Drone footage could become part of coverage at the Tour de France in 2024 after a successful pilot during the team time trial at last week’s Paris-Nice.
Tour host broadcaster France Télévisions told French media that “nothing has been decided but we’re thinking about it”, with the remote-controlled drone images of riders reaching speeds up to 60 kph in the team time trial clearly impressing those in charge.
It was a historic moment for drone footage in road cycling, as the first time being used in a WorldTour event, with fans, teams and riders all enjoying the new angles and better perspective of speed.
“From the feedback we got, they all loved it,” said Forestier to RMC Sport. “Some teams even asked us to send them the images.”
“Cycling needs these innovative images,” agreed Julien Jurdie, head sports director at Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale. “I love it, it’s done in skiing in particular and it’s great. We must take advantage of this technology, it is essential.”
The new dimensions with the drone perspective have featured in a limited capacity at smaller races such as O Gran Camiño in 2023, where it got up close and personal with two-time Tour winner Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) in a time trial, but a little too close for the UCI’s liking at the time.
“The UCI is concerned about the use of drones at O Gran Camiño and is in contact with the organiser to understand the organiser’s risk assessment in this particular case,” said Auréile Perrod, a member of the UCI’s communications department.
Now just over a year on, with better safety measures and tighter restrictions established for the 2024 season, it appears those in charge of race directing are moving in favour of drone usage at the biggest races.
“We’re thinking about it. Nothing has been decided but we’re thinking about it,” said Forestier. “There are two time trial stages at the Tour this year, and then the stage around Troyes with the gravel paths which is going to be spectacular.
“We’re going to get around to it very quickly with the UCI, ASO and the teams, and ask ourselves if it’s worth it. It seems to be the case, so we’re going to think about how to be able to do that safely.”
The remote-controlled aircraft with cameras capture part of the footage at cyclocross and mountain bike races throughout the year such as at the Benidorm CX World Cup where Wout van Aert powered away solo to victory or the Hoogerheide World Championships.
However, despite…
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