Location and mapping technology are being used to plot the progress and provide up-to-date information on the 2010 Tour-de-France to the media and the public.

All of the major vehicles and motorcycles which accompany the race are equipped with tracking devices.

The position of the accompanying vehicles are calculated using a GNSS receiver; the coordinates are then broadcast to a mobile control room where huge screens show locations in real time on the stage map.

The technology allows police and jury members to monitor the race and help regulate the traffic which, hopefully, will help alleviate jams on the narrow roads involved in the race.

The information is also used to inform journalists about time differences between breakaways and the main pack.

An online feed of the race’s progress can be found on the website of German firm Ubilabs, who developed the system.