Geolocation and cameras to be used at road world championships

The International Cycling Union (UCI) is continuing its season long technological experimentation with on-bike geolocation and cameras to be tested at its world championships in Ponferrada, Spain.

For the first time ever at a UCI Road World Championships, selected bikes and riders will be equipped with real time location technology and on-board cameras, showing action from inside the peloton during the 8-day event, the world governing body announced.

"The UCI is committed to bringing technology and innovation to the broadcast and fan experience of our sport," said UCI President Brian Cookson.

"This year, as a first, we have supported bringing cameras into the peloton, and the results have thrilled fans. I am delighted we will be bringing this for the first time into the World Championships.

"I am also very pleased that the UCI is stepping in to support the trials of new innovations that will benefit cycling as a whole, and real-time rider identification and location is an area which has great potential to bring races to life for spectators."

The aim is to locate each rider at each second, bringing information about the race to life. The UCI will partner with Euromedia for this trial in the 2014 edition of the UCI Road World Championships.

The test will be experienced on the Women Junior (26 September) and the Men Junior (27 September) events, and the knowledge gained will be shared among the sport's stakeholders.

Action video cameras will also be mounted on a number of bikes in this year's event, following the success of other tests conducted at other UCI road races this year.

Shimano is partnering to provide the equipment during the UCI Team Time Trial training, Women Elite (27 September) and Men Elite (28 September).

Post production clips will be shared with teams, athletes, National Federations and media representatives.

The first five days of the UCI Road World Championships will be live-streamed on the Cycling Central website, while the final two days will be broadcast on SBS ONE and streamed online.