Live GPS tracking and analysis for all riders, plus GoPro cameras on certain bikes
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Dimension Data GPS transponders are mounted on every rider's bike at the 2015 Tour de France(Image credit: Courtesy Castelli)
The units are fairly sizable, with the mounts zip-tied to the saddle rails(Image credit: Courtesy Castelli)
Each riders has one unit that they will use for the duration of the race(Image credit: Courtesy Castelli)
Each rider also has a timing chip (with race number), and many have a wheel-magnet sensor, too. It adds up to a lot of plastic and electronics zip-tied on the bikes(Image credit: Courtesy Castelli)
Transponders are assigned by team and rider number(Image credit: Courtesy Castelli)
Shimano cameras are again in use at this year's Tour(Image credit: Courtesy Castelli)
GoPro and Tour organizer ASO struck a deal to put action cameras on bikes for use in ASO broadcasts and elsewhere(Image credit: Courtesy Castelli)
The the GoPro Hero4 Black will be capturing footage from inside the race this year(Image credit: Courtesy Castelli)
For the first time in Tour de France history, all riders racing in this year's event have GPS transponders on their bikes, with the live data streaming to Tour organisers thanks to technology group Dimension Data.
Each rider has a transponder mounted to his saddle rails. This will be used by every rider for every stage of the Tour.
The data collected from this will include:
the stage winner’s top speed, average speed and time per kilometre
the fastest riders up key climbs
the speed of the winner at the finish line
the top speed achieved by a rider on the day
average speed across all riders
"The technology will allow cycling fans to follow the race in ways they’ve never been able to before," Dimension Data executive chairman Jeremy Ord said in a press release. "Until now it was difficult to understand what was happening outside of what could be shown on the live television coverage. The ability to follow riders, get accurate information about which riders are in a group, and see real-time speed are just some of the innovations that will be realized through this solution."
Transponders are assigned by team and rider number: transponders are assigned by team and rider number Each rider has his own GPS transponder for the Tour
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Should a rider need to change bikes during a stage, teams are required to notify race officials, as the bikes also have a timing chip on them needed for scorekeeping. In this case, that rider's GPS transponder almost certainly won't be transferred to the space bike as time will be at a premium for the racers. But in between stages when riders change from time trial bikes to their standard race bikes to perhaps an endurance bike for stage four's cobbles, the transponders will go with them.
12 GoPro cameras will be making their rounds on various bikes throughout the race
Last year was the first time ASO allowed videocameras to be used on bikes during the race, and Shimano leapt at the opportunity with its CM-1000 videocamera used on Shimano-sponsored team bikes.
