Velon announced today, it has partnered with Infront Sports & Media, to bring live performance data to the viewing experience of cycling fans.
According to Velon, the goal of the venture, is to bring fans closer to the riders, races and teams, by enhancing their experience through the use of new technologies.
Velon first debuted on-bike cameras during the 2015 season, bringing the fans closer to the rider experience. Unfortunately however, it wasn’t until the end of the season, that the footage was actually used live by broadcasters.
Velon says, fans will now be able to witness the performance data of some of their favorite riders and teams, as live performance data such as rider position, altitude, speed, acceleration, heart rate, power and cadence will be made available to race organizers for their respective broadcasters for use during live coverage in some of cycling’s biggest races.
Here are some of Velon’s goals:
“We are delighted to be partnered with Infront Sports & Media. Our partnership enables us to make a major step forward to enable data to be shared with fans and it is going to be fantastic. Just imagine how great it will be for fans to see the performance of the riders as they follow races on their screens or see them at the race. This is something that has been available in other sports and now we’re bringing it to cycling so fans can better engage with the riders and get a much better experience.”
“Our partnership enables us to make a major step forward to enable data to be shared with fans and it is going to be fantastic”, said Velon’s CEO Graham Bartlett.
“This is an incredibly exciting announcement. We have spent over a year investigating potential partners that understood our goals and could assist us in achieving them. Infront Sports & Media have a vast amount of experience in this area and will be pivotal in developing a sustainable and long term future for pro-cycling”, added Bartlett.
Here are what some of the top riders and teams are saying:
Marcel Kittel, Etixx–Quick-Step, said: “After last year’s “on-board camera” project, this deal is a further step in making cycling a sport that is increasingly accessible to fans, with wider exposure and appeal. On this matter, the use of technology is definitely a revolution in the world of cycling. With this new digital platform, fans can really take a peek inside the heart of the peloton and follow the race like never before. Our sport will become more accessible and more comprehensible. It’s a good sign also for the riders. Together with Velon we can move forward and be an important part of this process to develop our sport.”
Tom Dumoulin, Giant-Alpecin, said: “This is great news for cycling. This agreement is the next step in the modernisation of our sport. With thrilling new technologies, we will be able to engage and bring the sport even closer to the fans, which is of course really exciting!”
Diego Ulissi, Lampre-Merida, said: “When we find the possibility to make cycling a better sport, bringing it closrr to the passionate fans, by means of more solid basis for riders and teams, I feel that these are the opportunities not to be missed. I’m very happy to hear about the new step forward which Velon are taking and the incredible work the teams are doing together.”
André Greipel, Lotto-Soudal, said: “The past two years the spectators already got a taste of the possibilities of new technology and data. Also in other sports the advantage of it has been proven. As a rider I can only welcome the fact that this is a step forward and the possibilities for use are significant. Brilliant collective performances like a lead-out or individual top performances can now be shown to the spectators in another way. And the most important message: if all stakeholders in cycling focus on the general interest of the sport, the possibilities for all involved are very big.”
Simon Gerrans, Orica-GreenEDGE, said: “It’s great to see such a significant partnership being announced – it bodes really well for the development of how close we can bring the fans to the sport and for exploring an even more global audience in the best possible way.”
Fabian Cancellara, Trek-Segafredo, said: “It’s great to see the teams working together with a new partner to make the sport more sustainable for the future. It is nice to see the technology that Infront and Velon can bring to the sport to give the fans insight into what happens in the peloton.”
Chris Froome, Team Sky, said: “Velon are committed to bringing the fans the best possible race experience and the success of introducing the on-bike cameras has been great to see. This new partnership will enable the Velon teams to look at other exciting and innovative ways to open up cycling to new audiences.”
Stefano Feltrin, General Manager, Tinkoff, said: “As a team we can only applaud this partnership. It will bring the sport of cycling into the 21st century and enhance the experience fans have. I think this will lead to a stronger engagement with the audiences, and especially the young fans that represent the future of our sport. Competition among sports to grab the attention of fans is getting fiercer and such a move forward will allow cycling to become even more attractive to a technology-oriented audience.”
Shayne Bannan, Manager, Orica-GreenEDGE, said: “This is a key partnership for the future and one that helps Velon take the next important steps. Since this group has come together, it has gone from strength to strength and this is another significant indication that we are on a very promising track. Partnering up with Infront is an essential step as cycling continues to develop and all the main stakeholders work together on the most important projects.”
Marc Sergeant, Manager, Lotto-Soudal, said: “The cooperation with Infront adds value to the Velon project. Such a long-term agreement is unique and gives stability, similar to the situation of Lotto Soudal. The eleven teams that are part of Velon worked hard the past two years to show the potential of cycling to the fans. The deal with Infront brings new ideas and knowledge to the sport, and will help to achieve one of the goals of Velon – economic stability for the teams. Another objective is the involvement of cycling fans, and with the possibility to capture live data those fans will get to know the sport in a different way.”
Brent Copeland, Manager, Lampre-Merida, said: “I have always said that working as a group brings more stability which in turn makes cycling a more interesting sport, not only for the fans, but also for the investors which help make our sport move forward. Teaming up with Infront is yet again confirmation of what Velon can bring together as a group. We, at Lampre-Merida, believe this one of the many stable steps forward to help bring more resources to cycling.”
Iwan Spekenbrink, Manager, Giant Alpecin, said: “The fans are key for any sport. We share the belief that engaging the fans with exciting insights in the sport through modern technology will modernize the sport of cycling and move it forward. With the teams and riders at the centre of these developments we are convinced that it can create value and stability for all stakeholders in our sport and that it will help change the economical model and thus contribute to the realisation of the much needed stability for teams. This partnership with Infront, a leading company and growth driver in global professional sports, is a huge step forward for the sport of cycling, for teams, for riders, and for the other stakeholders in cycling and I like to thank Infront for their trust.”
Patrick Lefevere, Manager, Etixx–Quick-Step, said: “This agreement is a milestone in the world of cycling and sports in general. Through this agreement we will improve the quality of our product and become more attractive on the international sports scene while increasing our exposure. Velon is working seriously on this project and this fact is an important signal of cohesion and willingness to work together, to develop our sport and bring it to the level of other major sports that use technology as a function of their product’s growth. I am sure that this project will allow us in the near future to explore and unlock new commercial revenues streams of which all stakeholders involved will benefit.”
Jonathan Vaughters, Manager, Cannondale Pro Cycling Team, said: “I’m excited about this partnership. The more we can share with fans the better. The more professionally the sport can market itself the better. This is a nice merger of those two elements, and it forges a stronger alliance between teams. I’m looking forward to what Velon will build in the coming years.”
Velon.cc
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