Ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of a Tour de France team? From over £400,000 worth of bikes, to onboard kitchens and race-day tech, we went behind the scenes with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team to take a look inside the trucks, buses, and team cars that keep everything running smoothly.
A Tour de France team is much more than the riders that you see on the screen. It’s a finely tuned operation built on planning and clear roles. Behind every race campaign is a dedicated group of people, each essential to keeping the wheels turning… quite literally.
From soigneurs and chefs to mechanics and directors, here are some of the people who keep the team functioning over the course of the three weeks:
- Director Sportif (DS): The tactical mastermind, responsible for race strategy, rider communication and overall team operations.
- Soigneurs: The support staff who provide care for the riders handling everything from massages and meal prep to laundry and rider recovery.
- Mechanics: Responsible for keeping every bike in perfect working order. Usually the first to start and the last to finish each day.
- Doctors and physios: Monitor riders’ health and treat injuries or niggles to keep everyone race-ready.
- Nutritionists and chefs: Plan and prepare meals tailored to each stage, ensuring riders get the fuel they need to perform.
But what does this look like in action? To find out, we went inside the team trucks, buses, and cars to see how a pro squad keeps things running on cycling’s biggest stage.
How many bikes does a Tour de France team have?
Van Rysel RCR-F AG2R (credit: Liam Cahill)
With eight riders per team, there’s a significant amount of equipment involved. According to the team mechanics, each rider has four road bikes and two time trial bikes. Across the whole team, that adds up to 48 bikes.
Riders use different bikes depending on the stage. For example, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team riders choose between the Van Rysel RCR-F Pro, an aero bike built for flat, fast stages that retails at £10,000, and the Van Rysel RCR-R Pro, a more versatile all-rounder that costs £9,000. For time trials, they switch to the Van Rysel XCR. When you add it all up, the total bike fleet comes in at an estimated £422,000 – the price of a very nice house.
Tour de France Tech Gallery-23 (credit: Liam Cahill)
Teams also carry spare bikes for riders. These travel on the roofs of the team cars and are swapped in quickly if a rider crashes or has a mechanical, minimising time lost and keeping them in the race.
Inside the team truck
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale – mechanics truck (credit: road.cc)
It’s part garage and part storeroom – the team truck is where the mechanics keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
There are bikes and wheels everywhere but it’s a highly organised affair. Race bikes are grouped together, spares stored separately and every item has its place. Each rider’s full fleet of bikes is stored inside and dozens of wheels line the walls, ranging from deep-section aero wheels to lightweight climbing sets.
Tour de France Tech Gallery-25 (credit: Liam Cahill)
Beyond the bikes, the truck is packed with spares and tools: different sized handlebars and stems, chainrings, cassettes – you name it, it’s there. Each mechanic has their own toolbox and there’s dedicated area for maintenance, tuning and emergency repairs.
What’s it like in a pro cycling team bus?
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale – inside team bus (credit: road.cc)
The team bus is where the riders spend a surprising amount of their time: getting ready before races, travelling between stages, and winding down away from the crowds once the day’s racing is done.
Step inside and it feels more like a first-class airport lounge than a team vehicle. There are plush leather seats arranged for comfort and conversation, with each rider having their own space to get changed, pin on numbers, and go over tactics with the Directeur Sportif (DS).
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale – team bus (credit: road.cc)
The team bus is well-equipped for life on the road. There are air conditioning systems, refrigerators, USB charging points, and even a proper coffee machine. Moving further back, there’s a small kitchen area, a bathroom with a shower and toilet, and an area for the DS to make plans and analyse race data.
What’s all the tech in a team car?
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale – team car (credit: road.cc)
The team car is the vehicle used by the staff during the races and they serve as a mobile base of operations, providing communication, support and tactics to the riders. It’s where fast decisions happen and problems get solved on the fly.
Up front, you’ll find an iPad running VeloViewer, a software platform that gives the team live data on the race route, elevation profiles and key points of the stage. Alongside it is a screen showing the live race feed, helping the DS make on-the-spot decisions.
Radios link the DS to the riders out on the road, while another channel keeps staff and support vehicles in sync. There’s also the official race radio, delivering updates from race organisers – crashes, breakaways, time gaps, and more.
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale – liam in team car (credit: road.cc)
The car also carries essential supplies: energy gels and snacks within easy reach, rain bags packed with spare kit and clothing in the boot, and plenty of bottles to hand out on the move.
In the back seat, you’ll find a mechanic, ready to jump out for mid-race bike changes or quick roadside fixes.
Who feeds a pro cycling team?
Tour de France Tech Gallery-22 (credit: Liam Cahill)
With riders burning thousands of calories a day, fuelling properly is essential. That’s where the team chef comes in.
Each team travels with a dedicated chef and a fully equipped kitchen truck, often parked at hotels or near finish lines. The chef prepares all of the meals for the riders, while also providing lunches and snacks for the staff.
Working closely with the team’s nutritionist, the chef ensures every meal supports both performance and recovery.
So, that’s a glimpse into the day-to-day operation that keeps a Tour de France team rolling. Turns out there’s a lot more to it than just bike racing!