» The HdF pilots fly in restricted airspace over cities, nuclear power plants, government buildings, as well as over 30 nature areas «
VIEWS FROM THE SKY Hélicoptères de France operated seven helicopters for TV filming and logistics support
placing it between the presenters,” says Fiedrich. “Major milestones are pinpointed, race routes traced and stats, such as the distances between each stage, visualised in real time. “Sometimes, the most striking enhancements are also the simplest,” he continues. “In one broadcast from another customer, a life-sized bicycle appeared in AR to help presenters break down a cyclist’s movement and speed with precision. Being able to see these elements, rather than simply hear about them, draws audiences into the decisive moments that shape the race. Even through a screen, AR-powered storytelling tools from Vizrt have helped fans feel closer to their favourite athletes and gain a deeper, more exhilarating understanding of the sport.” Femmes of the future This year also saw record viewership for the Tour de France Femmes, the women’s edition of the iconic race. The edition ran from 26 July through to 3 August, with French cyclist Pauline Ferrand-Prévot winning the event. This feat made her the first French winner of either the men’s or women’s competition since Bernard Hinault in 1985. This year’s Tour de France Femmes also marked its longest edition since the race was brought back in 2022, taking place across nine stages. The Femmes Tour drew a remarkable collective TV audience
ALL ANGLES Footage is captured from helicopters, vans, motorbikes and drones
clear that the race remains as much about innovation as about tradition. What began in 1903 with Maurice Garin and a simple green armband has since grown into a truly global spectacle, blending raw athleticism with cutting-edge technology. Helicopters sweep across mountain peaks to capture every twist of the peloton, drones and augmented reality deepen fan engagement and record-breaking audiences continue to prove the Tour’s enduring place in the live sports calendar.
of 25.7 million across the linear TV and digital platforms of public service broadcaster France Télévisions. This statistic was up significantly on the figure from the 2024 edition, which stood at 18.3 million. The per-stage viewership was 2.7 million on average, which was at least 500,000 higher than every edition since the re-establishment of the Femmes race in 2022. A sporting staple As the curtain falls on the 2025 edition of the Tour de France, it’s
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