"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - ESPN needs to rent a helicopter...

for the Tour of California. That would help alot and provide panoramic view of the coastline, yes?

It would help just as a cut away from the palsey inflicted motocycle cameraman. The guy on the back of the bike who's been on the front of the race has been just awful. That guy can't hold his shot for anything.

It would help just as a cut away from the palsey inflicted motocycle cameraman. The guy on the back of the bike who's been on the front of the race has been just awful. That guy can't hold his shot for anything.

So true. My wife got motion sickness the other day thanks to that cameraman.

What I don't understand is why they didn't switch cameramen. The guy on stage two and three on the second bike was much better. But the lead bike cameraman just sucks. If I were directing this show I'd yanked him after stage two.

It's not a man with a camera on the back of the motorcycle. It's a drunk monkey.

You know I was sort of wondering if it was a remotely operated camera on the lead bike in stage 1. The motion was so jerky and stop and start it sort of made sense. It would have the riders going down a straight but then when they went around a corner the camera would stay in position and film the houses and stuff...not even trying to stay on the riders. Could they have a fixed/remote camera on one of the bikes?

Oh and I agree it sucks. :D

For the record (I'm sure you know this), it's not ESPN that's producing the program. THey're just selling the time to air it.
The production is done by a freelancers hired by AEG to put together the package each day.
These descents have been insane (I've been in the caravan every day. Yesterday, I was on Johan's bumper), so I'll allow the camera guys a little latitude in holding on for dear life. While there are numerous challenges to producing the program, I have to admit I'm underwhelmed by the programs.

The rumor for today's stage is that "Yes, we'll have a helicopter for Route 1 along the coast."
Let's wait and see.

For the record (I'm sure you know this), it's not ESPN that's producing the program. THey're just selling the time to air it.
The production is done by a freelancers hired by AEG to put together the package each day.
These descents have been insane (I've been in the caravan every day. Yesterday, I was on Johan's bumper), so I'll allow the camera guys a little latitude in holding on for dear life. While there are numerous challenges to producing the program, I have to admit I'm underwhelmed by the programs.

The rumor for today's stage is that "Yes, we'll have a helicopter for Route 1 along the coast."
Let's wait and see.


Hey I'll cut any of these guys slack on a twisty mountain road. But this guy was all over the place on a straight run into town. The thing I don't get is that the camera operator on bike two was rock solid and they still didn't switch them. I've been in this industry for a long time, even started my career as an ENG camaraman, and on just about any shoot I've ever been on this guy wouldn't have been asked to come back on day two. He just can't do it.

Stage 4 deserves a heli cam for sure. The visuals are too stunning not to get those shots.

The only advertising i see is for Amgen and the cities that are
hosting the stages, so that may be a factor. OTOH, when
someone famous is getting married they never have a problem
finding helicopeters etc..