"Crash alerts for race officials through comprehensive rider tracking to be implemented in Tour de Suisse"
Freshened Up: GPS Trackers Ride in to Enhance Safety at the Tour de Suisse
Get ready for GPS trackers on all bikes and vehicles at this month's Tour de Suisse, a move aimed at boosting rider safety following some high-profile accidents.
The memory of Gino Mäder's crash at the Tour de Suisse in 2023 and Muriel Furrer's mishap during the junior women's road race at the World Championships in Zürich last September still lingers. Now, a new layer of precaution is being added to the race. Olivier Senn, deputy manager of the local organizing committee of the Zürich Worlds and the director of the Tour de Suisse, is spearheading this initiative.
The tracking technology will be first employed in the Women's WorldTour race, starting next Thursday, 12th June, followed by the men's race on Sunday, 15th June. Tages-Anzeiger confirmed the news on Wednesday.
The security center, which also has access to television pictures and weather updates, will receive the tracker information. If a tracker stops moving for 30 seconds, experiences sudden speed changes, or departs from the road, an alarm goes off. While timing tracking has been implemented before, this new system is different.
"While we can't entirely prevent crashes with these measures, we're leaving no stone unturned to ensure teams have all necessary information, and potential consequences are minimized," Senn explained. "We're ready to intervene instantly if required."
It's optional for teams to participate, though Senn hopes for universal adoption. The cost of this safety measure is estimated to be CHF50,000 (£44,941 / $60,965).
"I hope every team will get on board," Senn stated. "Each bike will be fitted with a compact tracker activated when specific anomalies occur, such as if the bike stands still for 30 seconds, strays from the route, or shows sudden speed changes. Alerts trigger immediate action."
Additionally, the convoy will feature trackers too, with each radio equipped with one. The safety team can monitor the entire situation from the Safety Command Centre and act promptly if needed.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Stay tuned for the latest race content, interviews, features, reviews, and expert buying guides, delivered straight to your inbox!
In the race against time and potential hazards, Technology and teamwork are proving to be powerful allies in the quest for rider safety.
In the forthcoming Tour de Suisse, all bikes and vehicles will be equipped with GPS trackers to enhance rider safety, following previous accidents like Gino Mäder's crash in 2023 and Muriel Furrer's mishap in Zurich last September. Each bike will be fitted with a compact tracker that activates when specific anomalies occur, such as if the bike stands still for 30 seconds, strays from the route, or shows sudden speed changes, to minimize potential consequences and trigger immediate action.
