Team radios should be aired on TV, says Brailsford
Team Sky boss says that allowing TV audiences to hear communications between the teams and their riders would enhance the viewing experience and understanding of cycling
Cycling should take a leaf out of Formula One's book and allow TV viewers to listen to radio messages between teams and riders, says Sir Dave Brailsford.
Brailsford told the BBC that he believes the move would help cycling fans to further understand the intricacies of the sport and the tactics that the team's employ mid-race.
"It would be super interesting to hear what the sporting directors are saying to the riders," the former British Cycling director said.
"It's a complex sport. You've got all the sporting directors in the cars trying to play out hundreds of scenarios, like 'who is going to chase?'
"They all wait and watch the gap get to nine minutes, 10 minutes, and then suddenly you think, 'hold on, I might be throwing the Giro away here.'
"I think if everybody knew what each team was trying to do it would be fascinating and add a whole new level of intrigue and understanding."
>>> The best on-bike footage from week one of the Giro d’Italia (video)
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
UCI president Brian Cookson is another high-profile figure to have previously suggested cycling needs to revolutionise the way it is broadcast. And while the former British Cycling president didn't quite put forward the same notion as Brailsford, he said it was important to find new ways to show cycling on television.
“One of the biggest challenges – not just for cycling, but for many sports – is the need to evolve while staying true to the essence of your sport,” Cookson said in 2014.
“In cycling we will look at technology such as cameras on bikes and in team cars to see how they can be used to enhance the viewer experience,”
Team Sky are already part of professional team union Velon, a group which aims to help innovate the way cycling is broadcast and consumed by fans. The 11-member organisation has already struck its first deal, arranging with Giro d'Italia organisers RCS for the use of on-bike camera footage throughout the Grand Tour.
However it has still not been possible to show that footage live in road racing, with TV broadcasters only able to show live on-bike footage in track racing so far.
Inteview with Team Sky rider, Geraint Thomas
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
Is Mathieu van der Poel winning races “in zone 2” helping or hindering cyclo-cross?
The Dutch world champion has turned up off-road now, and immediately won twice. Is this fun?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock joined by brother Joe at Q36.5 Pro Cycling as team finalised for 2025
Pidcock's coach Kurt Bogaerts also confirmed as team's head of technical performance
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock to remain 'part of the Pinarello family' after joining Q36.5 Pro Cycling
British star will continue to ride Pinarello bikes after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers hire new head of engineering as reshuffle continues
Former British Cycling lead, Dr Billy Fitton, is the latest of a handful of new appointments within the British squad
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Overachiever: Cameron Wurf competed in the Amstel Gold, La Flèche Wallonne and an Ironman, all in just eight days
Cameron Wurf is both a member of Team Ineos Grenadiers and an accomplished professional long course triathlete who has racked up numerous World Tour and Ironman race finishes across his career.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
‘I feel lucky to be alive’: Magnus Sheffield speaks for the first time about Gino Mäder’s fatal crash
The American describes what he saw at the Tour de Suisse, eight months after the tragedy
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock: Tour of Britain route 'not really ideal for me'
Brit says he wants to win home stage race, even if the course plays in Wout van Aert's favour
By Tom Davidson Published
-
This 39-year-old INEOS Grenadiers rider moonlights as a pro triathlete
A Jack of all trades, Cameron Wurf is a domestique for INEOS Grenadiers professional cycling team, but doubles as a successful pro triathlete.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers' only female rider Pauline Ferrand-Prévot eyes road return
Mountain bike legend could be back in the peloton next year
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Egan Bernal has nose operation to help 'air passage' ahead of 2023
Procedure not thought to be connected to the life-threatening crash which affected Colombian last year
By Adam Becket Published