you see very little coaching from the sidelines. The players and team captain must do the work. In cycling, the use of radios has also ruined the game. But if you look inside today's pro team car, you see radios, television, cell phones, GPS, etc. In truth, we need to remove all technology that provides them race information (the GPS can stay). There are too many inside distractions. What the team car should have besides GPS is a receive-only radio to hear updates from race officials. That would really bring back what makes racing fun...the rider having to think and react, the team having to support the weak and the strong by looking out for each other. The domestiques and leaders having to move back to discuss strategy. I believe it would make it more exciting for the fans. As for the guys on the motorbike with their chalkboard, I know it will cause widespread unemployment but I think that they can go as well. Once again, it's part of the strategy on how hard to ride to take the win...
On a side bar, I'd also like to see teams stop allowing the directors to drive and talk to their riders...get someone behind the wheel that is concentrating on driving. Maybe, since the road is closed, team cars can drive to the left, move up the the front on the right, and cyclist ride more towards the right...where they're use to riding on a daily basis. I think the peletons have been very lucky that more riders aren't struck by cars...a testimonial to their bike handling and divine intervention.
^Doug, They will not be outlawing ALLL Radios, just the riders' radios. Have you been to one of these races? The riders are not the ones calling in the cavalry when someone goes down, they are riding right on by. I have asked this a couple times on this forum. When have the RIDERS radios saved these riders, or in this case, gotten help there quicker? There is plenty of other communication going on at these races to provide safety. There may be a valid argument for radios, but safety is NOT one of them...
The ultimate and overriding factor in this radio decision should be the safety of the riders. If this premise is true then radios must be allowed. Bicycle racing is one of improvements in equipment, athlete conditioning, road maintenance and communications. Radio communications has several times contributed to assuring an injured rider gets medical as quick as possible. Why in the world would you want to go backwards in time to a place where conditions were not as safe as possible?
As a spectator I will defer to the racers who know more than I do about letting the directors talk to their riders over the radio, But get the TV's out of the cars, get rid for the little motor cycle dude that runs back and forth telling the peleton how far the breakaway is up the road. Let the guys race their own race and if the pack doesn't catch the break tough!
to Kenyon, there actually has been no REAL argument for the radios as the safety thing is a bit bogus.
I REMEMBER WHEN WE DIDN'T HAVE TV.WE COULD ELIMINATE ALL INFO AND FIND OUT RESULTS AFTER THE RACE.
The only argument I've heard FOR race radios is safety. I agree with this, but I also think communications about strategy dull the race. What if there was a common radio used by all that only communicated safety issues broadcast by a neutral support party?
LOTS of sports limit contact between competitor and coach during competition. Tennis, Curling(!), even Baseball and basketball have a few limits. I think the competitor SHOULD be more or less on their own during the event. They should be trained and practiced at reading the race, and use their own judgement. Otherwise, like Levi says, they are just robots.
Removing radios eliminates the means to transmit precise calculated data to the racers and puts their instinct - not the director's - back in the game.
Personally, I don't care if radios are banned or not. I can see the benefits going in either direction.
Most of the riders started at the bottom and worked their way up to the level they are now without the use of radios. I agree it should make the riders pay more attention to what is going on around them. If they miss a break, aren't given good info about the course, or what ever, that is just how the game is played. If the salaried Pros want to stomp their feet and have a tantrum about not having radios they should stop and think about this: You are getting paid to screw around on a bike. You are blessed with a talent that you get to use. So, just go ride.
As for my support for radios, I can see the benefits, but let's not say it is for safety reasons. I think it "can" make the races more interesting for me watching on tv or online and that makes me happy. Having a radio isn't going to allow a team or a rider to cover a break as they still have to do the work and use their skills to keep out of danger.
Finally, let's face it, doping is a much larger fish to reel in than radios. Energy would be best spent on doping and getting more events than radios.
I think getting back to the point of the poll is how the ban affects racing here in America under the umbrella of USA Cycling (USAC). And to that ban, I say Amen, brother! Professional racing is only part of the picture. There are plenty of Pro/1/2 teams that attempt to use race radios. I can testify for me that for the 7 or 8 races that I have used them, they are far more hassle than any kind of real benefit. You can rarely hear what is being said by your teammates, and you end up losing focus on your immediate surroundings trying to press the mic or adjust the ear piece or even just straining to hear through all the background noise. I haven't done any scientific studies on the matter, but my educated guess is that radios cause more safety problems than they eliminate for the amateur races under USAC jurisdiction.
Even if you take them away. There will be a bunch of Maxwell Smarts floating around. You know instead of radio's you can see - maybe a rider might be talking to his Sidi's. I'm just trying to figure out who agent 99 would be?
The whole thing with Ullrich could - and should - easily have been done without the riders having race radios. There was plenty of time for team support staff to notify the team still at the start house about the conditions at that turn, without having to tell Jan out on the course. The problem with that turn was ongoing throughout the day, and had teammates and support staff been communicative, then the info could have been passed along. (Heck, they could have seen that there was a problem there had they just watched their TVs!)
Having a race radio wouldn't have changed a thing, and for that matter, it's very possible that they DID have them (Lance sure as heck did)
Originally I commented that it would be fine to not have the radios anymore. And, I still stick to that opinion. But, I was watching the '03 TdF and heard Lance comment that Ullrich wouldn't have fallen in that corner had his team radioed back to him that it was slippery. 3 of his teammates had fallen there and the team director hadn't told Jan to watch out. Lance's team did radio back and he was able to avoid crashing. Also, the team director acts as a 10th man (or however many riders are allowed on a team plus 1). He can marshall the team as quickly as possible to react to situations that occur during the race. We have seen the team work more coherantly for the team leader now than in the past. The radios have a place but, because professional sports are more or less a show for the fans, in my opinion there will be more race excitement without them.
The riders need to be able to read a race and judge for themselves who or when to go with what ever break takes off up the road and it will make racing more instinctive. Otherwise we could just have robots doing the riding like some big expensive video game with the Director pulling the strings from behind. Stand up for yourselves and prove you can do it on your own !!!!!!!
Hey if you want technology maybe they should put a motor on the bikes?
No radios will mean that everyone will have to pay attention, break-aways will have to be covered. Let the riders play the end game.
Perceived progress (radios) is not always good... a fine step back in this case will make for more exciting racing. If not for those of us watching, then it will create some energy in the pack to pay attention and keep your head out of your butt.
Studies done the past few years show no evident rise in safety or lessening of injuries with the advent of radio use.
Now if you could be reasonable in your response and tell me how many times in these races does a radio actually SAVE the riders. and be honest.
And maybe velcro balls and oversized gloves at the SuperBowl so there are no missed catches...
So what is next take all the gears off,
Its called technology people.
As far as safety, no one is saying there can't be radios for safety, just not for inter-team communication and controlling a race. I think the directors use the whole safety thing as leverage.
I disagree. Racing is about evolution, riders are on the most advanced bicycles, using the most advanced equipment, it seems they should also have the most advanced information too. It's a safety issue, as well as an information loop that allows teams to focus better on a certain rider, a specific part on the course, as well as catch breakaways. The exciting part is the catch, but the intriguing part is the success of the breakaway. Race radio's won't slow the breakaway, it could push for more breakaways, and for those in the break to push harder.
I say keep the radios!
@sam , no they will still have the guy on the bike with the chalk boards. But they only come around from time to time - and they only give timegaps, no other info.
While as radio's provided riders with all info - even when to attack - where to sit in the bunch etc etc - like LEVI once said - "you become a robot"
I think its great for racing. Imagine a guy like Jens Voigt breaking away, if they don;t stay on him he is gone
Wait is this for the lance winning the TDF poll? JUST KIDDING! I think it will be exciting for the fans. One question: Does that mean they will no longer have the men on the motor bikes and the chalk boards telling them how far they are back too?
Excitement is a big part of enjoying a race, and lets face it, race-radio sure puts a damper on breakaways. Yeah, its nice to know how big the gap is (or how fatigued the break looks, or who punctured) when your chasing, but we need excitement more than we need informed riders. Not allowing race-radio is not going to deter riders, we love our sport, but it will bring more spectators with exciting racing. Ever watch the Tour and the Phil and Paul are telling us the exact kilometer the break will be caught (by computer model), if you didn't know this, wouldn't it be more exciting? Same thing.