Race radio poll

[Saab2000]

So I sit here in the reading Cyclingnews and there are discussions by racers and former racers and managers on the pros and cons of race radios. Personally, I'm not a fan of them but I'm also not riding in the pro peloton so I can't really judge their positions. I don't think there is much doubt that racing is far, far more controlled than it used to be with much less spontaneity than there used to be pre-radio. Seems a couple of super teams control the races, especially the hilly stages in the big tours, until the final climb.

I'm not a big fan either of the UCI and some of their backwards positions on technology. So the question is: Who supports race radios in pro cycling?

I don't really agree that they advance safety, though it is also without doubt that roads in Europe have changed in the past 20-30 years, with far more dividers for pedestrians and far more roundabouts installed at intersections which used to either be virtually uncontrolled or have stop lights. These can both create safety hazards for big packs of cyclists moving at high speeds.

But so can talking on a radio instead of concentrating on cycling.

AFAIK, there's only one guy here who participated in big time bike racing as a member of the peloton. This is, of course, Flux. He can comment with authority. My own racing was at a level where it didn't really matter and in any case was in the pre-radio era.

For or against? Lay it down. The road season is upon us.

[Too Tall]

No opinion wrt Pro racing. They do what they do and I sit with popcorn in my lap watching.
I will comment on radios in non-pro racing. BS.

[Saab2000]

No opinion wrt Pro racing. They do what they do and I sit with popcorn in my lap watching.
I will comment on radios in non-pro racing. BS.

1. Keep not commenting on radios in non-pro racing. I love your non-opinions!
2. It's winter. Acting like we have a clue about pro racing is what we do in winter (and the rest of the year). Antsy to get riding and this topic seems apropos.

[corko]

hate the way the breaks are always caught with 2k to go...........

love the idea of we, the viewers getting to listen in though(how will the expletives be handled?)

[spicoli]

For me; I like the "Chess" on wheels aspect of bike racing. A DS is usually a pretty savvy guy, so now he can "Drive/operate" a non savvy motor for the guy who cannot think on the pedals. Some guy's are just strong as hekk but so completely clueless as to whats happening in a race, they may see 50% of whats going on? Radio's act as a remote control for the DS back in the car IMO. I'd love to see more carnage from tactical mistakes on the road, drama!

Also...same as above; I like to see breaks survive! Climbers and sprinters should not win 90% of races.

[jb1883us]

Watched Race Across the Sky last night on DVD. Armstrong had mechanical issues towards the end and was positively freaked out that he didn't really know how far back 2nd place was. Timing guy on moto was not very accurate. Consequently, the race unfolded quite interestingly.

Apples and oranges in terms of racing mtb vs. road, but it was good watchin'.

Keep radios out and let the chips fall where they may.









But the real question is how small will the UCI Approved sticker have to be on that earpiece if they were allowed?

[SteveP]

i hate race radios at the races we do.
i think they make the riders dependent.
i thk the only way to have success racing is to be able to see the front of the race and pay enough attention to who is up the road to get there when necessary.
the " get up there and kill yrself to catch the guys really racing.." is bs

[Scott G.]

No radios, no team cars and no derailleurs (tweet from Henri)

I want to see the best racer win, minimize the effect of stuff, bikes, comms and money etc.

And I want to see a Super Bowl played in Green Bay.

[Saab2000]

And I want to see a Super Bowl played in Green Bay.

I agree with this. I will be doing my damndest to find the NFC Championship game on a computer or TV here in Switzerland, where I currently sit. Get by the Bears and we can talk Super Bowl. Until then, keep it down. The Bears will provide a formidable opponent.

I'd love to chat football...... But I'm trying my hardest to keep it on cycling.....

Race radios....

[Chance Legstrong]

the safety argument is weak sauce.
they should absolutely be banned in the jr. u-23, and non-pro elite level races.
as far as d-1 and d-2 is concerned, i hate how the races are basically scripted to the finish.
if coming up through the ranks you don't get to race with 2-way guidance, maybe as you move up the ranks you realize how much you really don't need them.
i want to see human mistakes in the heat of battle.
- "sorry Pucci, i didn't know he was so close to me on G.C."

On an up and down vote- i say ban them across the board.

[AbeNP]

Whaaaaaaaaaaa? Salonistas rallying against tekmology? never.....

(though I totally agree, ban em)

[Chance Legstrong]

Whaaaaaaaaaaa? Salonistas rallying against tekmology? never.....

in this case technology is not advancing the sport. it is in fact neutering it.

[Brandon White]

Gilbert supports radio ban. He's fcuking awesome and just got awesomer.

Gilbert Supports Radio Ban | Cyclingnews.com

Edit: Is anyone else sick of JB's whining about radio ban? For some reason, I follow him on twitter and it is constant complaining about it. Time to unfollow.

[SteveP]

cause jb has always had a big juiced team to catch the guys up there actually racing.
ok, 35 mph the next 1 1/2 hrs . we should catch the fdj/cofidis/euskatel guys with 3k to go.

perfect. thank you.

[suspectdevice]

I'd rather see more officials with radios. It makes riding in the team car a lot more fun.

[WayneJ]

Racers should be fit and have tactical senses.
Man, bike and the surface being ridden - that's it.
I hate predictable outcomes and robot-like performances.

[gjuffer]

Gilbert supports radio ban. He's fcuking awesome and just got awesomer . . .

If race radios were banned Gilbert would win twice as much.

[spicoli]

So funny, Gilbert is exactly who came to my mind when I thought of a type of rider who would kill it without radios! A guy like Jens V. would do really well without them too. IMO radio's negate the most athletic hardworking type of rider in the game. The rouleur/all rounder is an athlete on the bike. Sprinters and climbers have too much to thank Mom and Dad for. They all work there ass off but radio's really work against all rounders the most.

If race radios were banned Gilbert would win twice as much.

[Tom Kellogg]

I don't race with one so no one else should. I lose all by myself, don't need no stinkin' coach to tell me how to lose. If my legs and brain aren't good enough to win, I don't win.

[Rico]

I've heard a stage race is like a chess match. I've never seen a chess master hooked up to someone/computer calling the moves. So as a professional rider you should have the gray matter to figure out the match in order to win. If you're directed by the radio you're just a piece used by the team car and they are running the race without even suffering.