Race Radios Banned in America, but Not at AToC, Mizzou and Philly

A huge turn of events in the US domestic cycling world today as USA Cycling has banned the use of race radios by riders in virtually every US race. Riders racing at the Amgen Tour of California, Tour of Missouri (if it happens in 2010) and Philadelphia International Championship will still be able to use radio communication, but the decision to pull in-race communication for every other race ensures some surprise outcomes at various events throught the year.

For the past several years, many in the cycling world have debated whether if race radios were eliminated, the racing would unfold differently and be more exciting. These "purists" argue that the racing would be wide open, and that breakaways would have a better chance of succeeding with a less aware main peloton. Now, with the USAC ruling, the debate will be settled once and for all.

Initial reaction from the domestic peloton has been one of a "what me worry?" approach, with riders such as Ben Jacques Maynes tweeting, "Radios: it's not like we are brainless brutes needing to be told what to do. All that "thinking for ourselves" already happens." Jacques Maynes, an established veteran rightfully seems a bit indigent about the hullabaloo surrounding the race radio debate, but perhaps he'll change his mind by the time the 2010 season is complete.

Even the savviest cyclist would have to allow that eliminating race radios will have a profound effect on racing on any given day. Yes, the riders will still receive time gap updates via the race officials, but not having race radios and the voice of their coaches in their ear will surely lead to a surprise finish or two along the road in the coming season. A mechanical by a team leader at the wrong time could have a devastating affect on a given rider, as his team could presumably not know he has been dropped from the main field until it is too late.

The decision by the USAC to ban race radios is a good one in that it will, once and for all, prove to both the riders and the fans how much of a difference race radios make. By the end of the season, it is our belief that we will remember 2010 as the year that true bike racing returned to the sport of cycling.