Onboard cameras will debut at UCI track world championships

At the track world championships, from Feb. 18-22 in Saint- Quentin-en-Yvelines, France, onboard cameras will be on the track. The UCI has announced that in some events, riders will have cameras attached to their bikes, under their saddles, filming the action behind. The video will be broadcast on the screen inside in the National Velodrome and by broadcasters.

“The UCI wishes to increase cycling’s appeal among the fans,” said Brian Cookson, UCI president. “We already introduced cameras and geo-localization at the UCI road world championships in Ponferrada, and have also carried out camera tests at the UCI cyclocross World Cup. Now we will offer the public at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and television and Internet viewers throughout the world the chance to experience track racing live from the inside for the first time. This is important and exciting progress for the track and also for cycling as a whole, which will benefit from these technological innovations.”

The use of onboard cameras has been expanding during the past year. In 2014, Team Giant-Shimano (now Giant-Alpecin) released footage from the final kilometres of sprint stages. The use and promotion of onboard cameras is a central issue for Velon, a business co-operative announced this past November featuring 11 WorldTour teams. The UCI’s camera initiative at the track world championships comes via a partnership with Infront/HBS. The UCI plans to bring cameras to other events in the track cycling calendar.