[sachkris]

Nice write-up. Instead of these photo-finish cameras, would a piezoelectric sensor strip on the road (plus perhaps a regular camera) be a better solution to judge the winner in such cases?

[Luc]

But van Aert's front wheel was not even touching the road as he crossed the finish line...

[Workaccount2]

I was thinking about this problem too, and realized that the photo-finish also provides placings for all the other contestants. Some other type of sensor might be able to more accurately place who was first, but could struggle greatly differentiating the pack of contestants behind them.

[martyvis]

That would only work if the wheels were exactly the same diameter (assuming that the actual line is where the most forward part of the wheel crosses )

[mod]

No, because as I understand it we don't judge the winner from the base of the wheel, but rather the front of it.