The UCI is going to inspect the Visma's technology and data analysis truck

Among its novelties for the Tour de France, Visma-Lease a Bike announced the incorporation of a van that, as a control center, will be used to analyze all analyzable data related to the race in order to provide directors with the best information in real time to make the best tactical decisions.

Visma-Lease a Bike's control center raises UCI's suspicion

Emulating Formula 1 teams, Visma-Lease a Bike has gone a step further in terms of data analysis to provide directors and riders with all the relevant information they can use to establish a better tactic during the race.

The new control center of Visma-Lease a Bike is placed in a van that has been equipped with the collaboration of Visma, an important software company; and the online betting company BetCit, also a sponsor of the team, whose mission is to collect all the data that may be relevant to the race: cyclists' positions, power, wind direction, weather conditions at each point of the race, radio communications, time differences, challenging points of the route, etc. Data with which to see the whole picture to make the best decisions during the race.

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A technology that immediately brings to mind the one applied in Formula 1 where teams are able to analyze in advance when the driver has to enter the pits, in which position he will come out after his stop, in which lap it will rain, or what is the best pace strategy at each moment of the competition.

However, as with every disruptive technology in cycling, the UCI has already expressed its concern about the capabilities of this control center of Visma-Lease a Bike, indicating that they will carry out verifications to ensure that the current regulations regarding data collection and transmission are respected. It is worth remembering that, for example, the collection and transmission of metabolic data such as blood glucose levels are not allowed, while others such as speed or power are public and accessible.

Richard Plugge was categorical about the legality of his control center van and stated in Dutch media that "We use publicly available information for the control room. We are by no means entering a gray area. And we are making the work of the team leaders safer. We will inform the UCI and, of course, they are more than welcome to come and take a look."