ProTeam IPT will be riding their sixth Tour de France this July. Since their Tour debut, the squad of Michael Woods and Derek Gee have been riding bikes manufactured by Factor.
At this year’s Tour, the team have a pair of noteworthy road bikes in their arsenal. The tool for the mountains and hilly stages will be the all-rounder Ostro VAM. For the occasion, the frameset has been jazzed up by a swirled watercolour-style paintjob in baby blue, white and pink. As for the sprints, Jake Stewart and Pascal Ackermann will roll out on their new toy, an unreleased (and unnamed) Factor aero bike. This is the radical machine’s Grand Tour debut after turning heads last month when it was given a baptism of fire at the Critérium du Dauphiné. It might be its last appearance too if the UCI’s planned bike frame design restrictions come into force.
Xavier Pereyron caught Factor’s unreleased aerobike and the squad’s watercolour-inspired Ostro VAM in the race paddock.
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Matis Louvel’s Tour de France Factor super-aero bike prototype spec
- Bottle and bottle cage: Elite
- Computer: Hammerhead
- Computer mount: Black Inc
- Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 with FSA crankset
- Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace
- Power meter: Shimano Dura-Ace
- Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost Pro Team Kit Carbonio Superflow
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000 TT TR
- Wheels: Black Inc 62
Xavier Pereyron
Factor’s unnamed and unreleased prototype first emerged at the Critérium du Dauphiné. There, Jake Stewart piloted the frame to stage victory in Mâcon.
Xavier Pereyron
Think of this as the cousin to the Colnago Y1Rs and the Cervélo S5’s cockpits.
Xavier Pereyron
Below the bulky cockpit, the fork curves around the wheel to create a unique look not dissimilar from the British track team’s Hope Lotus.
Xavier Pereyron
The forks take a sharp turn inwards at the axle, allowing the brakes to be hidden from the wind.
French rider Matis Louvel is riding Selle Italia’s SLR Boost Pro Team Kit Carbonio Superflow saddle. Underneath, you can see a Hikob GPS tracker.
Xavier Pereyron
During the opening week, both of IPT’s bikes were fitted with Black Inc’s 62mm rim wheelset and Continental’s GP5000 TT tyres.
Michael Woods’ Tour de France 2025 Factor Ostro VAM spec
- Bottle and bottle cage: Elite
- Computer: Hammerhead
- Computer mount: Black Inc
- Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 with FSA crankset
- Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace
- Power meter: Shimano Dura-Ace
- Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Carbon
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000 TT TR
- Wheels: Black Inc 62
Xavier Pereyron
IPT’s bikes are equipped with a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset with FSA cranks, the same as EF’s Cannondale SuperSix Evos.
Xavier Pereyron
Britain’s Joe Blackmore rode the Ostro VAM to sixth place on the first mountain stage at this year’s Tour de France.
Xavier Pereyron
No two framesets are the same. The paintjob is unique for every rider because as Factor says: ‘Variances are intentional and should be expected.’
Xavier Pereyron
A more familiar look at the front.
Xavier Pereyron
This generation of the Ostro VAM was released in 2024. A more affordable spin-off, the Monza, was unveiled earlier this year.
Xavier Pereyron
It seems the seatpost clamp wasn’t given the same watercolour treatment.
Xavier Pereyron
Factor’s slogan ‘Never Status Quo’ features on the chainstay. This ethos has also inspired the squad’s special Tour jersey.
