Dimension Data, the USD 7.5 billion global ICT solutions and services provider, said today that it will test new technology solutions at the Amgen Tour of California which kicks off in San Diego on Sunday, that will further accelerate the world of sport into the digital era. The Amgen Tour of California, which covers 782.7 miles and climbs 65,000 feet, is the largest and most prestigious cycling event in the U.S.

During the eight-day stage race, Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka riders will generate data including heart rate, speed, power, cadence, and position within the peloton. This data will be captured via a Dimension Data tracking solution. The raw data will be transmitted to Dimension Data’s cloud where a data analytics environment will be running.

Race data will be analysed to provide insights through speed and group comparisons across different parts of the route, and shared via social media including Twitter. Dimension Data said the solution is an example of its ability to combine Internet of Things and cloud technology with data analytics, in order to drive a revolutionary outcome in the world of professional cycling.

Last year Dimension Data and Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), which owns the Tour de France, announced that they had signed a five-year Official Technology Partner agreement that would see the two organisations work closely together to revolutionise the viewing experience of billions of cycling fans across the globe. While the Amgen Tour of California is not part of the A.S.O. roster of races, Dimension Data said that it has the A.S.O.’s support to test and innovate new technologies.

“Team Dimension Data, which became the first African team to join the UCI WorldTour last year, is the key vehicle through which we introduce and test the technology that will transform the sport of cycling – and indeed other sports. It made sense to kick off our next phase of innovation in both cycling and sport while in California,” explains Adam Foster, Dimension Data’s Sports Practice Executive.

Weather, particularly live wind speed and direction and gradient data will also be tracked for the first time, and displayed to add more dimensions to the race information.

NBC Sports will show the information during select broadcasts of the Amgen Tour of California. Team Dimension Data’s Team Principal, Doug Ryder, said: “Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka is a high performance race team that has used the power of data and analytics to optimize our riders’ performance and now through the Dimension Data cloud this can be exposed to the public in a rich way that will not only enhance the viewing experience but will also grow the fan base of cycling from which we can all benefit.”