Data is at the heart of modern-day cycling and is crucial to the success of professional riders and their teams.

Only by giving access to this depth of data can viewers truly understand the race, the riders and the stories on the road as they unfold in front of them.

While television remains the most popular way to watch major sporting events, second-screen experiences enabled through apps have become increasingly important.

Passionate sports fans love to have all the stats and data at their fingertips enabling them to choose who they watch, how they watch it, and do their own 'analysis' of the race alongside the expert on-screen commentary.

But such a huge amount of data can be unwieldy. What was needed was a way of presenting it in a way that was enjoyable and empowering and would supplement the on-screen experience, not detract.

A live interactive map allowed users to track the peloton every pedal of the race during Eurosport's summer of cycling.

It was an industry first with a data-driven app incorporating GPS tracking and biometric information on each rider.

App users were able to choose how they followed the race or individual riders, including their position, speed, altitude, power, cadence and heart rate, in real-time.

The tools were built into Eurosport's existing app and mobile products, and into on-air graphics to enhance live TV coverage.

To deliver a premium user experience, CA's App Experience Analytics provided Eurosport with real-user insights to optimise app design, navigation and flow and delivered key analytics to improve performance.

The Eurosport app also included digital and short-form cycling content produced by Eurosport, including previews, reviews and analysis using slow motion and zoom footage. It was downloadable for free on all Apple, Android and Windows devices.

The partnership between Eurosport and CA Technologies gave its fans the bespoke, interactive experience they deserved. 94% of the target audience say it got them closer to the action.

The app exceeded expectations with more than 1 million live map launches, 25% above target, contributing to a historic season for Eurosport, with double-digit percentage increases in audiences for key races.

The partnership transformed the scale and depth of Eurosport's cycling coverage with 360-degree on-demand information and analysis.

For CA Technologies, it saw a wholesale shift in awareness and perception, positioning it as fresh and innovative and embracing of both cycling and the sport's technology. It recorded target audience increases of 54% in awareness, 69% in consideration and 99% positivity rating.

It is a measure of the project's success that it is impossible to imagine Eurosport's cycling coverage returning without it.

Source: CA ad effectiveness survey 2017 – Dres Consulting