French Television Director of Sports Daniel Bilalian is campaigning for an end to radios worn by riders in the peloton. Bilalian said that the radios, which allow communication between riders and their team managers, take away the spirit of the race and kill the sense of initiative and honor that has made cycling glorious. The argument for and against radios will move next to the pages of French sports daily newspaper L'Equipe, which is hosting the debate on its pages.
The daily paper surveyed riders and found champions like Belgian Eddy Merckx in support of a ban on radios. It also found detractors, such as those concerned about the safety and security of riders on the open roads. They argue that the radios are important for notifying riders of imminent dangers.
