Mud! Bar-cam footage from Hoogerheide Men's Race

by Douglas Ansel on Jan 23, 2012 10:07 AM EST

He's at it again - Christian Heule of Cannnondale-Cyclocrossworld.com (@Racing_H on twitter) used a GoPro camera on one of his bikes at the Hoogerheide round of the World Cup series. Want to see what the course looks like at speed? A bike handoff in the pits? More? Well, this is your lucky day indeed! We have two videos for a glorious 20 minutes of footage to watch today.

Unfortunately, the UCI has taken a dour outlook on the use of such video cameras in races. While they did not relegate Heule, he is likely to receive a fine for his actions. Personally, I think this is a big shame - videos like this are a fantastic way to deepen the fan base and involve it more in the sport. As proof of this, on twitter there has been discussion of setting up a PayPal donation site to cover fees incurred for this infraction and if it occurs again. As another bit of supporting evidence, bar-cam footage of Jeremey Powers' pre-ride Saturday has over 2,500 views already. Just think how great those numbers would be if it were Sven Nys or Kevin Pauwels instead. Fan support has been augmented by a backlash by several notable journalists - including Lyne from PodiumInsight.com - against the UCI's twitter account. Hopefully they will realize the benefits of enabling such footage outweigh whatever costs they believe camera use in races generates.

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What could possibly be the reason why these cameras aren't allowed?

Privacy laws? Injuring colleagues? Shocking images of men’s bottoms?

by blackswangreen on Jan 23, 2012 11:14 AM EST reply actions

It's the UCI, who knows?

I’m hoping to look into it later today to see if there is a specific rule against it

I NEED MOAR MUD

by Douglas Ansel on Jan 23, 2012 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

This is just a WAG but

Could it possibly be a problem with televising rights?? The don’t want video going out there for free when they have someone paying good money for the video rights.

"the outfit is somewhat ruined by the condom on top of her head though" -tgsgirl

by VirtKitty on Jan 23, 2012 11:37 AM EST up reply actions

In that case shouldn't they object to all the fans filming on their phones as well?

It’s not like a handlebar cam is a substitute for actually watching the race…but then this IS the UCI…. :-/

It's pronounced "Int-CHOW-stie"

by Albertina on Jan 23, 2012 12:01 PM EST up reply actions

Technically yes.

If somebody whom was really good with tools now relativity affordable and easy to attain started showing up to events and sending live streams to online pirates, like most of us, they’d get shut down super fast.

If the UCI didn’t shut it down, they’d probably get sued by EuroSport, or whatever company is giving them a huge chunk of cash for breech of contract; or something like that.

What would Deming do? (+8:00 GMT)

by Ryan_Liles on Jan 24, 2012 1:39 AM EST up reply actions

Oh yes sure, point taken. But a handlebar cam is not 'race coverage'.

It's pronounced "Int-CHOW-stie"

by Albertina on Jan 24, 2012 6:20 AM EST up reply actions

Yes, I am sure it is that.

UCI’s problem is that they are not making any money out of it.

by papyrus on Jan 23, 2012 12:09 PM EST up reply actions

uci=bunch of old farts

by geert on Jan 23, 2012 11:27 AM EST reply actions

Ridiculous. UCI=total killjoys for no good reason whatsoever.

Bravo Christian I say!

It's pronounced "Int-CHOW-stie"

by Albertina on Jan 23, 2012 11:32 AM EST reply actions

sounds like he was having shifting problems . . .

by R Mc on Jan 23, 2012 12:29 PM EST reply actions

That's what I thought as well.

I clicked into this thread after watching the first video expecting to see all the SRAM haters to piping in.

by swells on Jan 23, 2012 2:57 PM EST up reply actions

That's what you get for choosing SRAM

"Beer helps." -- Ant1.

by tedvdw on Jan 23, 2012 4:20 PM EST up reply actions

aaaaand

there it is.

Seriously, if that truly is shifting issues we’re hearing, that has nothing to do with a particular brand. That’s rear derailleur adjustment 101.

by swells on Jan 23, 2012 6:06 PM EST up reply actions

Sounds to me like the rear limit screw was all that was out, or maybe b-screw adjustment off

Only made clunky noise when he was likely in his largest cog

Then again, that could have been front derailleur rub because it’s more likely that could be heard by the camera versus something all the way from the rear wheel (given we can’t hear his labored breathing)

I NEED MOAR MUD

by Douglas Ansel on Jan 23, 2012 8:57 PM EST up reply actions

I believed there was a longer statement from UCI regarding bike-mounted cameras

But that must have something I dreamt, the only thing I could find was two tweets from UCI:

The use of bike-mounted cameras is subject to authorization by the UCI. In this case (ATOC), no authorization has been asked for.

link

Under conditions, bike-mounted cameras can be allowed by the UCI.

link

That was regarding GoPro at the Tour of California, and they were later allowed to put cameras on bikes. Not sure if there are sports where athletes can put stuff on their equipment without having permission.

Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...

by TheFigurehead on Jan 23, 2012 12:38 PM EST reply actions