{"id":239593,"date":"2025-07-05T08:05:23","date_gmt":"2025-07-05T08:05:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/239593\/"},"modified":"2025-07-05T08:05:23","modified_gmt":"2025-07-05T08:05:23","slug":"mega-tour-de-france-tech-gallery-absolute-aero-tt-tricks-and-weightweenie-magic-collide-at-the-worlds-biggest-bike-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/239593\/","title":{"rendered":"Mega Tour de France tech gallery \u2014 absolute aero, TT tricks and weightweenie magic collide at the world’s biggest bike race"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This year I\u2019ve 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\u2019s minimum weight limit of 6.8kg.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Coincidently, every person I spoke to, from equipment managers to brand representatives, has been outraged by the UCI\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

But if the UCI presses ahead, next year\u2019s Tour tech gallery will look a lot different.<\/p>\n

Pro-spec wheels<\/p>\n

Enve, a driving force behind the charge towards hookless road bike wheels, announced a new wheelset earlier this week which was slightly puzzling.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-45 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

But with Pogacar seemingly being a fan of wider tyres, what\u2019s caused Enve to make a new wheelset at his request?<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-46 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

It likely has a lot to do with Continental\u2019s GP5000 TT TR tyre being available in its widest form as a 28mm. This tyre, on Enve\u2019s standard SES 4.5 with a 25mm internal width, falls foul of ETRTO compatibility rules.<\/p>\n

The GP5000 TT TR is Continental\u2019s fastest offering for road races, but it is also a very light tyre so riders like Pogacar naturally want to use it.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-04 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

No matter the reasons, with the silver hubs and spokes shining under a pleasant sun, the new pro-spec wheels looked lovely.<\/p>\n

Official TDF tyres<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-09 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

Pogacar\u2019s Y1RS sported the regular Enve SES 4.5 wheels and onto these he has a set of Continental\u2019s new Archetype tyres fitted in a size 30mm.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-08 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

They may not be as fast as the GP5000 TT TR tyre, but they have a special TDF logo.<\/p>\n

The fastest TDF TT helmet?<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-26 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

It fits the general trend of doubling as a Darth Vader lid in a cosplay pinch, but what I\u2019ll be keen to see is the claims Van Rysel makes when it is launched.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-21 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

So I\u2019m keen to see if the same principles have been applied to the development of this helmet.<\/p>\n

As things stand, we\u2019ve no official confirmation of the new helmet\u2019s credentials and even if we did, so much of a TT helmet\u2019s speed comes from how it interacts with an individual rider. Given these factors, we can\u2019t point to any one helmet and crown it champion of the TT.<\/p>\n

New Specialized components<\/p>\n

Two new Specialized products have popped up, with one looking close to completion, and one designed to catch our attention.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-18 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

The first is what will surely be the Turbo Cotton TLR tyres. Roglic had them fitted with a 30mm stated size.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-14 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Monsieur, your chainring will be illegal<\/p>\n

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\u2019s new 54×11 gear limit come August, assuming the rule is implemented following a trial.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-16 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

Tim Merlier needs a big chainring for his super-fast sprint. This one is a 56T.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-27 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

Oli Naesen also went for 56 teeth.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-10 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

So did Remco Evenepoel, but his are fancy Carbon-Ti ones. That\u2019s a small weight-saving measure.<\/p>\n

\"MatteoThese chainrings, however, are a sizable 54\/41T combo. Note also the waxed chain. (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

Most Sram riders, including Matteo Jorgensen, chose a 54\/41T combo for his Cervelo R5.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-43 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

But Vingegaard has his S5 setup 1x. His 52×10 will be banned come August.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-42 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

That aside, Sram\u2019s push for 1x means that the Visma riders have an exceptionally clean solution.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-36 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

But the biggest chainrings can always be found on TT bikes. This one, belonging to Cofidis rider Benjamin Thomas, is a 60T whopper.<\/p>\n

The number holder haves and have-nots<\/p>\n

\"JulianBMC has integrated the frame number holder exceptionally neatly. (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

Tudor\u2019s mechanics slot this specially-made unit into the seatpost clamp.<\/p>\n

\"VanVan der Poel and Philipsen Canyon Aeroad CFR-04 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

Alpecin\u2019s riders have number holders bonded to the seatpost.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-38 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

But Cofidis make do with a small zip tie. It ain\u2019t pretty, but it gets the job done.<\/p>\n

And the rest from a chaotic camera roll.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-40 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

Got a lot of bottle? Cofidis do.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-39 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

A tidy\u00a0job has been done on the 3D printer derailleur hangers. Cofidis said\u00a0it saves 5g.<\/p>\n

\"MatteoThis 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)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-37 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

Cofidis seem to be the only team using power meter pedals. These are from Look, the team\u2019s bike sponsor.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-34 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

Lace-up shoes and aero socks are a slippery combo.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-29 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

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\u2019t able to stick around. Places to be etc.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-19 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

Specialized\u2019s Phenom is a lesser-spotted saddle these days. This one belongs to Roglic, who seemed very chilled as he strolled through the team\u2019s golf and spa hotel on Friday afternoon. I can’t think why.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-15 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

But I was more surprised to see Tim Merlier\u2019s Phenom of choice. This S-Works model is the women\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-07 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

Pogacar has his little hulk decal on his cockpit.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-05 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

And there is one laser etched onto his BB cups.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-22 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

The AG2R chef had been busy preparing a little dessert. He\u2019s obviously a big fan of Wimbledon.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-11 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

While at the Soudal Quick-Step team, the race numbers and transponders were being readied.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-28 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

Continental\u2019s Aero 111 tyre should be a common sight in the opening stages with riders trying everything to rescue drag.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-25 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

As a keen home mechanic with a similar tool case, I think it\u2019s important to remember the mechanics. They never stop working.<\/p>\n

\"TourTour de France Tech Gallery-35 (credit: Liam Cahill)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s time for the tech to come skidding to a halt. New car tyres for AG2R\u2019s Skoda Superbs. Admittedly, this isn’t quite as catchy as ‘new balls please’ at the tennis.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It has been two glorious days of hotel hopping in the French sunshine, and we have a tech…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":239594,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4104],"tags":[4230,79,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-239593","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling","8":"tag-cycling","9":"tag-sports","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/239593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=239593"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/239593\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/239594"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=239593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=239593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=239593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}