- Redesigned Custom Communication System Extends Team's Competitive Edge at Cycling's Most Prestigious Race -
SUNNYVALE, Calif. - July 14, 2006 - AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced it is providing the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team's directors and riders with a more advanced, reliable and secure communication system in use throughout the twenty stage Tour de France.
In its capacity as the Official Technology Partner of the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team, AMD collaborated with additional technology solution providers to deliver a new team communications system that delivers improved range, clarity, reliability and ruggedness. These new custom designed systems - using Alinco DJ C5 components - enable the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team's riders and directors to communicate more effectively than the off-the-shelf solutions used by most other professional cycling teams competing in the Tour de France.
"Communication is critical in every stage of the Tour, and our team depends upon continuous contact through this new communications system to make sure the team knows what's ahead on the various race routes," said Johan Bruyneel, director, Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team. "Staying ahead of the competition in the world's most demanding cycling race requires pushing every resource we have to its limit. AMD provided communications systems that will be an invaluable asset as we strive to maintain our leadership position."
The team had been using their existing communications system for several years, and had built up a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the units. The communicators were small, light and rugged with good range performance. However, there were some recurring problems resulting in either communications failure to individual riders, or occasionally complete communications loss. In a sport where every second matters, a loss of communications has the potential to be costly to the team during critical moments in a race.
"We came to AMD with a challenge," says Bart Knaggs, President of the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team. "We wanted flawless execution in the communication between Johan and the team at the Tour de France. That meant better clarity of voice, substantially improved range, and increased reliability throughout the race. When communication is better, team performance is better. AMD went to work right away to support our common goal - winning the Tour de France."
The new systems feature a number of custom-designed enhancements, including a push-to-talk switch that can be inserted in the rider's gloves or clothing and contains a strong return spring to ensure easy release after message transmission. Other improvements include a completely shielded keypad to prevent accidental entries, a newly designed microphone to reduce wind noise and facilitate clear voice pick-up and a protected headset connector retained by a carbon-fiber latch to avoid accidental removal of the cable resulting in loss of all contact with the rest of the team - a major problem in former models.
"At AMD, we always look for innovative ways to improve existing technology and help our partners achieve a competitive edge," said Morris Denton, vice president of global corporate marketing, AMD. "Many of the new system's improvements, like the new carbon-fiber latch, were inspired by AMD's experience in Formula One racing. We were able to draw upon our work in the unconstrained world of Formula One to facilitate a sort of 'technology transfer' between the sports of cycling and F1 racing. It's this sort of unique approach to innovative solutions that we hope will help propel the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team to yet another Tour de France victory."
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