Online coverage of Tour to offer new perspective

As the Amgen Tour of California rolls down the coast, it will feature advanced technology that allows cycling fans to follow the race online in new ways.

The five lead riders in the General Classification, plus one rider from the CSC and T-Mobile cycling teams, will carry small electronic tags that track their progress during the race. Cameras at the lead, peloton and rear of the race will provide live streaming video. Audio commentary will also be available.

The new tracking system can be displayed online as a representational view of the course and rider positions as they move using Google Map. Fans with Google Earth software can zoom or change perspective to see one rider or the entire field in a “fly through” view.

A separate, more information-laden view with Yahoo! Maps is also available, displaying rider speed and location, course elevation, rider information, live video and audio commentary, among other menu-driven features. Fans can follow specific riders, the peloton or the entire field from end to end.

The online coverage takes advantage of new wireless GPS mobile tracking system technology from Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) that follows multiple objects in near real time. CSC is the technology provider for the Tour of California as well as for the Tour de France, where this new technology will be used for the first time in July.

To follow the race online, go to latimes.com/tourofcalifornia.

-- Matt Moody