I might have guessed. Using US viewing trends as a benchmark.
You 're a very confusing guy. You ask a question and get an answer, then you change the question. Name your benchmark, please and be specific
An average of 3 million watch each Tour stage, in France.
This number is low
Any idea what that figure is for the US?
33 million watched the 2008 Tour on Versus, and are up 83% so far this year. You do the math.
Anyhow, I'm not going to bang on about the real state of pro cycling, in respect of this.
What about yesterday? Earpieces restored and another plod.
What a surprise, taking it easy on a sprint stage two days before the Alps, never seen that before.
Only this time, 20 riders injured in crashes.
Anyone who thinks radios are going to stop a crash in the peloton is a Moron. Anybody who thinks that is what the riders are referring to when they mention safety is also a Moron. The issue is a lot bigger then a some lost skin.
Popovych, Sastre and Schleck snr down and as for poor Caisse:-
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/caisse-depargne-down-a-man-after-massive-pile-up
So much for the safety argument, as if we didn't know.
I know this is a concept that is hard to grasp. It is the opinion of the riders that their safety is enhanced with radios. Since it is opinion you cannot argue with it, only the facts used in reaching it's conclusion. If "safety" for the riders really means, more secure, more competitive, more reactive, better informed, having a better understanding of the current strategic position, not having to wonder what's for dinner... these are all valid reasons for wanting the technology. There is more riding on there individual decisions in a race than ever before. It's all on live TV in front of 2,000,000,000 (yes, that is the real number) world wide.
They should have that say. When technology all around them is through the roof with media coverage and communication for every aspect race coverage, why should they suffer a disadvantage. It is obviously important to them. They will have a collective reaction if they try to take it away again, so why have the confrontation?
Their reaction to the small percentage of fans, and it is a VERY small percentage is; "Get over it" And we all should. The collective memory for how racing used to be is not as clear as the nostalgia buffs seem to think.
+1
All technology is new, therefore it must be better: Buy into it or be a loser.