Radios to return to .HC and .1 events from next year

[MatParker117]

Cycling’s governing body backed down on its stance against race radios. Going ahead in the 2016 season, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) will not only allow two-way communication between riders and teams in WorldTour events, but also in .1 and .HC category events.

Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad reported today the decision that the UCI made during a meeting at the Road World Championships in Richmond, USA, this week.

Instead of only in top stage races like the Tour de France or classics like Paris-Roubaix, cyclists and teams in 2016 will be able to use two-way radios in races such as the Tour of Britain, the Tour of California, or the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.


Read more at http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/uci-makes-u-turn-on-team-race-radio-ban-192842#fKKSyz8ZvvTLAwez.99

Have to agree it's silly to ban radios from certain races, if it's good enough for the TDF it's good enough for Langkawi.

 

[Gloin22]

Well that sucks...

 

[MatParker117]

Re:

Well that sucks...

Why there are valid safety and Sporting reasons why the ban was dumb in the first place?

 

[Gloin22]

Re: Re:

Well that sucks...

Why there are valid safety and Sporting reasons why the ban was dumb in the first place?

Keep races more predictable and keeping the excitement to a minimum, how is that good sporting reason?

 

[MatParker117]

Re: Re:

Well that sucks...

Why there are valid safety and Sporting reasons why the ban was dumb in the first place?

Keep races more predictable and keeping the excitement to a minimum, how is that good sporting reason?

Really? There were plenty of exciting races when riders had radios, a couple of tour stages in recent years come to mind.

 

[Gloin22]

Re: Re:

Well that sucks...

Why there are valid safety and Sporting reasons why the ban was dumb in the first place?

Keep races more predictable and keeping the excitement to a minimum, how is that good sporting reason?

Really? There were plenty of exciting races when riders had radios, a couple of tour stages in recent years come to mind.

Im not saying there can't be exciting races with radios, sure they happen of course (mostly those will be strongly affected by weather mind you.) But there are far more exciting races without radios than there are with radios. It gives another aspect to cycling, cyclist must think for themselves..( which I guess in many cases they did show they can't think for themselves to well) . Now they just have to rely on their directors..

 

[hrotha]

Have to agree it's silly to ban radios from certain races, if it's good enough for the TDF it's good enough for Langkawi.

The idea was to test it out in smaller races before implementing the ban for all races eventually. Not gonna happen now, it seems. A shame.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re: Re:

Well that sucks...

Why there are valid safety and Sporting reasons why the ban was dumb in the first place?

No there aren't. Teams like radios so riders don't have to think for themselves and can instead closely follow strategies dictated from the team cars.

 

[skidmark]

Well, there will always be Adam Yates at San Sebastien.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

No anti dope progress
The Circ circus
The Zorzoli debacle
Astana - nothing to see
Amount of WT teams moving forward will be the same, i.e not reduced which would support a better invite structure.
No relegation/promotion transparent process for access to WT, i.e its still bribe-able suits in a back room who decides which team gets the nod etc.
And now unintelligent drones will fill the landscape everywhere.

Bring back Phat please.

 

[Master50]

From a a safety and race management perspective I have always favoured radios. they have real advantages. As a mechanism of robotic racing I have always maintained that the real problem was the drugs that enabled an entire team to execute the order to chase for 30 KM. In my mind it was not just the radios because they do permit the director greater control over tactics but the inhuman ability of the team to obey those orders. There is still a ban in lower than .2 races and junior racing so the riders will still need to learn a few things about tactics. Also these lower category racers generally have smaller fields that will permit the car movements needed to support the riders. Radios will to some extent lower the chance of cyclist/ car incidents too.
Put me down as in favour of this decision. I think recent pro tour races has shown the character of the race has changed and we have seen lots of exciting finishes.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Massive shame