London, UK – Shortly before the start of the Tour de Suisse, Velon – the company owned by 11 UCI WorldTour teams – launched their new app for Apple iOS* devices to bring rider data from the event to life, in real time. In addition, rider data will be shown live in the TV feed. Graphics outlining key indicators like position, speed, heart rate, cadence, power and acceleration will show rider performance as never before. The Tour de Suisse, the nine-stage international event, takes to the road tomorrow in Baar, Switzerland.
This exciting new offering is a result of Velon’s 10-year partnership with the international sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media, announced in February. Every day some of the riders will be equipped with specially designed transmission units, which will relay the data to the viewers' screens (TV, application and through Velon’s website velon.cc) in real time. In addition, GoPro cameras attached to the bike will enhance the highlight footage compiled from the nine stages. The production operation is supported by Infront’s 100% subsidiary HBS, who acted as project manager on this part of the partnership.
App developed by Omnigon
Velon developed the new app together with Infront’s subsidiary Omnigon, the leading digital technology company in sport. Fans will now have access to the most incredible detail and statistics from riders competing at the highest level, starting at the Tour de Suisse.
The free app from Velon will show the power, speed, heart rate, cadence and acceleration from selected pro riders. By giving deeper performance insights it will open up race visibility by giving fans the whole picture - direct to their mobile devices.
Using the app, fans can compare riders head to head and watch their data live along iconic climbs or sprint finishes. Fans will also get access to behind the scenes videos and highlights, plus full rider and team profiles.
Attracting new audience into cycling
Velon CEO Graham Bartlett said “This is an exciting period for Velon, we aim to captivate cycling fans and attract new audiences into the world of cycling by sharing this data to broaden knowledge and help make the world of professional cycling more accessible.”
Stephan Herth, Executive Director Summer Sports at Infront, added: “With this first-of-its-kind insight that fans gain into the key parameters of cycling, we are bringing Velon and the Tour de Suisse ahead of industry development. With this strong positioning of cycling in the digital sphere, we increase fan appeal and engagement, as well as the marketing proposition.”
Tour De Suisse Race Director Olivier Senn said: “This insight will enable viewers to experience the tremendous effort of the professional riders at close quarter. The new app from Velon gives fans a chance to get closer to riders than ever before, we are delighted that such exciting technology is being showcased at the Tour de Suisse”.
Riders at the Tour de Suisse have been carefully selected to provide data, over time, fans will be able to compare many more of their favourite riders opening up even more stats, showing just how powerful riders can be in the pursuit of a win.
The app is available to download for free https://appsto.re/gb/5qGFbb.i
The Tour de Suisse presented by Vaudoise is in its 80th year and takes place from 11 to 19 June 2017 with nine stages spread over the beautiful Swiss mountains. It is organised and marketed by InfrontRingier Sports & Entertainment Switzerland, a JV subsidiary of the Infront Group. It will be broadcasted into over 120 territories worldwide.
About Velon
Velon is a business venture formed by pro-cycling teams in 2014 to foster long term stability for its members and the sport. It is wholly owned and controlled equally by the 11 shareholding teams. Headquartered in the UK, the commercial organisation was founded by BMC Racing Team, Etixx - Quick-Step, Lampre-Merida, Lotto-Soudal, Orica GreenEDGE, Cannondale Pro Cycling Team, Team Giant-Alpecin, Team LottoNL - Jumbo Pro Cycling Team, Team Sky, Tinkoff, Trek-Segafredo.
Visit www.velon.cc for more information.
About the Tour de Suisse
Now in its 80th year, the Tour de Suisse is a nine day WorldTour cycling stage race that takes place in early-mid June and provides a showcase ahead of the Tour de France in July of the form of the world’s best riders. As UCI WorldTour ranked event, the race sees all 18 WorldTour teams, including the 11 Velon teams, racing alongside a selection of wildcard entries. For the 2016 anniversary edition of the race, riders will cover a total of 1,220.1km and 19,622m of climbing over a course that will suit the mountain specialists.
Visit www.tourdesuisse.ch/ for more information.
About Infront Sports & Media
Infront Sports & Media is the most respected sports marketing company in the world, managing a comprehensive portfolio of top properties. Led by President & CEO Philippe Blatter, Infront covers all aspects of successful sporting events – including distribution of media rights, sponsorship, media production and event operation – and has won a reputation for its high standards of delivery. As the number one player in winter sport and with a leading role in football, summer and endurance sports, Infront enjoys long-lasting partnerships with 170 rights-holders and hundreds of sponsors and media companies. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Infront has a team of more than 900 experienced staff working from over 35 offices across more than 15 countries, delivering 4,100 event days of top class sport around the world every year. In November 2015, Infront was integrated into Wanda Sports Holding, part of the Chinese conglomerate the Dalian Wanda Group.
