Two-way radio technology has become a major part of sports, but some governing bodies are looking to ban their use. This is most notable in professional cycling where a number of teams have threatened to boycott this falls Tour of Beijing cycling race unless the International Cycling Union (UCI) withdraws its ban on the radios.
Race organizers have tried to institute bans in major classics, such as last year’s Tour de France, but Beijing could be the real showdown as it is the only event in professional cycling that the UCI actually governs and promotes directly. As expected the teams are not taking this lightly. The professional cycling association, known as AIGCP (Association International des Groupes Cyclistes Professionels) could pull out of the Chinese event.
“Cycling is a team sport and, as such, communication is key for the athletes and the coaches,” said the AIGCP in a statement. “We continue to hope – and push – for an amicable resolution to this issue. However, if the use of radios in all professional cycling events is not permitted by May 1, all of the teams have signed an accord that simply states that we will not participate in the Tour of Beijing.”
In the 2009 Tour de France riders also protested by staging a “go-slow” when there were two-stages that banned the use of race radios. Riders claim that the radios help alert riders to mass falls and other dangerous conditions on the course.
However, the UCI has already banned radio communications beginning last season in lower-level races.