Tour de France 

Creating the world’s largest connected stadium

As their Official Technology Partner, we work with A.S.O. to continually explore the potential that technology offers to the Tour de France. This forms part of the long-term innovation roadmap that enables them to continually push the boundaries of what is possible.

At the heart of this is the real-time IoT and analytics solution that enables them to create a rich, digital experience for fans. This experience is delivered across broadcasts, social media, and dedicated applications reaching fans on their platform of choice. Embracing a co-innovation approach, we’ve been able to help broadcasters incorporate live data into their offerings, delivering greater insights into the race for viewers. Digital-first fans can follow the action on Race Center, social media, and through an augmented reality app.

Leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning we’ve created the #NTTPredictor that enhances our data-driven storytelling approach providing fans with additional insights into the possible outcome of the race. This is also used to augment the Tour’s fantasy league, providing an additional platform for A.S.O. to engage with fans.

In 2020 we moved our data and analytics solution to a new, more flexible platform, allowing the team behind it to take advantage of the latest advances in platform technology. This allowed us to create a hybrid solution that uses the most appropriate infrastructure and cloud platforms for each element including physical, virtual, containerized, and serverless technologies. This stood our partnership in good stead when we evolved the platform to support the first Virtual Tour de France when the race was delayed because of COVID-19.

The impact of COVID-19 meant that supporting the Tour needed an innovative approach with the entire race supported via a team distributed across five continents.

In 2021 we’re leveraging this foundation to enable a new level of fan engagement while enabling A.S.O. to take advantage of the latest developments to optimize race operations.

Over three weeks we’re turning the roads of France into the world’s largest connected stadium, creating a revolutionary fan experience for those lining the route as well as fans across the world. The augmented reality application provides fans with a real-time view of the progress of the race on their mobile device integrating a 3D map with data insights and the ability to track individual riders in real-time.

At the Arrival and Departure villages, the NTT Media Wall provides an integrated big screen experience. leveraging our data analytics solution fans can follow the race live, viewing live footage accompanied by data-driven insights, creating a compelling live experience.

Next-generation race operations

Alongside fan-focused innovations for 2021, we’ve created a digital twin of the Tour de France to enable A.S.O. to digitally transform race operations. Leveraging a digital fabric of sensors, edge computing devices, networking technologies, and applications, the digital twin is an accurate model of the entire 3,400km of the race route as well as all other areas associated with the race. This allows the race organizers to plan their operations on an accurate model, mapping specific areas and key locations. On race day they can track the race and all race vehicles in real-time. This enables them to direct race operations with access to real-time data, providing them with full visibility of the entire race.

As the Tour passes through some of the most remote and rugged terrain in France, a challenge that they faced was providing race officials accompanying the race with access to real-time data and broadcast footage. Leveraging edge computing we’re able to provide critical information and visuals to the race vehicles, enabling them to have full visibility of the race even in areas where traditional networks can’t provide coverage.

This is all enabled by our Managed Services, ensuring that all aspects of the race are seamlessly delivered, with our Managed Security Services protecting the entire solution, with advanced threat detection and management of the cybersecurity infrastructure.

A global support team

In 2020 we supported the entire Tour de France virtually with a team distributed across five continents. In 2021 we’re doing this again, ensuring that the infrastructure delivering the Tour de France solution is ready to deliver critical data to the world. Through our suite of collaboration solutions, we’re able to connect our teams with A.S.O. personnel wherever they are, delivering an exceptional client experience.