race coverage, is it just me?
ugo.santalucia
Posts: 27,898
I have tried to spend an hour or two watching the TdF of ITV4... I just get distracted and only seem to be able to follow the last couple of minutes of a stage...
If the racing can't change to be more addictive, is it not time the all race coverage changes to become more 21st century?
Right now there are more cameras than ever, but ultimately it is the same thing as back in the 80s, some images from the road, some from a helicopter and a couple of blokes in a studio saying some interesting and less interesting things about the race.
Riders have access to a lot of technology, why don't we? It would be addictive to see that Pinot's power output has suddenly crashed, even if that is not covered by TV... in other words something different from the usual images of lads with a colourful helmet pedalling on a bike and looking all exactly the same
If the racing can't change to be more addictive, is it not time the all race coverage changes to become more 21st century?
Right now there are more cameras than ever, but ultimately it is the same thing as back in the 80s, some images from the road, some from a helicopter and a couple of blokes in a studio saying some interesting and less interesting things about the race.
Riders have access to a lot of technology, why don't we? It would be addictive to see that Pinot's power output has suddenly crashed, even if that is not covered by TV... in other words something different from the usual images of lads with a colourful helmet pedalling on a bike and looking all exactly the same
left the forum March 2023
0
Posts
A bit like test cricket, ages where little happens and then suddenly there is something to talk about other than chateau or busses.
This years been good so far to me, not too many uneventful flat stages.
People not interested can ignore the numbers. Think the main issue will be teams not wanting to divulge the info.
Dare I say it...the riders are now more or less on a level playing field since the major drug clean up. There is no longer the possibility of some chemical fuelled excitement. Not saying that's a bad thing, but margins now are finer so planning is more meticulous. Nothing is left to chance because they all know what each other's tactics will be.
I tend to have it on in the background and dip in when it hots up, but that's same as any televised sport. Not many are full on cracking a hundred percent of the time. If you haven't been able to follow it for a while your expectations were probably too high.
What frustrates me is that the online systems for tracking riders etc, even by the same provider, are inconsistent. Two days ago the live tracker was showing Quintana behind the peloton for the last 20km of the race because he'd taken a bike swap, yet the other "live" coverage on the official website showed him in the peloton.
Clearly the advertisers at ITV4 and Eurosport are convinced there are people watching all day, so there must be enough people sufficiently satisfied at the moment.
2011 Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc (son #4s)
2013 Decathlon Triban 3 (red) (mine)
2019 Hoy Bonaly 26" Disc (son #2s)
2018 Voodoo Bizango (mine)
2018 Voodoo Maji (wife's)
Just watch the highlights then, which cuts to the chase.
Cycling blog: https://harderfasterlonger.wordpress.com/
Blog: https://supermurphtt2015.wordpress.com/
TCTP: https://supermurph.wordpress.com/
If you haven't been able to watch this edition, then I'd say the problem might be a preconception thing.
I totally disagree.
I like my screen clear, but for the distance/time graphic. I don't want something that looks like Sky Sports News. I hate the split screen, mostly pointless interviews that blights Eurosport's coverage.
Have remote a button to access technical info by all means, then it becomes a matter of individual choice.
I'm not sure about all of that, but I like the Paul Sherwen type: "This is the Chateau Fontenac. During the war, this was used by the German army as the centre for military operations in the Nouvion area."
When there's nothing much happening in the bike race, they don't have to talk much about the bike race.
The thing that would make it better - but which I accept will never happen and maybe for good reasons - is if we could get rid of the helmets and huge shades. Instead of anonymous cyclists in colourful clothing we'd get to see the individuals, facial expressions etc - I think that would make it a bit better. There probably is a case for tinkering with the race format too but that would really open a can of worms.
Yep agree with that, but like you said I don't see that changing now.
They trialled the power thing in Germany, I think it was 2005 when I saw it... it was quite cool to see Armstrong Vs Basso's power output (real or simulated I don't know) with dials on the screen.
Either way, it could simply be a function that you can add or remove with a button on your remote control.
Something needs to change in the way these things are covered and it can't just be a better anchorman with new jokes... how about splitting the screen to see more than just one race situation? Sometimes you get the breakaway finish, but you miss the action in the peloton, maybe you could follow 3-4 groups at the same time, just by pressing a button... or you can personalise your view and have some pre-recorded settings, like power of GC men + breakaway + GC battle on the screen
get over yourself man
More to the point, it would justify the current craze for gravel bikes when there is no gravel to speak of
This is a great idea. No more guessing about who's going back to team cars.
Maybe the racing would be more exciting if they weren't linked up to power meters and radio to tell them what to do