Restrict radios, make Tour harder: LeMond

Triple Tour de France champion Greg LeMond has called for the dumping of team radios to make the great race a bit more interesting.

Greg LeMond

Triple Tour de France champion Greg LeMond has called for the dumping of team radios. (AAP)

Three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond believes the use of team radios should be restricted to make the three-week race more unpredictable.

"The Tour is less complex now because of radios," the American said in an interview with broadcaster Eurosport for whom he will again be chief analyst this year.

"Riders are told everything. Maybe they could have one-way radios to call in mechanical problems or for more water but when you basically have the team tactician in the car calling all the shots it takes away from the race."

Team orders rule these days making epic duels like that between team mates LeMond and French great Bernard Hinault on Alpe d'huez in 1986, rare.

LeMond thinks that is partly down to technology.

"Last year was boring because Team Sky controlled it," he said.

"Riders have become robotic. Racing is not just physical it's also tactical and psychological.

"But now the team just calls up on the radio and says 'kid this is what's happening, get up there and ride. I think without that it would be less predictable. The fans would love it."

LeMond's expertise has become an essential ingredient of the Tour for millions of armchair fans who will this year, for the first time, be able to watch every minute of every stage thanks to Eurosport's enhanced coverage.

Until now viewers worldwide could not watch the whole stage.


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Source: AAP


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