The Rise of Television Strategy

As television coverage expanded, race tactics evolved. Directors discovered that breakaways made better television than bunch sprints. Riders realized that solo attacks, even if doomed, guaranteed television exposure valuable to sponsors. The medium began shaping the sport, encouraging aggressive racing that provided visual drama.

The Cameras Change Everything

Team managers started considering television coverage in tactical decisions. Attacks were launched at photogenic locations—mountain summits, historic monuments, beautiful valleys—where television would linger. Sponsors demanded their riders appear on screen, leading to sometimes tactically dubious moves designed primarily for exposure.

This television influence wasn't entirely negative. The need for visual drama discouraged negative racing where teams simply controlled tempo. Riders who might have been content to follow wheels now attacked, knowing that television rewarded aggression with fame. The sport became more dynamic, more entertaining, even if purists grumbled about racing for cameras rather than victory.