Digital News South Africa

1200 Cape Epic riders live tracked on 8-day stage race

Innovative activation by Tracker is enabling 600 Cape Epic rider teams to be live tracked on the 8-day stage race from 23-30 March 2014. The technology will also allow friends and family to track the exact location of the riders at any stage.

Tracker Business deployed specially developed lightweight tracking devices that deliver live rider information, such as speed and location. Described as the first of its kind, it triggers notifications at specific geo-fenced areas on the route, to let race organisers know when riders pass a specific point. Using a secure API, the Absa Cape Epic was able to tap in to Tracker's live tracking to not only show the live tracking of any rider team anywhere along the route on their website, but also to allow the Cape Epic to post location and event updates to participants' Twitter and Facebook profiles.

1200 Cape Epic riders live tracked on 8-day stage race

Lightweight device

Weighing in at only 79 grams, the tracking device is lightweight and small, fitting neatly in the back pouch of one member of each team's jersey. Among the many features is an SOS assist button that, when activated, results in an emergency response team dispatch to the exact location of the rider in need, as well as the nearest hospital, nearest technical support, nearest sweep vehicle and shortest route to incident. The 200 EMS and logistics support vehicles will also be live-tracked, offering race organisers a live view of the vehicles relative to the race route with real-time assist notification using a customised mapping interface.

In addition, it will be providing SuperSport with map interfaces for better broadcasting and to the media centre to assist the media in knowing where to place their cameramen and photographers, depending on the location and timing of specific riders and incidents - ultimately giving producers and presenters the best angle to bring to their viewers.

1200 Cape Epic riders live tracked on 8-day stage race

A safer race

Bronwynn Tippett, chief marketing officer at Tracker says, "Showcasing our proprietary rider tracker solution in an event as well respected and challenging as this, is very exciting. Our partnership with The Absa Cape Epic offers the event organisers the ability to track logistics efforts, control situations more accurately and to maximise successful outcomes, making the race safer."

The world's premier MTB event is now in its 11th year and continues to introduce ways to improve rider experience. Jon Adams, senior commercial officer of the Absa Cape Epic, says, "We are thrilled to have Tracker on board, bringing a level of event monitoring that takes our quest for perfection with rider safety and enjoyment to the next level."

Follow on www.cape-epic.com/livetracking/

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