Le Locle, 28 September 2006. TISSOT, which has been partnering the International Cycling Union for many years, created a sensation by successfully introducing the use of transponders in the Time Trials in the 2006 World Championships that took place in Salzburg, Austria on September 20-24. For the first time at this level of competition, each cyclist taking part in the Time Trials was equipped with a walnut-sized transponder fixed to the front wheel axle of their bike. Each of these transponders represents 30 grams of high technology, and 1/1000^th of a second precision.

No less than five measurement points, including three shown live on TV, were spread along the various routes taken by the world’s finest cyclists. Each point featured a reception antenna stuck to the ground and a totally independent back-up system. Each time a competitor went past, each transponder’s code was detected, recognised and sent directly by modem to the TISSOT Timing processing centre located on the finishing line. Each competitor’s timing data was thus broadcast live on TV and transmitted to journalists as well as to the numerous international commentators.

Nor were the many spectators on the spot neglected, since they were able to view all this information on the giant display screen installed by TISSOT Timing in the finishing area. It is worth noting that out of all the races that took place during this Austrian week, no less than 1,500 times were transmitted by the transponders for the Time Trials alone, and that TISSOT Timing distributed a total of 850 transponders over the full four days of racing,

This system will now be used in other international competitions, and in particular at the 15^th Asian Games in Doha (Qatar) this December, since the Swatch Group company based in Le Locle is also official timekeeper for this event. Finally, one may recall that Tissot’s commitment to sport is a longstanding tradition.  For several decades, countless disciplines, high-level sports champions and international events have been flying the brand colours.