dimension data and aso unveil next generation digital technologies

For further information
Hilary King, Global PR Manager
Dimension Data
tel: +2782 414 9623
email: [email protected]
Amaury Bodin
A.S.O press officer
tel: +33 (0)6 07 02 42 17
Email: [email protected]
DIMENSION DATA AND A.S.O. UNVEIL NEXT GENERATION DIGITAL
TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS FOR TOUR DE FRANCE
Dimension Data delivers immersive end-user experience with
significant enhancements to big data cycling analytics platform
Paris, France – 29 June 2016 – Dimension Data and Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.) today
announced significant enhancements to the big data cycling analytics platform that will deliver real-time
information to viewers, commentators and teams at the 2016 Tour de France.
Headlining the innovations is Race Center, a web-based application hosted on Dimension Data’s cloud
platform and developed in partnership with A.S.O. that combines live race data, video, photographs,
social media feeds, and race commentary which combines with a new live tracking website to give
viewers an immersive digital experience that goes beyond the television coverage of the race.
Race Center will become A.S.O.’s digital hub of the Tour de France going forward. And the Live Tracking
website is testament to the evolution of Dimension Data’s real-time big data collection, analytics and
digital platforms over the past 12 months.
Viewers will be able to get far richer and more accurate information from each of the 198 riders in
22 teams, including speed, distance between riders, composition of the race pelotons, wind speed and
direction, as well as prevailing weather conditions.
Many of the new technologies that were trialled at last year’s race are now production-ready, and feature
significant improvements across the board. This year the telemetry sensors installed under each rider’s
seat that are responsible for transmitting live data boast a tenfold increase in transmission range. This
means far fewer dropouts or ‘gaps’ in the data, resulting in more seamless communication and continuity
throughout the race.
Dimension Data’s big data truck has also been upgraded and enlarged to accommodate the various
television graphics, race coordination, data capture and analytics teams responsible for delivering the
complete end-to-end data solution at the 2016 Tour de France. This is one of the biggest changes from
last year, where each team worked separately, and continues the theme of collaboration and data
integration made possible by the advancements in the technologies on display.
Adam Foster, Dimension Data’s Group Executive, Sports Practice said, “The enhancements to this
year’s solutions means we can tell richer and more enhanced stories as they happen, giving viewers,
the media, cycling fans and race commentators deeper insights into some aspects of the sport that
weren’t available until now. This year, we’re working with a much broader palette, which means access
to more meaningful race data, race routes, riders and current weather conditions. What’s exciting this
year is the ability to deliver all this information to A.S.O. through a unified digital platform. This makes
the quality of the data even more valuable for viewer engagement, and speaks directly to a generation
of younger viewers who rely on new technologies such as social media and live video to engage with
their world.”
Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France, A.S.O said the unprecedented growth in different
social channels such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and live video at last year’s race demanded
these technologies be embraced and enhanced for modern viewers.
“The Tour de France is a flagship event in a modern world, and it’s only natural that we give our viewers
access to as much quality content, entertainment and analysis as possible through the media they use
every day,” said Prudhomme. “Together with Dimension Data we’ve been working on new ways to
appeal to our billions of viewers, and we’re excited to showcase the result of our efforts through Race
Center.”
“I believe the appeal of having access to multiple real-time video, social media and live race information
from one responsive and intuitive interface will greatly enhance the quality of coverage of the Tour de
France, and become an essential companion to the largest live televised event in the world.”
Visit Dimension Data’s Tour de France microsite
Watch the video, download the infographic
Follow us on @letourdata for live race data updates
-ENDSAbout Dimension Data
Dimension Data uses the power of technology to help organisations achieve great things in the digital
era. As a member of the NTT Group, we accelerate our clients’ ambitions through digital infrastructure,
hybrid cloud, workspaces for tomorrow, and cybersecurity. With a turnover of USD 7.5 billion, offices in
58 countries, and 31,000 employees, we deliver wherever our clients are, at every stage of their
technology journey. We’re proud to be the Official Technology Partner of Amaury Sport Organisation,
organiser of the Tour de France, and the title partner of the cycling team, Team Dimension Data for
Qhubeka. Go to dimensiondata.com
About Amaury Sport Organisation
Amaury Sport Organisation is a company that owns, designs and organises top international sporting
events. Specialised in the ‘non-stadia’ events, it has in-house knowledge of professions linked to
organisation, media and sales of sports events. A.S.O. organises 270 days of competition per year, with
70 events in more than 20 countries. http://www.aso.fr/fr/homepage.html.
Present in five major sports including cycling with Le Tour de France, motor sports with Le Dakar, golf
with the Open de France, sailing with Le Tour de France à la Voile and mass events with the Schneider
Electric Marathon de Paris. Amaury Sport Organisation is a subsidiary of the Amaury Group, media
and sport group that owns the newspapers L'Equipe.