The UCI has said the two helicopters that were to be used
to broadcast live TV pictures of the elite men’s race at the World
Championships were grounded today.
And while two airplanes were also available, one of them suffered mechanical failure and so it could not be used.
The second plane was used but had to refuel, resulting in
an interruption to live TV pictures for a prolonged period.
That plane’s refueling was complicated as a closer
airfield where it intended to land was unavailable, meaning it had to fly back
to Leeds where the race started and refuel there.
There were also problems when the racing reached the circuit in Harrogate with the TV motos being unable to drive around the circuit because of the conditions.
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However, the problems with the TV helicopters and planes caused most of the interruption, though live pictures came back with 75km to go; Mads Pedersen (Denmark) going on to win the race.
The UCI issued a press release as the TV interruption was coming to an end explaining what had happened.
“This year we’ve enhanced the live broadcast set-up with two planes and two helicopters
in order to carry the signal from the
motorbike,” it said.
“Due to
particularly bad weather conditions the
two helicopters haven’t yet received the authorization to fly by local
civil aviation authorities.
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“The
backup plane has to be used as the other one has to face a mechanical issue
earlier this morning.
“This
plane had to refuel earlier today in Leeds and is now back on the course
allowing moto camera images for the last and decisive part of the race.”
During the time the live broadcast was lost, Eurosport was screening some footage from the fixed cameras at the final kilometre of the circuit.
And to pass the
time it even broadcast highlights of the men’s TT during the week, when the
dramatic road race was unfolding.
Earlier in the day the route of the race from Leeds into
Harrogate was shortened, with climbs lost, due to forecast heavy rain.
As a result, an additional two circuits of the lap in
Harrogate were added, meaning the race would take in nine laps rather than
seven.
Overall, the weather-related changes shortened the
distance of the race by 23.5km to 261km.
The U23 men’s race was already shortened at the Worlds due to bad weather and the U23 TT riders were hit by some flooding.
The elite women’s TT was started later than planned because there was so much water on the course.
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