Use of Radio in tour tactics

[Master50]

Watching stage 15 coverage today. The situation was 5 guys in a break and Niki Sorensen is trying to bridge. He is in no mans land hovering from 35 to 45 seconds and making slow if any progress. It looks like the break is resisting his getting across. So 5 Saxo Bank guys come to the front of the peloton to drive a chase, I suppose, to also threaten the entire break if Niki does not make it. Only a few minutes of this and the break slows enough that Niki makes it across in a more timely manner where he immediately restores their pace. Now the radios and the TV are clearly being used to send messages. The guys hear that saxo wants either their rider in the break or no break gets away. As soon as Niki made it across the Saxo Bank guys came right off the front and gave it back to Sky.
Interesting application of media.

 

[will10]

It was a smart bit of thinking from Riis, I've not seen anyone pull that one before.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Horner was saying that OPQS did the same in the past few days although I'm not sure who the rider was

 

[T-Rav.]

Given the current rules regarding race radio, that seems like a pretty smart tactic. Especially for a team that has no GC contender yet really wants/needs positive results out of this Tour. I'm sure other teams have done it, but am surprised it isn't done more often.

 

[ericthesportsman6]

That's actually brilliant. Didn't notice that.

 

[Caruut]

That's actually brilliant. Didn't notice that.

Very smart tactical move. Doesn't need radio necessarily, but it makes it much easier.

 

[Cimber]

Horner was saying that OPQS did the same in the past few days although I'm not sure who the rider was

Yeah, Riis also stated that they borrowed the idea from OPQS. And when OPQS used it Voigt critizised it ón twitter. I think it was a smart move. I dont hope se start seeing teams use it all the time though.

 

[El Oso]

Yeah, Riis also stated that they borrowed the idea from OPQS. And when OPQS used it Voigt critizised it ón twitter. I think it was a smart move. I dont hope se start seeing teams use it all the time though.

The same Voigt that says radios are a necessity?

 

[JA.Tri]

Phil and Paul

P squared were rabbiting on about the escape and the chase. Then mention of the Saxo team "pursuit". Then miraculously the catch...

Unfortunately P squared couldn't reach the obvious conclusion. So the commentary lacked some useful insight to the novice viewer, as there was no acknowledgement of the clever tactics from Saxo.

 

[TomasC]

It was a smart bit of thinking from Riis, I've not seen anyone pull that one before.

I actually think it was Sorensen's idea. He waved and spoke to his teamcar right before this happened.