MACHINE LEARNING COMES TO TOUR DE FRANCE
Deeper race insights on the cards for cycling fans around the world
Singapore, 29 June
2017– Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.),
organisers of the Tour de France, and Dimension Data, the Official Technology
Partner of the Tour de France, today announced the introduction of machine
learning technologies at this year’s Tour de France to give cycling fans across
the globe an unprecedented experience of this year’s event. The race begins in
Düsseldorf on Saturday and
finishes at the Champs-Élysées in Paris on 23 July.
2017– Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.),
organisers of the Tour de France, and Dimension Data, the Official Technology
Partner of the Tour de France, today announced the introduction of machine
learning technologies at this year’s Tour de France to give cycling fans across
the globe an unprecedented experience of this year’s event. The race begins in
Düsseldorf on Saturday and
finishes at the Champs-Élysées in Paris on 23 July.
This
year, Dimension Data’s data analytics platform, which was developed in partnership
with A.S.O., incorporates machine learning and complex algorithms that combine
live and historical race data to provide even deeper levels of insight as the
race unfolds. Fans will also benefit from rider profiles to understand more
about environments and circumstances in which riders perform best.
year, Dimension Data’s data analytics platform, which was developed in partnership
with A.S.O., incorporates machine learning and complex algorithms that combine
live and historical race data to provide even deeper levels of insight as the
race unfolds. Fans will also benefit from rider profiles to understand more
about environments and circumstances in which riders perform best.
As
part of a new pilot this year, A.S.O. and Dimension Data are exploring the role
of predictive analytics technologies to assess the likelihood of various race
scenarios, such as whether the peloton will catch the breakaway riders at
certain stages of the race.
part of a new pilot this year, A.S.O. and Dimension Data are exploring the role
of predictive analytics technologies to assess the likelihood of various race
scenarios, such as whether the peloton will catch the breakaway riders at
certain stages of the race.
Scott
Gibson, Dimension Data’s Group Executive – Digital Practice said, “As more
technology is introduced into sport, the viewing experience is transforming,
and its popularity increases. What’s especially exciting for us is how we’re
helping A.S.O. to attract a new generation of digitally savvy fans, and how
advanced technologies like machine learning are opening up new possibilities
for providing the insights that today’s fans demand.”
Gibson, Dimension Data’s Group Executive – Digital Practice said, “As more
technology is introduced into sport, the viewing experience is transforming,
and its popularity increases. What’s especially exciting for us is how we’re
helping A.S.O. to attract a new generation of digitally savvy fans, and how
advanced technologies like machine learning are opening up new possibilities
for providing the insights that today’s fans demand.”
At
the core of the live tracking and data analytics solution are GPS transponders
installed under the saddles of each bike. The data collected from these
transponders is combined with external data about the course gradient and
prevailing weather conditions to generate insights such as live speed and the
location of individual riders, distance between riders, and composition of
groups within the race. This year, the solution will create and analyse
over 3 billion data points during the 21 stages of the Tour, a significant
increase from last year’s 128 million data points.
the core of the live tracking and data analytics solution are GPS transponders
installed under the saddles of each bike. The data collected from these
transponders is combined with external data about the course gradient and
prevailing weather conditions to generate insights such as live speed and the
location of individual riders, distance between riders, and composition of
groups within the race. This year, the solution will create and analyse
over 3 billion data points during the 21 stages of the Tour, a significant
increase from last year’s 128 million data points.
Christian
Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France, A.S.O. said, “Today, our followers
want to be immersed in the event. They’re more digitally engaged on social
media than ever before, and want a live and compelling second-screen experience
during the Tour. Technology enables us to completely transform their experience
of the race.”
Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France, A.S.O. said, “Today, our followers
want to be immersed in the event. They’re more digitally engaged on social
media than ever before, and want a live and compelling second-screen experience
during the Tour. Technology enables us to completely transform their experience
of the race.”
The
enhanced Tour de France solution uses a fully cloud-based, virtualised data
centre which provides scale, and means fewer people are required on the ground
to enable the solution. The cloud also provides geographic flexibility because
it can be managed from anywhere in the world. This year, Dimension Data’s
technical teams work together across four continents via hyperconnected mobile
collaboration hubs equipped with the latest digital and virtual workplace
technologies.
enhanced Tour de France solution uses a fully cloud-based, virtualised data
centre which provides scale, and means fewer people are required on the ground
to enable the solution. The cloud also provides geographic flexibility because
it can be managed from anywhere in the world. This year, Dimension Data’s
technical teams work together across four continents via hyperconnected mobile
collaboration hubs equipped with the latest digital and virtual workplace
technologies.
Some
Tour de France highlights include:
Tour de France highlights include:
- 198 riders in 22 teams will generate over 150 million
geospatial and environmental data readings along the 3,540km route. - The Tour de France live-tracking website, racecenter.letour.fr, which supported an
average of 2,000 page requests per second in 2016, has been enhanced to
support 25,000 page requests per second this year. - In 2016 there were 6,100 hours of TV broadcasts in 190
countries across 100 channels globally. Thanks to A.S.O., the number of TV
broadcast hours will increase from 80 in 2016 to 105 this year and the
race will be broadcast starting from the first kilometre of every stage. - Cybersecurity is a top priority for the Tour de
France. During the 2016 race, Dimension Data’s cloud-based security system
flagged 1,409,769 suspicious access attempts which were blocked.
Visit
Dimension Data’s Tour de France microsite
Dimension Data’s Tour de France microsite
View video
Dimension
Data’s Tour de France newsroom
Data’s Tour de France newsroom
Follow
the progress of the race with live tracking on racecenter.letour.fr
the progress of the race with live tracking on racecenter.letour.fr
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