It has been two glorious days of hotel hopping in the French sunshine, and we have a tech gallery that is jam-packed with the finest weight-saving hacks, aero components and even the odd bodge.
This year I’ve been impressed with the attention to detail that (most) teams are paying to small optimisations. There have been numerous cases of teams ensuring their climbing bike sits right on the UCI’s minimum weight limit of 6.8kg.
But with a fast opening week forecast, teams have also been discussing the UCI’s recent controversial rule changes, most of which are set to come into effect in 2026.
Coincidently, every person I spoke to, from equipment managers to brand representatives, has been outraged by the UCI’s lack of consideration for riders, teams and brands. While everyone agrees that a drive for safer racing is good, their approach has resulted in little positivity.
But if the UCI presses ahead, next year’s Tour tech gallery will look a lot different.
Pro-spec wheels
Enve, a driving force behind the charge towards hookless road bike wheels, announced a new wheelset earlier this week which was slightly puzzling.
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The SES 4.5 Pro interestingly came with a narrower 23.5mm internal rim width, which, when paired with the 30.8mm external rim width, makes them optimised for a 28mm rim width according to Enve.
But with Pogacar seemingly being a fan of wider tyres, what’s caused Enve to make a new wheelset at his request?
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It likely has a lot to do with Continental’s GP5000 TT TR tyre being available in its widest form as a 28mm. This tyre, on Enve’s standard SES 4.5 with a 25mm internal width, falls foul of ETRTO compatibility rules.
The GP5000 TT TR is Continental’s fastest offering for road races, but it is also a very light tyre so riders like Pogacar naturally want to use it.
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No matter the reasons, with the silver hubs and spokes shining under a pleasant sun, the new pro-spec wheels looked lovely.
Official TDF tyres
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Pogacar’s Y1RS sported the regular Enve SES 4.5 wheels and onto these he has a set of Continental’s new Archetype tyres fitted in a size 30mm.
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They may not be as fast as the GP5000 TT TR tyre, but they have a special TDF logo.
The fastest TDF TT helmet?
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Time trial (TT) helmets have been growing in size for a few years now and this one from Van Rysel caught my eye at the Decathlon AG2R bus.
It fits the general trend of doubling as a Darth Vader lid in a cosplay pinch, but what I’ll be keen to see is the claims Van Rysel makes when it is launched.
During the release of its immensely popular RCR road bike, the brand said its engineers purchased one of each aero bike in the World Tour and tested them in its wind tunnel to find the fastest tube shapes.
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So I’m keen to see if the same principles have been applied to the development of this helmet.
As things stand, we’ve no official confirmation of the new helmet’s credentials and even if we did, so much of a TT helmet’s speed comes from how it interacts with an individual rider. Given these factors, we can’t point to any one helmet and crown it champion of the TT.
New Specialized components
Two new Specialized products have popped up, with one looking close to completion, and one designed to catch our attention.
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The first is what will surely be the Turbo Cotton TLR tyres. Roglic had them fitted with a 30mm stated size.
Given a number of Specialized riders have stuck stoically to their clincher Turbo Cotton tyres, this may be the model that finally moves them over to tubeless.
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A striking red and white 3D printed saddle sat atop a Soudal Quick-Step bike. This is the new S-Works Power EVO with Mirror and in this colour, it is exceptionally jazzy.
Monsieur, your chainring will be illegal
The opening stages of the Tour this year are largely ones for the sprinters and classics riders. As a result, we saw some chainrings that will most definitely fall foul of the UCI’s new 54×11 gear limit come August, assuming the rule is implemented following a trial.
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Tim Merlier needs a big chainring for his super-fast sprint. This one is a 56T.
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Oli Naesen also went for 56 teeth.
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So did Remco Evenepoel, but his are fancy Carbon-Ti ones. That’s a small weight-saving measure.
These chainrings, however, are a sizable 54/41T combo. Note also the waxed chain. (credit: Liam Cahill)
Most Sram riders, including Matteo Jorgensen, chose a 54/41T combo for his Cervelo R5.
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But Vingegaard has his S5 setup 1x. His 52×10 will be banned come August.
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That aside, Sram’s push for 1x means that the Visma riders have an exceptionally clean solution.
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But the biggest chainrings can always be found on TT bikes. This one, belonging to Cofidis rider Benjamin Thomas, is a 60T whopper.
The number holder haves and have-nots
BMC has integrated the frame number holder exceptionally neatly. (credit: Liam Cahill)
Tudor’s mechanics slot this specially-made unit into the seatpost clamp.
Van der Poel and Philipsen Canyon Aeroad CFR-04 (credit: Liam Cahill)
Alpecin’s riders have number holders bonded to the seatpost.
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But Cofidis make do with a small zip tie. It ain’t pretty, but it gets the job done.
And the rest from a chaotic camera roll.
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Got a lot of bottle? Cofidis do.
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A tidy job has been done on the 3D printer derailleur hangers. Cofidis said it saves 5g.
This Garmin Edge 130 just looks cute compared to the phone-size cycling computers we’re used to seeing. Weight will be a factor, but Jorgensen probably only needs his vital data anyway. (credit: Liam Cahill)
Matteo Jorgensen had better have good eyes to see his Garmin Edge 130. It was tiny on the front of his brand-new Cervelo R5.
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Cofidis seem to be the only team using power meter pedals. These are from Look, the team’s bike sponsor.
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Lace-up shoes and aero socks are a slippery combo.
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A line of Elite smart trainers sat waiting for AG2R to return from their cafe ride. A bit of TT helmet fitting was in order, but we weren’t able to stick around. Places to be etc.
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Specialized’s Phenom is a lesser-spotted saddle these days. This one belongs to Roglic, who seemed very chilled as he strolled through the team’s golf and spa hotel on Friday afternoon. I can’t think why.
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But I was more surprised to see Tim Merlier’s Phenom of choice. This S-Works model is the women’s design. The mechanics told me it had been a popular choice in recent years, but Merlier is the last rider left to opt for it.
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Pogacar has his little hulk decal on his cockpit.
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And there is one laser etched onto his BB cups.
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The AG2R chef had been busy preparing a little dessert. He’s obviously a big fan of Wimbledon.
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While at the Soudal Quick-Step team, the race numbers and transponders were being readied.
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Continental’s Aero 111 tyre should be a common sight in the opening stages with riders trying everything to rescue drag.
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As a keen home mechanic with a similar tool case, I think it’s important to remember the mechanics. They never stop working.
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It’s time for the tech to come skidding to a halt. New car tyres for AG2R’s Skoda Superbs. Admittedly, this isn’t quite as catchy as ‘new balls please’ at the tennis.