The women’s Prudential RideLondon Grand Prix will be the first ever event to showcase live on-bike footage to TV viewers.
The race, in St James Park tomorrow, will be shown on BBC2 and the coverage will include live footage direct from the bikes of former winners Laura Trott (Matrix Vulpine) and Giorgia Bronzini (Wiggle Honda) as well as Emma Johansson (Orica AIS).
Past Winners Prepare to Line Up for Prudential RideLondon Grand Prix
Footage will come from super lightweight cameras and will provide high definition pictures via radio frequency nodes at points around the tight 1.3 mile circuit.
It’s not the first time riders have provided us with on-bike footage, but it is the first time it’s been shown live.
What to See and Do at the Prudential RideLondon Festival of Cycling
Director at Century TV, Rohan Browning said: “Cycling is entering a new era in broadcasting. Lots of people have wanted to provide on-bike live coverage for years. We’ve seen it successfully used in post-production as well as recently in the velodrome, but everyone wants to see it used live on the roads. The technology has always been a limiting factor, as well as battery life and weight.
“Now, thanks to Videohouse-Eurolinx/BRF [the Belgian facilities provider’s who developed the tec], the technology is in place which allows us to bring these new techniques into cycling for the first time. It’s a brilliant development and hopefully will provide fantastic live pictures.”
Video: On the Bike Action with La Course Champion Marianne Vos
The three day Festival of Cycling in London has won eleven awards to date, including our own TWC Event of the Year gong and the 2014 European Sport Tourism Event of the Year honour.
Organisers at the constantly evolving event are proud to host yet about ‘first’, Director Hugh Brashersaid: “This announcement demonstrates that the Prudential RideLondon festival of cycling continues to break new ground, not only in cycling but in broadcasting too.”
The women’s race takes place at 5pm – after the Brompton World Champs final and before youth races.
There’s loads to see and do at the Festival of Cycling – check out our guide here.
If you are riding, take a look at our guide to fueling a 100 mile ride – and enjoy!
