Stage 10 of the Tour de France introduces a throw back to the old days of no race radios. Race radios allow team managers, following in team cars, to communicate with riders ahead in the peloton. The UCI, working with Tour organizers, have banned the use of these radios, in an attempt to make the race more exciting. The question on everyone’s mind, “is this a good idea?”
The PRO for banning race radios is that team managers have satellite TVs, scanners, spotters, etc.. at their disposal. The moment race radio or TV picks up on the status of riders, managers relay the information nearly instantly to their riders up the road. Managers can change team strategy in real time based on this new race information. Without this information on-the-fly strategy will come more from the rider, and less from the mobile war rooms. Smaller teams, without so much technology, will be able to react to the flow of the race on equal terms as the larger teams.
The CON of banning race radios is much stronger. First radios allow managers to relay instructions to team members anywhere on the road. They can communicate instructions to riders in breakaway 15 minutes ahead of the peloton. At the same time they can safely communicate with team riders still in the peloton. The alternative is flash backs to the mid 80s, when team cars frequently raced around the peloton to relay messages to riders. To overcome the problem of breakaway and peloton riders, teams will have more cars on the course. That means more potential for cars hitting riders.
Another reason race radios should not be banned is riders can communicate with mechanics regarding mechanical issues, like flat tires. Mechanics can prepare tools, parts, etc.. ahead of stopping for the rider. This makes repairs (considered not part of “racing”) faster and makes the race about riders, not gear.
So will the lack of race radios have an impact on stage 10’s results? Only a minor one. The stage is nearly dead flat, and the sprinters will control the race, hoping to launch toward the line in the last 1 km. What this will do is make things more tricky, and could result in more accidents and loss time due to mechanical problems.
Lance Armstong, while joking today with Frankie Andreu said,
I’m bringing my phone. I’ve got my blackberry. I’m ready.
 ”My relationship with Lance is non-existent. Even if he is a great champion, I have never had admiration for him and I never will,” – Alberto Contador (2009)
