The Vuelta a España typically performs third fiddle within the Grand Tour hierarchy. If you bear in mind the Classics too, it might appear that there’s little or no new tech to be noticed right here, however that does not imply there’s none. The route is commonly punishingly hilly, and when wandering the pits I came upon that Ineos have a fleet of bikes that they ship to a Components 1 paint firm within the UK for stripping and repainting to make them even lighter, only for use within the hilly phases.
The warmth, too, is at all times a problem, although there have been far fewer cooling hacks on present right here than there have been for the opening time trial the place the mercury shot above 40 levels. My stage one tech gallery is price perusing too if you need a full immersion into tech nerdery.
In some ways, the Vuelta is a last-chance saloon. Riders who fell quick on the Tour de France typically attempt to salvage their seasons, locking horns with others vying for Giro management the next yr. It is a final probability for tech recognizing, however it’s additionally an opportunity to see some bikes from groups we do not often see a lot of, which is why I am beginning with the myriad completely different Large bikes of workforce Kern Pharma.
For those who ever want a dialog starter to your bike associates you may have this one free of charge: Which professional workforce bike would you’ve gotten? It’s important to have it as it’s, paint, elements and all. I believe mine can be a Kern Pharma Large TCR.
Earlier than I may get my lens on these bikes correctly, the race officers needed to scan the frames to verify for hidden motors.
As soon as the officers left I received to spend a little bit of time up shut and private with what I believe is perhaps my favorite paint of any professional bike this yr. The Kern Pharma riders have been utilizing a mixture of the aero Propel and the light-weight TCR, however even amongst all-rounders, the fork legs listed below are fantastically slender.
The propel against this is a extra fulsome machine. Built-in seatposts are a dying breed, so it is at all times a kick to nonetheless see them.
Older TCR fashions have been atop the workforce automobile roof rack, with exterior cables on present to the wind.
The hubs on these Cadex wheels are a murals, all bonded carbon blades and complex flanges.
OK I lied, THIS is my favorite paint… it fades to that pretty darkish inexperienced to the rear however I did not get a good snap of it so use your creativeness.
Built-in seatposts are lighter, however the mast toppers may be susceptible to slipping. Slightly gripper tape provides loads of friction for subsequent to no weight penalty.
When to eat, when to drink – Loads of a professional bicycle owner’s life is mapped out intimately for them, even right down to this stage of element.
In addition to Cadex wheels, the workforce use Cadex tyres too, a tyre model we see little of in comparison with the Continental/Pirelli/Vittoria triopoly.
I’ve not come throughout The Mechanic Components earlier than, however some bikes have been utilizing its aftermarket chainrings for bigger tooth counts.
It is not all concerning the bikes, although, however on-body tech too. Look simply to the precise of the radio bump and you will see.
There it’s, a Core physique temperature sensor clipped onto the guts fee strap. These have grow to be practically ubiquitous within the peloton as the results of warmth stress on efficiency have grow to be higher understood.
It was fairly delicate, however Robert Gesink had a specifically painted Cervélo to mark his ultimate skilled race.
Listed here are some unreleased 29c Vittoria Corsa Professional tyres. Solely Wout van Aert was utilizing them, and I used to be advised by the workforce it was purely for an aerodynamic benefit.
On the best way to the DSM-Firmenich bus riders scoot backwards and forwards from signal on.
The Scott Foil RC workforce bikes at all times stand out in opposition to the black bus.
On the workforce’s built-in bars there was a really neat built-in mount for Wahoo Elemnt Bolt computer systems.
Extra aero, after all, and 3D printed as is the norm now.
As a substitute of twisting the pc into the mount, you place the Wahoo in and twist the underside plate, which rotates the mount right into a locked place.
Mikel Landa was sporting an all black ‘Undertaking Black’ Tarmac on the Soudal-QuickStep bus.
In contrast to the remainder of the workforce, he was utilizing tubeless tyres. He was utilizing regular, non-aero socks, too, however you will need to take my phrase for that one.
The silver hub shell is the giveaway that exhibits these are the workforce version of the Roval Rapide CLX wheels.
“Undertaking Black” on Landa’s seat tube marks this body out as an much more restricted model of the S-Works frameset.
Regardless of all proof that built-in techniques are quicker, some riders (James Knox on this case) nonetheless go for separate techniques.
Within the solar the usual paint of the workforce bikes is one thing fairly particular.
One other proponent of the separate bar and stem. Soudal-QuickStep appears to be fairly old fashioned on this regard.
James Knox additionally clearly likes to know the place he is going.
Every QuickStep rider had a dinosaur themed identify sticker.
Look, Corima, SRM. Some fairly massive names when it comes to biking heritage. That is the ability meter that Guillaume Martin refused to suit as a result of his bike was already too heavy, apparently.
It would not be a tech gallery with out stating a French workforce operating tubs nonetheless.
This is a little bit of a Classics throwback – The little patch of Velcro stops the pc rattling within the mount over tough floor.
Manufacturers are always attempting to make black paint extra fascinating. It is admirable, and this Orbea Orca Aero is an effective effort, however it’s nonetheless a black bike.
An extended season of clipping race numbers on has clearly had an affect on the seat publish paint.
Carbon-Ti brake rotors? AbsoluteBlack graphene brake pads? It should be UAE Workforce Emirates.
Like DSM, the workforce has custom-printed pc mounts for aerodynamic causes.
Stage 1 winner Brandon McNulty had his bike coated with purple logos for stage 2.
He additionally had his saddle slammed well past the utmost restrict of the rails.
As I alluded to within the opening, Carlos Rodriguez was operating a motorcycle for stage 2 with a particular paint job redone by Silverstone Paint Expertise.
The British firm takes the Ineos frames, strips them, and resprays them for a considerable weight saving.
I do not learn about you, however this appears exhausting to learn within the chaos of the peloton.
Ecuadorian nationwide champion Jhonatan Narváez had a really pretty white Dogma F in opposition to the ocean of orange and black.
The Dogma fork legs have a particular screw port to mount the race transponder on the dropout, for a tiny wattage saving.
It nonetheless includes zip ties, however it’s fairly neat all issues thought-about.
The workforce appears to have dedicated to utilizing TT tyres all through the season for a rolling resistance acquire.
A direct mount for the rear derailleur helps maintain shifting snappy.
One other Classics throwback: Gripper tape on the within of the bottle cages to maintain the bottles safer.
The brand new Canyon Aeroad is now not information, however the paint remains to be fairly within the solar.
As is the paint of the brand new Wilier Verticale SLR in use below some Astana riders.
This little Miche pc mount is extraordinarily neat.
A scribbled-out Continental emblem on the Aero 111 tyre is a little bit of a throwback to when these tyres have been secret.
The indents declare to make the tyre extra aerodynamic, and it is just for use as a entrance tyre – Although I am positive you would match it to a rear wheel should you actually needed to.
It is the little particulars that make professional bikes cool. Pink Mic-Off valves on the EF bikes are one such element.
I am genuinely fearful Victor Campenaerts goes to get solar blindness if he would not begin sporting sun shades quickly.
Lastly, shout out to Arkea for doing a good switchout equipment. As theirs is purple it clashes with the chief’s jersey, and I am very a fan of excessive vis.