Partner of RCS for Timing, Live Graphics and Data Processing for the Giro 2023

“The 2023 edition of the Giro d'Italia”, says Dario Marra Head of Graphics of EMG Italy, “started on May 6th. But Boost Graphics got on track even earlier, as early as May 4, on the occasion of the live production of the Team Presentation which took place in Pescara. Here we gave a first taste of the new look & feel of the graphics, desired by the organizer RCS, which once again has elected us as protagonists of the entire historic cycling competition for live graphics, timing and data processing services for the next two years".

A powerful Boost

Boost Graphics, the specialized graphics department of EMG Italy born from the experience of Netco Sports, boasts 21 editions of the Giro d'Italia as a service provider. From 1999 until 2001 all the graphics of the Giro were the prerogative of Netco which interfaced with the Italian Timekeepers Federation for the timing service. Since 2001 Netco has also taken over timing management and, up to and including 2019, was the official supplier of all graphics and timing, in collaboration with partner Microplus.

From 2023 Boost Graphics takes over the service for RCS in full and, in addition to timing and graphics, it carries out a real data processing service, providing all the related processing also to the various apps, portals and sites that are linked to the Giro d'Italia.

Antonello Grippo, Project Leader of graphics services related to cycling races, describes the commitment of Boost Graphics in more detail.

“There are two dedicated live graphics lines”, says Grippo, “one for the domestic signal and one for the international one for the many hours of live coverage that cover the race. Thanks to the data processing work in the live graphics, also with the support of the customer, we have implemented numerous innovations to offer the user more information and content".

Transponder and photo finish

For timekeeping two photo finishes are used on the finish line, in addition, a transponder is installed on each bicycle. This system allows a double level of control to determine the order of arrival. In addition, in some stages, an antenna is placed at least 3 km from the finish to guarantee the neutralization of the times should there be crashes in the group in the last stretch.

“This is valid,” adds Grippo, “by regulation in all stages, except the mountain ones. In all the stages, however, there are intermediate surveys valid for the points classification which assigns the Maglia Ciclamino and bonuses for the general classification".

Motorcycles and GPS

During the race, GPS signals are also used which are transmitted by the motorbikes involved in filming the athletes along the way. By processing this data, Boost is able to provide real-time, throughout the live broadcast, the km remaining to the finish line and the gaps between the groups.

This is also possible thanks to Velon, another RCS partner who conveys some advanced data to enrich the editorial product. The devices mounted on the bikes transmit very interesting data for each athlete, such as power, cadence, speed, heart rate and gradient on uphill stretches.

In addition to live graphics, this data is also made available for post-production, which creates ad hoc clips of the protagonists in the competition.

Data and software

Antonello Grippo explains: “Thanks to all these elaborations we are able to know the position in real-time of the Maglia Rosa, of the second in the standings, as well as of all the athletes in the race. Furthermore, thanks to our experience in data processing, calculations and aggregations are carried out to develop further algorithms. This allows us to offer additional information and content, both for live graphics and digital outputs. All the softwares used in the perimeter of the services are developed and owned by EMG-Boost Graphics".

The team

The team dedicated to graphics, timing and data processing services is made up of about fifteen people who add up to almost twenty during the timed stages. A large part of the crew is placed at the finishing line, while another small part presides over the intermediate goals valid for the points classification.

The fleet dedicated to graphics

The Boost mobile vehicles that EMG Italy dedicates to the Giro are five, of which three placed at the finish line and two at the intermediate stages. Upon arrival at one of them, the staff is dedicated to live graphics services (national and international), the second is dedicated to data processing services, and the third is reserved for timing.

The final comment by Dario Marra, Head of Graphics

“Following the request of the organizer RCS, Boost Graphics has introduced for this year's edition of the Giro various small editorial innovations that do not go unnoticed. This additional information, as well as the novelties related to the look and feel, will ensure the public an even more engaging product, enriching its use. The goal, also from a future perspective, is to guarantee RCS further innovations both in terms of look and content, thanks to the strong drive in terms of innovation also certified by the profound international expertise of the EMG Group".

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