Not very Jens...

Hermy

I thought this guy was invincible and now it seems he's nothing without a radio.:(

Seriously though, what do ye think of radios - yay or nay?

Raam

I think they should be permitted to use them, but I am interested to see how the season goes without them.

Hermy

Raam wrote: »

I think they should be permitted to use them, but I am interested to see how the season goes without them.

Why so Raam? Is it all about tactics, making it easier for the big guns to control a race or is there some merit to Jens concerns over safety?
And what about from a spectator point of view - would it make for more interesting racing?

Raam

I find the races interesting as it stands, certainly the one day races. At the moment I don't see how they will be anymore interesting or better without radios. I guess we will find out.

Lumen

There are two completely separate issues being mixed up - safety and strategy.

The "crash ahead" safety issue could possibly be eliminated by taking the radios from the team support and giving them to the marshalls or whoever.

As for strategy, I don't really have an opinion. Without radios there would be more going back and forth to team cars. I quite like watching that stuff. Is that in itself dangerous?

Hermy

I didn't mean to confuse the issue of safety - to be honest I think it's a red herring - but I'm interested because of how opposed to the ban the riders are.

Chips Lovell

Sean Kelly came up with the best compromise I've heard. Riders should be wired up, but just to listen in to race radio. They get warned about upcoming hazards, but aren't being directed from team cars.

fat bloke

Maybe they should embrace it and broadcast the radio contacts to the public. It works in Formula One, and personally I'd be fascinated by a greater insight into the kinds of tactics used by and in teams.

goldencleric

I'm not sure if it was the course itself or the radio ban but the Geelong Worlds was one of the most animated one-days of the year

iregk

Was actually thinking exactly what Kelly said. Why not allow riders to have radios but purely for the purpose of relaying safety information. All radios should be monitored and if any tactical information is relayed a ban kicks in.

Personally I think the use of radios have pretty much wiped out the natural instincts and ability of top riders to feel the race and anticipate how it will go and when to make certain moves. This was an additional skill that some top riders had and was vitally important. Now that mental element is gone with a GO GO GO shout from the ear piece.

full gas

nay to this one , races far to controled , look at the u23 races at the worlds much better races

Jawgap

Yes - but only if the chat is broadcast to the fans / television so we can hear what's going on, even if I don't speak Italian, French, Spanish or Dutch.

petethedrummer

Jawgap wrote: »

Yes - but only if the chat is broadcast to the fans / television so we can hear what's going on, even if I don't speak Italian, French, Spanish or Dutch.

Don't worry, Sean will be able to translate.