{"id":256652,"date":"2025-07-11T16:45:24","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T16:45:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/256652\/"},"modified":"2025-07-11T16:45:24","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T16:45:24","slug":"julian-alaphilippes-new-bmc-teammachine-slr-01-has-pro-only-tyres-and-a-stunning-raw-carbon-finish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/256652\/","title":{"rendered":"Julian Alaphilippe’s new BMC Teammachine SLR 01 has pro-only tyres and a stunning raw-carbon finish"},"content":{"rendered":"

The last time the Tour de France visited the M\u00fbr-de-Bretagne, on stage 2 of the 2021 edition, Julian Alaphilippe was wearing the yellow jersey, following a stunning solo victory the previous day.<\/p>\n

Yet, while LouLou might not be quite the rider he was four years ago, the two-time road race world champion still commands respect for his glittering palmar\u00e8s.<\/p>\n

It seems unlikely that Alaphilippe can roll back the years and surprise favourites such as Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/a> and Mathieu van der Poel<\/a> on the M\u00fbr today, but we suspect his bike of choice will be the new flyweight BMC Teammachine SLR 01<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ahead of this year\u2019s race, we visited Alaphilippe\u2019s Tudor Pro Cycling Team at the Grand D\u00e9part in Lille to check out the team\u2019s bikes.<\/p>\n

As promised by BMC, Alaphilippe\u2019s new climbing bike<\/a> is certainly lightweight, yet it\u2019s also interesting to see how the veteran French rider is now more in step with modern trends. Let\u2019s dig into it.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

A modern, minimalist paintjob
\n\"JulianThe BMC Teammachiine SLR 01 features a bold new logo design. Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/p>\n

Although the new Teammachine SLR\u2019s overall silhouette is very familiar, one of the most notable changes is to the graphics.<\/p>\n

Likely in a bid to save weight, Alaphilippe\u2019s bike uses a clear-coat-over-raw-carbon finish, with an enormous red BMC logo adorning the down tube.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a striking and unusual design, because the logo looks almost as if it doesn\u2019t fit on the bike, but we\u2019re always happy to see something different in the WorldTour<\/a> peloton.<\/p>\n

\"JulianThe sunlight reveals the frame’s carbon weave showing through the clear-coat paint. Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media
\n\"JulianBMC supplies pro team bikes with a seatpost wedge that doubles as a race-number holder. Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/p>\n

According to the Swiss brand, the new Teammachine SLR 01 frameset is 222g lighter than the previous version, thanks to updated tube shapes and an improved carbon layup.<\/p>\n

All-in, a size-54cm bike is claimed to weigh 6.6kg. We weighed Alaphilippe\u2019s size-52cm bike at 7.125kg, although that includes a set of Time XPro 12 SL pedals<\/a>, the bike\u2019s integrated aero bottle cages and a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 3<\/a> bike computer.<\/p>\n

\"JulianJulian Alaphilippe’s BMC Teammachine SLR 01 weighs 7.125kg with pedals and a bike computer. Ashley Quinlan \/ Our Media<\/p>\n

Despite an overall focus on cutting weight, the Teamachine SLR retains truncated aerofoil tube shapes and a one-piece integrated cockpit to help it cut through the wind efficiently.<\/p>\n

The latter is especially notable because Alaphilippe has opted for round handlebars and non-integrated cockpits for much of his career, but it seems he’s finally had his head turned by the potential performance gains.<\/p>\n

We measured Alaphilippe’s BMC ICS Carbon Aero cockpit at 360x100mm (measured centre-to-centre at the brake hoods), although the drops flare out to 420mm wide for greater control when sprinting or descending.<\/p>\n

\"JulianJulian Alaphilippe has adopted an aero-optimised cockpit at last. Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media
\n\"JulianThe Teammachine SLR uses integrated bottle cages for a small aerodynamic gain. Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media
\nNew saddle, old wheels\u00a0and pro-only tyres<\/p>\n

In terms of equipment, Alaphilippe\u2019s bike was decked out with a SRAM Red AXS groupset, with relatively small \u2013 by pro standards<\/a> \u2013 52\/39t chainrings and a 10-36t cassette out back.<\/p>\n

In fairness to Alaphilippe, though, 52×10 is still a big gear (big enough that it won\u2019t be permitted during the UCI\u2019s upcoming gearing restrictions trial<\/a>), and this is a dedicated climbing bike. It\u2019s possible his BMC Teammachine R Mpc.<\/a> aero bike has a set of larger chainrings fitted to it, after all.<\/p>\n

\"JulianTudor Pro Cycling Team uses SRAM’s flagship Red AXS groupset. Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media
\n\"JulianA wide, 10-36t cassette for Alaphilippe’s climbing bike. Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/p>\n

While the likes of Poga\u010dar, Remco Evenepoel<\/a> and Jonas Vingegaard<\/a> have moved to 165mm or shorter cranks, Alaphilippe is sticking with his tried-and-true 170mm cranks.<\/p>\n

Up top, Alaphilippe has Selle Italia\u2019s latest 3D-printed<\/a> SLR 3D Carbon saddle. Launched just before the Tour, the new model is reportedly 6mm shorter, has 4mm-longer rails (for a greater adjustment range) and weighs 29g less than the previous version.<\/p>\n

\"JulianAlaphilippe chooses Time’s lightest XPro 12 SL pedals. Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/p>\n

Unusually, though, Alaphilippe\u2019s bike was rolling on the outgoing version of the DT Swiss ARC 1100 wheels.<\/p>\n

Having launched in late June, the new DT Swiss ARC wheels<\/a> are claimed to be slightly more aerodynamic thanks to an updated rim profile and reduced spoke count.<\/p>\n

Having spoken to a representative of Uno-X Mobility, a rival team also sponsored by DT Swiss, we suspect the answer is simply that the new wheels are still in short supply, and will only appear on riders’ number one race bikes (the teams often give us a rider\u2019s spare bike to film and photograph, as the riders tend to be out training on their primary bikes at the same time).<\/p>\n

\"JulianJulian Alaphilippe’s bike was set up with the ‘old’ DT Swiss ARC wheels when we saw it. Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media
\n\"JulianSchwalbe supplies its sponsored teams with special-edition tyres that have a blue tyre bead. Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/p>\n

Mounted to the DT Swiss rims is a set of 28c Schwalbe Pro One TLE tyres<\/a>, with pro-only blue tyre beads. These measure around 29.4mm wide at the rear and 28.7mm wide up front.<\/p>\n

With Schwalbe having launched a host of new gravel tyres recently, we had wondered whether we might see an updated Pro One TLE, or some riders using the Pro One Aero<\/a> and Pro One TT tyres<\/a> instead \u2013 both of which are supposedly a little faster than the standard Pro One TLE.<\/p>\n

However, it seems both Schwalbe-sponsored teams at this year\u2019s Tour are content to stick with the standard model. As we\u2019ve often wondered, though, perhaps these \u2018pro-only\u2019 Pro Ones are in fact a little lighter and faster than what punters can buy in the shops anyway.<\/p>\n

\"JulianJulian Alaphilippe’s BMC Teammachiine SLR 01 at the 2025 Tour de France.
\n\"JulianSRAM Red AXS shifters take care of gear changes and braking duties. Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media
\n\"JulianA new 3D-printed saddle for the two-time road race world champion.
\n\"JulianAlaphilippe is using 28c tyres front and rear. Ashley Quinlan \/ Our Media
\nSpecs | Julian Alaphilippe’s BMC Teammachine SLR 01 for the 2025 Tour de France<\/p>\n