New era for cycling?

With the recent news of Chris Froome departing the Criterium du Dauphine as a result from a crash carrying out a recon of the stage 4 time trial, this raises the question should the riders utilise platforms such as Zwift?

It was reported last week that the organisers of the Giro D'Italia were considering introducing a stage on Zwift next year. This would be a huge leap forward for the sport, one which is steeped in tradition and values, but this is a decision which has been met with a lot of backlash and doubt from the cycling community. But with this untimely departure, and may we say Tour hopes ending crash, will this change the views of the cycling community? Or do we accept that crashing is part of the sport and we lose good riders, and may we say entertainment, from these races due to silly incidents?

Zwift most notably has changed the way we train during the winter months, though personally I have not tried it myself, the reviews I have read and the conversations I have had with those who have used it have been nothing but positive. Zwift hit the headlines in April 2016 when Matthew Hayman used Zwift to train for Paris-Roubaix a race he went on to win and hailed the software for enabling him to take the victory after an elbow injury earlier in the classics made him unable to follow his traditional training and racing schedule.

What ever the outcome of a virtual Giro stage, a virtual profile or video of the stage could revolutionise the warm up procedure for all riders. Allowing them to stay safe, warm and in the power zones set by their coach. I am sure with the developments in technology within the professional field this will sure be something on the horizon for these giants of virtual reality cycling.

We never like to see riders be taken out of races through injury, and as we like to see our cycling idols as super human putting out impressive wattage numbers it can be difficult to see past that and acknowledge that they are human and broken bones or road rash still do hurt! A LOT!!

All the best to Chris Froome anyway, hope he can ride the Tour and ride his race!

Until next time, Ciao!!