How can you tell how close he is though?
Is he close enough to get an advantage?
You can't see the moto.
We don't know what 'zoom' they are using.
I think you'll find it isn't.
These days there are all sorts of regulations about where and how you can fly drones.
For example, only within sight of the operator/pilot, max height ~120m, not within 50m of being above any uninvolved person (such as spectators).
I doubt you'd be permitted to put the pilot in a following car, even open topped, and anyway, the last thing needed is yet more cars.
Those races I've seen that have had drone coverage (MTB & CX mostly, though there has been the occasional road race), have all limited coverage to relatively short sections of spectator-free route (up to half a mile/800m), which isn't too bad when it's laps of a circuit, but just seeing the peloton whizz past once wouldn't be worth while in most road races.
If they decide to i feel it's possible nowadays. But indeed, a drone wouldn't push spectators out of the way so i guess motorcycles at the front of the peloton will remain for at least a while. Drones for now likely only as an enhancement in terms of media coverage.
Wait, its OK to have images of spectators from heli, moto, and autos, but not drones? That can't be accurate.
MTB world cups (XC and DH) have most of the spectators in the drone footage. Red Bull rampage, etc. have most of the spectators in the footage. CX has most of the spectators in the footage...I could go on.
It's not about having the spectators on the drone footage, it's about not having the drone crash on them.
I think that if you review your MTB/CX drone footage, you'll find that everyone close to the course is event staff (marshals, paramedics etc).
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Two things:
1) Fly them over the road if they are worried.
2) There are millions of hours of of drone footage, and how many crashes? It just isn't a thing.
They have displays with 25,000 drones synchronized, but a dozen can't be controlled safely following a bike race. I'm not buying it.
I realize that you don't make the rules/laws, but I call BS on whoever does.
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They should be made to be more aware of drafting. In flanders all we got was moto shots from behind the riders.
Thus given us a perfect view of 2 other moto's also filming (but their shots being rarely used) whom were riding 10-50 meters ahead of MVDP and Pogacar whilst Remco was chasing for kilometers without a moto in front of him. It was very noticeable.
They could have easily just kept a motor behind MVDP and Pogacar and behind remco. Instead they gave the go ahead to 2 moto's to ride ahead of them giving them draft for barely used footage.
I'm not the biggest fan of drones. They may very well be the future but I think Moto's are still very much needed. Still they should start fining these moto's just like they fine the cyclist. Once you start paying attention to it, it's too noticeable. There has been barely a race this season where there was at least not one moment were the moto's were giving a rider some extra benefit.
Remco for instance also benefited from some moto draft in the opening races
Thus given us a perfect view of 2 other moto's also filming (but their shots being rarely used) whom were riding 10-50 meters ahead of MVDP and Pogacar whilst Remco was chasing for kilometers without a moto in front of him. It was very noticeable.
They could have easily just kept a motor behind MVDP and Pogacar and behind remco. Instead they gave the go ahead to 2 moto's to ride ahead of them giving them draft for barely used footage.
I'm not the biggest fan of drones. They may very well be the future but I think Moto's are still very much needed. Still they should start fining these moto's just like they fine the cyclist. Once you start paying attention to it, it's too noticeable. There has been barely a race this season where there was at least not one moment were the moto's were giving a rider some extra benefit.
Remco for instance also benefited from some moto draft in the opening races
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There has never been any race since the advent of motos where motos didn't give a rider out front some extra benefit.
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If the motos were behind the riders then only Evenepoel would have gotten the draft.
And for the footage point.
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The difference is that solo rides from far out by a big rider was not as common so having mainly a break of the day getting some benefit was never a problem but when a strong rider gets sole benefit for 50km then it's a different issue.
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Obviously the moment remco could have gotten moto draft they should all be gone from places where they affect the race
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numerous races where the peloton got far more draft than any attacker
This is all about outdated technology and increased consumer demand. Cycling fans want video, they can't be bothered with physical, financial and technical limitations. They will not accept 1 or 2 cameras per race and a helicopter. Fans want to see the action. If you want to limit motorcycles you are going to limit cameras. Basque country, Flanders, both great examples of awesome ,some ancient roads that are curvy, uneven surfaces, sometimes wet. It's very complicated for a two up moto, the best practice is to race ahead of riders, make the turn, slower, safely on the motorcycle and get the video footage after you are stable and safe. Constant struggle to maintain an equal distance from a bicycle when it's behind you and maintain balance for @@350-400 kilos of motorcycle, people and equipment.
If fans and TV producers need video, the best way to achieve it safely, with less drafting controversy is use updated technology, if bike racing motorcycle camera setup still looks like the days of Eddy Merckx you probably should update, everything else looks different. Racers, races are different, anyone you ask says so, many races are full gas from the gun, more crashes.. All things that effect video, how to be in the right place at the right time, how to be everywhere all at once.
The resistance to using new, better, cheaper, safer, more versatile technology is obvious, it goes against status quo and it puts race organizations behind the eight ball because of learning curve and initial investment.
It's sort of a connection to bio passport, why has cycling not been able to figure out how to test athletes, when every other sport has figured it out and moved on.
For Americans, you see what was offered in the Merckx era in MLB, Golf, Tennis, NBA, NFL.. The amount of cameras, technology and fan interaction, feedback has increased by 10 million percent. Was a ball out of bounds? Did someone step out? There is so much, some argue too much technology. Did the player just double fault? Where the ball landed can be established for players, officials and fans almost instantaneously.
Cycling coverage is way, way, way behind. Who are the riders in the break? What is their bio? Age, height, team history, race highlights like last win, when they turned pro, married, single, favorite food, where they reside according to UCI, all that and more can be displayed on your TV or computer while you watch the race like it is in all other major sports.
Bike racing is doomed to failure and limitations because of the bike racing people running bike racing. Hire people who know what they are doing, don't hire them because they used to race bikes and doing TV is next logical landing place, after racing, they are in charge of a major business like pro bike racing. What bike racers are going to night school or correspondence classes to polish skills for the after life in big business? No. Bike racing has zero to do with running a business, but somehow it's a major credential for ruining TV production of bike races. Be willing to bet, no ex pro tennis players, no ex NFL or NBA players with any major responsibility with camera tech setup, playback features, on screen video, or players bio backstory that are used during the games.
View: https://m.youtube.com/shorts/FwqGdDafMJo
We are the only fans stuck in the 1960s
View: https://m.youtube.com/shorts/dTfbRKoF4QQ
Too much awesome technology to even start listing it..I am just happy when they momentarily flash riders names from the breakaway!! Lol
If fans and TV producers need video, the best way to achieve it safely, with less drafting controversy is use updated technology, if bike racing motorcycle camera setup still looks like the days of Eddy Merckx you probably should update, everything else looks different. Racers, races are different, anyone you ask says so, many races are full gas from the gun, more crashes.. All things that effect video, how to be in the right place at the right time, how to be everywhere all at once.
The resistance to using new, better, cheaper, safer, more versatile technology is obvious, it goes against status quo and it puts race organizations behind the eight ball because of learning curve and initial investment.
It's sort of a connection to bio passport, why has cycling not been able to figure out how to test athletes, when every other sport has figured it out and moved on.
For Americans, you see what was offered in the Merckx era in MLB, Golf, Tennis, NBA, NFL.. The amount of cameras, technology and fan interaction, feedback has increased by 10 million percent. Was a ball out of bounds? Did someone step out? There is so much, some argue too much technology. Did the player just double fault? Where the ball landed can be established for players, officials and fans almost instantaneously.
Cycling coverage is way, way, way behind. Who are the riders in the break? What is their bio? Age, height, team history, race highlights like last win, when they turned pro, married, single, favorite food, where they reside according to UCI, all that and more can be displayed on your TV or computer while you watch the race like it is in all other major sports.
Bike racing is doomed to failure and limitations because of the bike racing people running bike racing. Hire people who know what they are doing, don't hire them because they used to race bikes and doing TV is next logical landing place, after racing, they are in charge of a major business like pro bike racing. What bike racers are going to night school or correspondence classes to polish skills for the after life in big business? No. Bike racing has zero to do with running a business, but somehow it's a major credential for ruining TV production of bike races. Be willing to bet, no ex pro tennis players, no ex NFL or NBA players with any major responsibility with camera tech setup, playback features, on screen video, or players bio backstory that are used during the games.
We are the only fans stuck in the 1960s
Too much awesome technology to even start listing it..I am just happy when they momentarily flash riders names from the breakaway!! Lol
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