The march of the modern-day biking calendar is a relentless one. In a daily 12 months, the professional peloton swiftly races from the arid deserts of the early season Center Japanese races to the open, gray skies of Flanders fields after which onto the excessive mountain passes of the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France.
Simply days in the past, the solar was setting on the seafront in Good after seeing Tadej Pogačar topped Tour de France champion after laying waste to the race and taking his third general victory, however even earlier than the race was executed, the eye of many within the race would already be turned to what’s subsequent.
Each 4 years, the Olympic Video games roll round and slot into the biking calendar, including a captivating additional dimension to an already busy season, and in a brief house of time, the open roads of the south of France can be swapped for the depth and noise of the velodrome because the Olympic Video games observe programme kicks off on the fifth of August.
The Dutch observe squad will journey to France with excessive expectations and large objectives. They’ve excelled on the observe in recent times, significantly within the dash occasions. The lads’s crew dash squad of Jeffrey Hoogland, Harrie Lavreysen, Roy van den Berg and Matthijs Büchli are the defending European, Olympic and World Champions. Shanne Braspennincx is the defending girls’s Olympic keirin champion, while thirteen-time world champion Harrie Lavreysen can also be the reigning males’s Olympic and World Particular person dash champion.
Forward of the Video games, Cyclingnews sat down with Tim de Boer, the pinnacle mechanic for the Dutch Olympic Observe Biking Staff, a veteran of 4 Olympic Video games and the person accountable for the squad’s gear forward of the Paris Olympics for an in-depth chat on observe tech, gear and a take a look at some nuanced features of observe racing that typically go unnoticed.
De Boer finds an hour to speak while the Dutch athletes are at coaching, he is on the squad’s pre-Olympics coaching camp on the velodrome close to Stavanger, Norway. And it rapidly turns into obvious the comparatively quick Olympic Observe racing programme is not wherever close to the entire story.
Velodromes throughout Europe are scorching property within the run-up to the video games as nations battle to safe a reserving for his or her pre-Video games holding camps. Typically nations might not get the venue they wished, as De Boer explains.
“Each different nation that is not from Europe, is in Europe for the time being. So all of the tracks are booked. We wished to go to Grenchen [in Switzerland] however that didn’t work out in the long run.”
“There are some nations which have much more cash than we’ve got. So for instance, I believe what occurred with Grenchen is that we wished to go there, after which the Kiwis wished to go there. So I believe they’ve a barely larger crew, they usually have extra price range, in order that they in all probability simply outbid.”
The dash crew discovered some priceless observe time on the Vår Energi Area in Sola, Norway, although and De Boer defined all the things labored out in the long run.
“The observe is superb. The persons are very good. Every little thing’s organised right here. We obtained a little bit of the low cost, so it really works out nice.”
Tech tendencies and sourcing gear
The rise of the extreme-looking observe bike has been nicely documented and reported on over the previous a number of years. The Hope / Lotus bike developed by Nice Britain in all probability kicked off the pattern and De Boer cited the wide-framed observe bikes as one of many key tendencies in observe tech. Elsewhere, De Boer cited tubeless tyres for the crew pursuit occasions (however with interior tubes) and many raised, ‘praying mantis’ model pursuit positions.
“When the British got here out with the acute vast forks and seat stays that was clearly fairly loopy. And now loads of nations are copying that. Look has a motorcycle like that. Now, the Japanese constructed a motorcycle that is fairly related. The Issue bike has one thing related as nicely.”
Dutch observe cyclists have ridden Koga bikes for a very long time, and do not use the tremendous vast frameset strategy. It sounds just like the crew has chosen to make thought of modifications and upgrades in particular areas for max efficiency.
“We [the team] and Koga didn’t need to change the body, we modified the fork a bit, however it’s not like we’re utilizing the actually vast ones, and that is a giant pattern for the time being.”
“All of the sprinters can have new handlebars from Koga, we even have a brand new fork that narrows to interface with a slim 63/64mm entrance hub. The decrease a part of the fork dropout goes in now, in order that modified. However to have the ability to use it we would have liked new wheels as nicely [due to the width]. So we partnered up with Princeton, so all our entrance wheels are going to be Princeton, and that is actually good.”
De Boer additionally defined the riders will use new cranksets from Raketa, made within the Czech Republic. No abnormal chainset, they retail at €2,500 and have a monster 200bcd (chainring bolt gap spacing) for the large entrance chainrings getting used on the observe. One other drivetrain achieve comes from the chains from D.I.D, who’ve a background in motorsport.
You’d assume gear for an Olympic Video games could be deliberate and mapped out months and even years prematurely, however De Boer defined that wasn’t the case. This Olympic cycle has seen a number of nations scrabbling round for gear, and it appears getting maintain of sure elements earlier than the video games kick off in Paris has gone right down to the wire.
This goes in opposition to the extensively acknowledged narrative that the post-COVID elements shortages are actually a factor of the previous. That mentioned, a lot of the elements getting used aren’t your common disc wheelset or rear derailleur and are particular orders.
“It is truly fairly humorous, as a result of earlier than Tokyo, when the entire bike trade was on its knees roughly. Everyone obtained all of the gear, and no one ever had any issues with the gear. We obtained all the things very early. Everyone on the observe that I spoke to had all the things, and there was no downside. And now everyone we communicate to, all of them have issues with the gear.
“On the first of Could, we had frames, and that was about the one factor. We did not have forks, we did not have handlebars. We had nothing. Nonetheless, we’re ready for handlebars. We nonetheless want extra cranksets.”
“So we have 20 wheels coming in at this time. That is per week earlier than we depart. So we nonetheless should sand all of them down, and glue tyres to them.”
“The British additionally wanted loads of wheels. I heard from the Germans that they are ready for 10 extra wheels; they want 5 frames. Everyone you communicate to, all of them have issues with getting the gear. So, yeah, it is bizarre that it is such a giant distinction from Tokyo.”
The final Dugast observe tubulars
The Dutch squad use Dugast tubulars, made in Holland for years. The corporate was acquired by Vittoria pretty lately and the Dugast observe tubular might not have a lot of a future, you will not discover them on the Vittoria web site now. However they’re the weapon of alternative for De Boer and the squad and it sounds just like the Dutch crew’s massive remaining order was the final lot of observe tubs to be produced by the model.
“Dugast is gone, the crew have been in a position to order loads of tyres as a result of they knew issues could be altering, and Dugast gave us all the things they have been in a position to make. Every little thing that is not good we use in coaching. For the Olympics, we placed on the great ones.”
For context, these are extremely light-weight and quick tubular tyres that are glued onto a wheel rim by hand, to not be confused with tubeless. The ‘not good’ ones might have a barely wonky tread, or on account of their delicate, handmade nature, do not run fully completely on a wheel. However make no mistake, they’re quick.
De Boer believes the additional work concerned in working with the tyres is value it for the efficiency they supply and is assured they’re quicker than the Vittoria tubular tyres utilized by a lot of different nations now.
The 25mm tyres use a latex tread and are run at very excessive pressures. The minimal cotton base tape makes working with them and gluing them tougher than the typical tubular. It appears what they lack in usability they make up for in pure velocity.
“We put a lot strain in it, usually we put 14 bars in it, and that is like 200 psi. So they only should be actually onerous, from what I’ve examined, it is just like the more durable, the higher. However we do not need to threat blowing a tyre or one thing, so we all the time simply persist with 14 bars.”
“Usually, typically a number of the riders need to have the rear tyre somewhat bit softer for the standing begin, you may have somewhat bit extra grip. However then for those who go quick via the nook, you need them to be onerous, you already know, if the heavy sprinters, in the event that they go 80k an hour right into a nook and the tyre is simply too delicate, they are going to lose the again wheel. So, yeah, you continue to want loads of strain.”
In the event you’re pondering what’s all of the fuss about, a observe rider, particularly an Olympic-level sprinter thundering right into a wood 42-degree financial institution at 80km/h is placing a severe quantity of load onto a tyre. The onerous, glued-on tyre, stands up much better on the velodrome banking.
Glueing tubular tyres generally is a barely messy and laborious course of, they usually have to be glued correctly to the rim of a tyre, otherwise you run the chance of them coming unstuck in use. Glueing tubs for an Olympic remaining is a severe enterprise. De Boer’s expertise shines via right here and explains he feels no nerves in regards to the tyres he glues coming unbonded.
“We all know with these tyres, they’re so fragile and light-weight they usually’re not good, even for those who type them, they’re nonetheless not good. I can nonetheless glue loads of tyres in Paris if vital, I do not really feel nervous about them not being caught.”
“After the standing begins with the sprinters, the tyre can have injury and wish altering. However within the Omnium the tyre can final a very long time, it is dependent upon the occasion and the rider. With a easy rider, the tyre will final a very long time, with a rider that is in all places the tyre will not final lengthy. Within the Madison, the tyres put on rapidly as a result of aggressive driving and line modifications.”
Three crew dash rounds give a complete of 9 laps of a 250-metre velodrome, which provides you an perception into the lifespan of those tyres. Albeit with the large wattage and begin a great deal of the world’s finest sprinters. De Boer sums up the no-compromise strategy for efficiency although.
“For me, it would not matter if I’ve to alter a tyre earlier than the race, if it is faster, it is faster. “
Registering gear with the UCI
Throughout Staff GB’s all-conquering interval on the observe, you’d hear how the squad’s very quickest gear would not even be used for World Championships, such was the concentrate on most efficiency on the Olympics. Publish-Video games, one of the best gear could be hidden away once more and even burnt to maintain issues secret.
These days of a nation turning up with a shock new piece of package or gear are gone although, De Boer explains, due to up to date guidelines and the necessity to pre-register the gear a nation will use with the UCI forward of time.
“Since then, loads of issues have modified. So now all the things needs to be registered earlier than you can simply present up with stuff, in order that was by no means examined, you then burn it afterwards, no one would know what it was.”
The UCI remaining gear checklist was printed on the twenty ninth of March this 12 months, so nations would know from them what they might count on rivals to be utilizing and plan accordingly. They might then choose the gear they are going to use from this checklist for particular occasions. De Boer defined there was a component of registering loads of merchandise to maintain your choices open and imply you may have entry to the quickest package and never miss out on any potential benefits.
“I do know that we registered 15 or 16 skinsuits. And I do know that the majority nations did this as a result of for those who take a look at the checklist, the UCI publish the checklist with all of the skinsuits used. There are such a lot of pores and skin fits on it. It’s ridiculous.”
“Now all the things is registered, all the things is seen, all the things is examined by the UCI. With the skinsuits, for instance, they’ve a machine that measures the quantity of air that’s going via the material. They’ll measure all the things. It isn’t so secret. In order that’s factor, I believe as a result of all the things is coming nearer collectively now, as a substitute of a nation simply investing $2 million in a skinsuit.”
“The UCI is admittedly attempting its finest to arrange stuff like this. You all the time hear that there’s a lot of stuff going improper with UCI however, in this sort of factor, they’re actually attempting to make one of the best out of it and make it work with all of the nations as nicely.”
Observe situations in Paris
Completely different velodromes world wide have completely different traits and trip qualities relying on the size of their straights, bankings, and observe widths. De Boer defined the observe ought to swimsuit the dash occasions and contribute to some quick instances.
“It is a fairly quick observe as a result of it is wider, I believe it is like seven and a half meters or one thing, as a substitute of seven. So particularly with 200 metres, you may have somewhat bit of additional falling velocity [when dropping from the top of the banking].”
“I do know that Harrie and Jeffrey as nicely are actually a giant fan of the Paris Velodrome, from the primary time they have been there. In order that’s good. I count on, particularly within the 200 metres, a spectacular time there. I do not assume the world report can be damaged, however I would not be stunned if it does.”
Atmospheric situations additionally play an element in velodrome performances, take Bradley Wiggins’ infamously sluggish observe situations when he broke the World Hour File in London. The strain contained in the observe may even affect what gearing the riders use to race on.
“The race gear is one thing that they resolve on the day. It actually is dependent upon air strain and air density, the type of the day, and your opponent. So the gear is all the time altering.”
“Now we have these instruments referred to as Kestrels. They’re like little climate stations on the observe, you possibly can see the air density and all the things. Typically you take a look at the climate forecast and also you assume it should be actually good, however it additionally is dependent upon the temperature inside. The quantity of individuals inside additionally makes a distinction. If in case you have a full stadium, air density will change.”
You’d maybe count on the Olympic Video games to simply be one other stage throughout the board. From performances, gear and logistics. However De Boer defined they’re truly the best observe competitors of the lot. There are fewer occasions and fewer riders.
“The humorous factor is that Olympics are literally fairly simple as a result of you may have a small crew usually. If we go to World Championships or one thing, we usually carry like 16 folks, 18 folks, one thing like that. Now you might be restricted, so we carry 10 riders and we’ve got two reserve riders, So 10 riders, after which you may have six days of competitions.
“You might have a restricted quantity of races as nicely as a result of, on the World Championships, you may have a factors race, a kilo [which don’t feature at the Olympics]. We solely have 5 occasions. So as a result of it is all in six days, usually you may have a three-hour observe morning coaching session after which racing within the afternoon, that is fairly relaxed.”
It is truthful to imagine it is six days of whole and full focus for the two-man mechanics crew, given the stakes and strain. However De Boer harassed the significance of taking time for your self to change off and chill out to be able to focus once more when it mattered.
“It’s necessary to seek out time to do another stuff for your self. You recognize, go for somewhat trip within the morning. It is also necessary, I believe, to clear the thoughts. It is nonetheless a very long time, particularly as a result of the entire preparation interval could be very busy as nicely. So you actually should take care that while you go there, you are not too drained already.”
It is clear the strain will ramp up when the squad arrives in France, significantly for the boys’s crew sprinters, the defending champions and scorching favourites.
“Yeah, there’s loads of additional strain. As a result of, particularly for us with the crew dash, we’ve got to win it, roughly. There cannot be something going improper, as a result of we’ve got to win it. Everyone expects us to win, there’s loads of strain there, in order quickly as that’s out of the way in which, then we will begin having enjoyable.”
The Olympic values prolong past what occurs in particular person occasions and are a part of the very material of the Olympic video games. Regardless of the end result within the velodrome, the riders’ performances will certainly add one other wealthy and thrilling chapter to the historical past of Olympic observe biking.
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