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Video: On board Jens Voigt’s bike at the Tour of California

Shimano puts cameras on popular German rider’s bike as TV trial continues

Our story last week about the UCI’s authorisation of a trial of on-bike video at the Tour of California, with video of John Degenkolb going for the sprint in Stage 1, got a lot of attention – and here’s another one featuring a German rider, crowd favourite Jens Voigt.

The popular Trek Factory Racing rider is midway through what will be his final season in the peloton, and here Shimano Sport Cameras capture the action front and rear from his bike.

Although the trial is in its infancy, we’re expecting to see a lot more footage like this, in line with UCI President Brian Cookson’s pledge to overhaul TV coverage of professional cycling, including putting cameras on bikes and in team cars to bring fans closer than ever to the action.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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21 comments

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chrisl | 9 years ago
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I was thinking bum-mounted cameras, but yes, head would work too...

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cinelli Dave | 9 years ago
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Fit the rear and front facing cameras on the riders helmets then that would sort the rocking motion.

Definitely the future though!

 41

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botoxking | 9 years ago
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I think Chris Froome had Prodigy Breathe playing down the race radio when he was on his awesome ascent of Ventoux last summer.

Also, this footage is SO GOOD! Did you see the onbike footage from the first stage sprint as well - awesome!

This is definitely a step in the right direction for the TV coverage!

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arfa | 9 years ago
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If this is the way the UCI are going then its a +1 from me.
More on board real time images and telemetry will bring the peloton alive for viewers and expand interest in the sport

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lookmanohands | 9 years ago
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Come on uci, this is awesome.

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jamtartman | 9 years ago
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Yes to ambient noise. No to motion sickness.

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Quince | 9 years ago
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"BOOM! CRASH! SMASH! POW! DRUMS! BIKES! GUITARS! ZOOOOM!"

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farrell | 9 years ago
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I've often wondered if any cyclists have ever had music played over their race radios?

I'd probably ask for some seriously loud Sepultura to kick in at a bunch sprint or use Pantera's 'Fucking Hostile' for a breakaway, getting the DS to time the "1, 2, 3, 4!" on the intro and use that as the signal to to launch.

I'm sure there are flaws with this idea in the real world, but are there any rules or regulations against it being done?

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SteppenHerring replied to farrell | 9 years ago
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farrell wrote:

I've often wondered if any cyclists have ever had music played over their race radios?

I'd probably ask for some seriously loud Sepultura to kick in at a bunch sprint or use Pantera's 'Fucking Hostile' for a breakaway, getting the DS to time the "1, 2, 3, 4!" on the intro and use that as the signal to to launch.

I'm sure there are flaws with this idea in the real world, but are there any rules or regulations against it being done?

I know you're not allowed to use headphones on CTT events.

I reckon in the sprint then being able to hear is even more important than it is in traffic. Otherwise I would have Motorslug by Wiseblood.

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earth replied to farrell | 9 years ago
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farrell wrote:

I've often wondered if any cyclists have ever had music played over their race radios?

I'd probably ask for some seriously loud Sepultura to kick in at a bunch sprint or use Pantera's 'Fucking Hostile' for a breakaway, getting the DS to time the "1, 2, 3, 4!" on the intro and use that as the signal to to launch.

I'm sure there are flaws with this idea in the real world, but are there any rules or regulations against it being done?

On a stage of the 2012 TdF there seemed to be a team car in front of the peloton blasting out Pixies Debaser.

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hampstead_bandit | 9 years ago
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more of this footage please!

very exciting to watch as it really gets you into the heart of the action

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Bob's Bikes | 9 years ago
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Loved the Vid. Can anyone tell me the music/band used?

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mrchrispy | 9 years ago
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Agreed, not reLly an issue for fat old blokes (like myself) but noticed it in the last couple of vids. A bit of post processing should sort it out.

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jamtartman | 9 years ago
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They need a technical solution to reduce the rock and roll when they are sprinting.

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usedtobefaster replied to jamtartman | 9 years ago
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jamtartman wrote:

They need a technical solution to reduce the rock and roll when they are sprinting.

No they don't, that's what happens when you're sprinting. Keep it real don't sanitise the footage just to make it look nice.

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farrell replied to jamtartman | 9 years ago
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jamtartman wrote:

They need a technical solution to reduce the rock and roll when they are sprinting.

Unless you mean the music, I disagree.

I prefer seeing the madness of the sprints, I'd also prefer to hear the shouts and screams of the riders.

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Alexander Sallons replied to farrell | 9 years ago
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Quote:

Unless you mean the music, I disagree.

They should have the music as an option, like if you're watching and you just want to push the awesome music button to take it that much further.

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adrianoconnor replied to farrell | 9 years ago
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farrell wrote:

I prefer seeing the madness of the sprints, I'd also prefer to hear the shouts and screams of the riders.

But that crazy side-to-side motion isn't at all what it's like when you're actually riding -- as you probably well know -- you throw the bike side to side from the bars, but your head stays fairly still. I think they should try and find a way to make it less extreme.

Would also love to see longer sections of races without the music and constant chopping/changing of the video. It's so impressive to watch the pros riding toward the end of a race in a big group going full tilt. It's insane how fast they can ride the last 5 miles after already riding 150+.

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mrchrispy | 9 years ago
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Jens is feaking awesome.

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mrchrispy | 9 years ago
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Jens is feaking awesome.

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STATO | 9 years ago
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Flippin ace, Jens is the man.

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