The Tour de France is in full swing, and with it, a couple of days in the past, the time trial stage. That’s all the time an attention-grabbing alternative to take a look at which sports activities tech riders are utilizing, similar to bike computer systems, trainers, in addition to issues like laundry machines and followers (the swirling selection, not the screaming selection).
Within the above video give a walk-through of the whole crew/technical zone (known as the paddock), the place I present the way it all works. From the warm-up routines/schedules, to every step alongside the way in which from warm-up to the beginning gate (together with UCI checks, further warm-up trainers on the beginning gate, and extra). And clearly, we speak pineapples too.
Now in the case of Tour de France phases, they’re mainly in two core buckets: Common phases and Time Trial Phases. I suppose there’s now gravel phases too, however, we’ll hold issues easy. These two buckets make use of completely different bikes, and we see groups use further gear not usually used on a street stage. For instance, only a few riders will warm-up for an everyday street stage – because the warm-up is built-in to the 10KM or so of the race. Some groups will use trainers for a cool-down after a stage although.
Likewise, in the case of bikes, being completely different bikes we regularly see completely different groupset configurations used, in addition to completely different bike computer systems and bike pc mounts used. For instance, at this 12 months’s time trial stage I noticed much more groups utilizing the tiny (and previous) Garmin Edge 130 Plus than any earlier time trial phases:
For those who’re searching for marginal features on the absolute pointy finish of this TT, I suppose saving a couple of grams and doable aero hit, on this space is sensible. After all, typically it’s simply logically simpler to suit mount-wise inside the aerobar hole area.
After all, using TT bikes means this isn’t stage to take a more in-depth have a look at which bike computer systems groups are usually utilizing. And likewise, which energy meters firms are usually utilizing. A lot of the energy meter items do line-up to their crew Shimano/SRAM sponsorships, with an exception for one crew on SRM (Group UAE). There are 15 groups on Shimano, 4 groups on SRAM, and three groups cut up on FSA or SRM.
However on regular street phases, you’ll additionally be capable of typically sneak a have a look at which Shimano groups are placing energy meter pedals on there to get extra correct knowledge. Groups proceed stress Shimano on this space, and out of doors of seen races the place folks like me take photographs of bikes, many Shimano-equipped groups and riders are utilizing energy meter pedals for extra correct coaching energy knowledge.
Now, whereas some issues aren’t simply seen at TT phases – one merchandise that’s not simply seen at common phases is trainers. Thus, let’s dive into that. As all the time, all of those coach partnerships are sponsored by their respective manufacture. Notably, we noticed Elite introduced the Elite Justo 2 and Elite Avanti trainers simply two days prior at Eurobike 2024, and certain sufficient, various the Elite groups had been utilizing these throughout their warmups. Some Justo 2, some Avanti. Right here, a Justo 2:
Nonetheless, probably the most attention-grabbing Elite tidbit was most likely the one unannounced merchandise, the beneath coach with Group Decathlon:
At first look I noticed the long-available Elite Direto XR, however then I observed the “Group Version” sticker. I figured that was only a random advertising and marketing factor because it was with the crew, however after texting with Elite, seems, that’s truly a legit re-creation of the Elite Direto XR with new software program options.
Particularly, this new Elite Direto XR Group Version will function: Race Mode (10Hz knowledge switch), Shimano Di2 Coach Management, Ache Break, and Standalone Mode. It’ll be out there solely at Decathlon later this summer season. A intelligent partnership, and funky to see Elite add these options in.
Past that, we noticed Tacx package out a few of their groups with the Tacx NEO 3M, however others had been on the Tacx NEO 2T. As common, Tacx had skinned their trainers (NEO 3M models) for groups presently holding title jersey’s, just like the KOM/sprinter/and so on jerseys.
Curiously, I discovered through Instagram, that the skinning of those trainers isn’t executed straight by Tacx, however fairly a third social gathering firm, Wrap My Bike.
We see related skinning/stickers of trainers for groups by Wahoo as nicely, similar to this one for Group EF:
And additional, we see skinning of motorcycle computer systems too. You possibly can see yellow jersey holder Tadej Pogačar, along with his yellow-decal Wahoo BOLT V2:
In any occasion, right here’s the entire run-down of which groups had been utilizing which trainers. In instances the place there might have been a combination, I went with no matter coach was most prevalent. Most often although, when there was an odd-ball coach, it was often only one or two of a distinct mannequin.
Oh, and lastly, close to the beginning gate for the TT, you’ll have discovered a set of trainers for riders to journey on. It’s unclear to me if numerous groups had been leaving these there for all riders, or the way it was working. However there was mainly a Noah’s Ark of trainers down there, at the very least one, if not two from every model to make sure riders had choices in case they wished to proceed their warm-up proper all the way down to the ultimate seconds. These had been often executed on secondary street bikes the crew mechanics introduced down:
Although, there have been two units of Elite rollers floating round as nicely, in case a rider wished to take action on his TT bike and never cope with the final second wheel swap.
With that – keep tuned for extra sports activities tech in some future Tour de France phases, in addition to the ladies’s aspect (since that handily begins in The Netherlands this 12 months, the place I dwell).
Thanks for studying!
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