Philip Island Grand Prix Helmet Cam

May 11, 2009

This past weekend Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club (CCCC) hosted the Philip Island Grand Prix road race. As usual they did an outstanding job and I thank each and every one of their volunteers as well as CycleSport Victoria (CSV) for putting on this great event.

Nearly 200 riders took part in the Open Category and 120 finished the 130km race (was supposed to be 110km but who’s counting…). 49 teams fought for valuable KOM and Sprint points to win the overall teams classification.

I had asked for permission from the CCCC to use my helmet cam to record this event and they had no problem with it. They can see how this helps promote their event as well as the sport of cycling. I’ve had overwhelming positive feedback from cyclists all over the world about the helmet cam vids and dozens of them have even told me they’ve made the step to bike racing after seeing these videos. I can’t say how much that pleases me. This is what it’s all about!

Unfortunately the CycleSport Victoria took a difference stance and made the decision to interpret and enforce a UCI rule that states the following:

1.3.004 No technical innovation regarding anything used, worn or carried by any rider or other license holder during a race (bicycles, equipment mounted on them, accessories, helmets, clothing, means of communication, etc.) may be used until approved by the UCI Executive Committee.

I can understand their position on this so I complied and didn’t wear the helmet cam. Fortunately another rider who wasn’t aware of this ruling managed to capture the whole race on his helmet cam. You beauty! Thanks for sending this in. CSV fined him $100 for the infraction but the website RaceDayRush has generously offered to help pay the fine. A 2hr version of the helmet cam video will available at their website in the coming days. Feel free to check it out and create a free account with them to get access to all their helmet cam videos. Since winter is creeping up on us here in Australia I’ll surely be watching their library of high quality race videos on the trainer during those cold wet mornings.

Check out the short version of the race video below. As usual, CCCC posted the results pronto and they give a great write-up of how the race panned out here. Some outstanding pictures by photographer Arnaud Domange shown there as well. I was working with Arnaud to use some of his photos in the video to help with the commentary of the race story however we couldn’t come to a financial agreement in time. My fault for asking so late. Hopefully in the future.

My apologies for the darkness of the video. The camera must have been pointed a bit too much upwards and was catching too much light. It seems to have thrown off the exposure and the riders turned out very dark.

If you haven’t seen them already, there’s a few more helmet cam videos posted here.

tags: helmet cam, Philip Island, racing

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Anonymous

1.3.004 No technical innovation regarding anything used, worn or carried by any rider or other license holder during a race (bicycles, equipment mounted on them, accessories, helmets, clothing, means of communication, etc.) may be used until approved by the UCI Executive Committee.

That “technology” is too new to be covered by their hundred year old rules..
Anonymous

1.3.004 No technical innovation regarding anything used, worn or carried by any rider or other license holder during a race (bicycles, equipment mounted on them, accessories, helmets, clothing, means of communication, etc.) may be used until approved by the UCI Executive Committee.

That “technology” is too new to be covered by their hundred year old rules..
Leigh

Great Vid again mate. They never look as hard or as fast as being there though. Will definately check out the full vid from RaceDayRush
Leigh

Great Vid again mate. They never look as hard or as fast as being there though. Will definately check out the full vid from RaceDayRush
Jon

Would have been wise of the CSV to have worked WITH you to try to come up with a solution to using the video camera instead of AGAINST you in the effort to promote our great sport.

Always easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission. CSV would have never allowed this and it doesn’t surprise me that they fined you.
Jon

Would have been wise of the CSV to have worked WITH you to try to come up with a solution to using the video camera instead of AGAINST you in the effort to promote our great sport.

Always easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission. CSV would have never allowed this and it doesn’t surprise me that they fined you.
Geoff

Sweet as boys, I made it on flim. BTW this means I was up the back!
http://notexceptional.com/ Juzzy

Heh, used to ride with Leigh back in Shepp as a kid – didn’t know he was still kicking around! :)

Some really, really cool cam footage here too! He mounts it under the stem – might be a sneakier place to put it!? :)
Geoff

Sweet as boys, I made it on flim. BTW this means I was up the back!
http://notexceptional.com Juzzy

Heh, used to ride with Leigh back in Shepp as a kid – didn’t know he was still kicking around! :)

Some really, really cool cam footage here too! He mounts it under the stem – might be a sneakier place to put it!? :)
Seb

Funny
Seb

Funny
Tommy P

Well done Team O2 Networks. Strong!
Tommy P

Well done Team O2 Networks. Strong!
Chris

This could be CSV’s chance to show that they are a progressive organization and that they embrace new types of media and technology to promote cycling. Could have been great publicity for them
Chris

This could be CSV’s chance to show that they are a progressive organization and that they embrace new types of media and technology to promote cycling. Could have been great publicity for them
DB

The CSV needs to comply with the rules that the UCI sets out for them. The helmet camera is considered to be unsafe because it could fall and glass could shatter. Also, it compromises the safety of the helmet
DB

The CSV needs to comply with the rules that the UCI sets out for them. The helmet camera is considered to be unsafe because it could fall and glass could shatter. Also, it compromises the safety of the helmet
Anonymous

Glass? What about sunglasses and eye glasses. More of a chance of them falling off.

Comprimises the safety of the helmet? The CSV uses number stickers on the helmets all the time. This “modification of the helmet” rule is broken by the CSV all the time.
Anonymous

Glass? What about sunglasses and eye glasses. More of a chance of them falling off.

Comprimises the safety of the helmet? The CSV uses number stickers on the helmets all the time. This “modification of the helmet” rule is broken by the CSV all the time.
Anonymous

Arnaud Domange wanted you to pay to use his photos in your video? “couldn’t come to a financial agreement”?

He should have been happy to promote his photos and business on this site. I’ve never heard of him before now. Gracious of you to even mention him.
Anonymous

Arnaud Domange wanted you to pay to use his photos in your video? “couldn’t come to a financial agreement”?

He should have been happy to promote his photos and business on this site. I’ve never heard of him before now. Gracious of you to even mention him.
Joe Blow

Excellent photos by Arnaud. I don’t blame him. It costs him money to do what he does and what’s the sense of him giving his photos away for free for someone else to benefit off of?
Joe Blow

Excellent photos by Arnaud. I don’t blame him. It costs him money to do what he does and what’s the sense of him giving his photos away for free for someone else to benefit off of?
anonymous

Imaginary transcript from the wrongful death action taken by Mrs Wallace against CSV (and their insurers) following Wade’s untimely death in a race accident.
Mrs Wallace’s Lawyer: “So, Mr CSV Commisairre, did you permit the deceased to participate in the race in full knowledge that he was in breach of race regulations?”
CSV: “Yes”.
CSV owes a duty of care to participants to ensure their safety – in part this is achieved by ensuring racers follow rules. CSV breached its duty by letting Wade race in contravention of the rules.
So Mrs Wallace is successful against CSV and their insurers and receives a judgement of one million dollars damages.
We could then go on the case between CSV and their insurers where the insurance company refuses to pay out the one million dollars to Mrs Wallace because CSV knowingly allowed a rider to race in contravention of a safety rule.
So Mrs Wallace receives less than a million because CSV can’t find the money. CSV is bankrupt. No more racing for anyone.
CSV had no choice but to refuse permission to breach what is notionally a law that promotes race safety.
The relevance or otherwise of the rule itself is a separate issue. But once its there, no way could they waive it without putting themselves at risk of being outside their insurance coverage.
anonymous

Imaginary transcript from the wrongful death action taken by Mrs Wallace against CSV (and their insurers) following Wade’s untimely death in a race accident.
Mrs Wallace’s Lawyer: “So, Mr CSV Commisairre, did you permit the deceased to participate in the race in full knowledge that he was in breach of race regulations?”
CSV: “Yes”.
CSV owes a duty of care to participants to ensure their safety – in part this is achieved by ensuring racers follow rules. CSV breached its duty by letting Wade race in contravention of the rules.
So Mrs Wallace is successful against CSV and their insurers and receives a judgement of one million dollars damages.
We could then go on the case between CSV and their insurers where the insurance company refuses to pay out the one million dollars to Mrs Wallace because CSV knowingly allowed a rider to race in contravention of a safety rule.
So Mrs Wallace receives less than a million because CSV can’t find the money. CSV is bankrupt. No more racing for anyone.
CSV had no choice but to refuse permission to breach what is notionally a law that promotes race safety.
The relevance or otherwise of the rule itself is a separate issue. But once its there, no way could they waive it without putting themselves at risk of being outside their insurance coverage.
http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/ cyclingtips

I forgot to mention how rippin’ fast the women’s race was going. We were up in the break trying to get past them and could barely get by! Well done ladies!
http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com cyclingtips

I forgot to mention how rippin’ fast the women’s race was going. We were up in the break trying to get past them and could barely get by! Well done ladies!
sm

Nice work cyclingtips great coverage,

I’m a bit more concerned about the other 100 other riders / bike in the bunch running me over in an off rather than the helmet cam.
I say the camera is welcome anytime.
sm

Nice work cyclingtips great coverage,

I’m a bit more concerned about the other 100 other riders / bike in the bunch running me over in an off rather than the helmet cam.
I say the camera is welcome anytime.
Che

Hey Wade, love your work! Anthony (Seipolt) and I were talking about this over the weekend, following his attendance at the CSV Committee meeting. I think it’s an extremely backwards-looking stance and fails to grasp the nature of what racing (TdF, pro cyclocross, amateur cycling, V8 Super Cars, Formula 1, etc) means for both competitors and spectators – entertainment! Yes, we race because we love the speed and the thrill and the danger, but for those watching, it is entertainment! And it’s something that the likes of the Amaury understands, but the UCI and CSV don’t. Keep up the fight dude! -Ern.
Che

Hey Wade, love your work! Anthony (Seipolt) and I were talking about this over the weekend, following his attendance at the CSV Committee meeting. I think it’s an extremely backwards-looking stance and fails to grasp the nature of what racing (TdF, pro cyclocross, amateur cycling, V8 Super Cars, Formula 1, etc) means for both competitors and spectators – entertainment! Yes, we race because we love the speed and the thrill and the danger, but for those watching, it is entertainment! And it’s something that the likes of the Amaury understands, but the UCI and CSV don’t. Keep up the fight dude! -Ern.
http://bikecoach.com.au/ Steffo

Kudos Wade. Love your work. I’ll give SBS a call and see if they can send you over to the tour.
http://bikecoach.com.au Steffo

Kudos Wade. Love your work. I’ll give SBS a call and see if they can send you over to the tour.
Penny

Great video sample on the website. You guys were going so fast.
I’ve just checked the CSV website, and noticed that they’ve posted rules about helmet/bike cams in races on their front page now. Link is here: http://www.vic.cycling.org.au/default.asp?Page=33804
Penny

Great video sample on the website. You guys were going so fast.
I’ve just checked the CSV website, and noticed that they’ve posted rules about helmet/bike cams in races on their front page now. Link is here: http://www.vic.cycling.org.au/default.asp?Page=33804
http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2009/11/random-thursday-thoughts/ helmet cams, cyclocross, fyxomatosis

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