Meet The Big Data Platform Powering This Years’ Tour De France

This year’s Tour de France will feature more in-depth analysis and interaction than ever before, thanks to a new big data and analytics platform.

Fans and media around the world will now be able to track real-time information on all 198 riders thanks to Dimension Data’s digital delivery platform.

The company has revealed a tie-up with the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) and the 22 teams in this year’s race to provide highly accurate data using live trackers under the saddle of each rider (pictured below).

Maillot jaune

Information on the speed at which each cyclist is riding, exactly where he’s positioned in the race in relation to other cyclists, and the distance between each rider will all be available to track live via a beta live tracking website.

Fans can also select their favourite rider to follow, monitor the race on their phone or tablet (through a responsive design beta website) while they watch it live on the television, and gain access to additional data insights.

Overall, Dimension Data estimates that the riders will generate 42,000 geospatial points and 75 million GPS readings, which  will be processed in the company’s cloud platform across five continents consuming over 350 000 000 cpu cycles per second.

“This top notch technological development will enable a better analysis of the race, highlight the race tactics, and also show how essential in this sport is each rider’s role within his team,” said Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme.

“It will now be possible to understand how to prepare for a sprint finish in the last few kilometres of a stage, feel the wind’s impact on the rider’s speed, and so much more. Our efforts combined with those of Dimension Data will permanently change the way we follow cycling and the Tour de France.”

The platform was successfully tested during the Critérium du Dauphiné race last month, which is traditionally the key warm-up event for the Tour, with Dimension Data saying that it opened up data which just had not been available in the past.

“The technology will allow cycling fans to follow the race in ways they’ve never been able to before,” said Dimension Data’s executive chairman, Jeremy Ord.

“Until now it was difficult to understand what was happening outside of what could be shown on the live television coverage. The ability to follow riders, get accurate information about which riders are in a group, and see real time speed are just some of the innovations that will be realised through this solution.  During the duration of the three week race, we’ll be rolling out a range of new capabilities, including a beta live tracking website.”

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