In the case of the large logistical problem that’s transporting a group and all their biking gear throughout 21 levels and 4 international locations for the 2022 Tour de France, one maybe surprising bit of drugs is their sensible trainers. Every group brings a slate of trainers with them, and in some circumstances, a number of varieties of trainers – and sometimes sufficient for all riders, relying on the yr/levels.
That was actually the case this previous weekend on the Tour de France when opening stage was a person time trial, because it usually is. That implies that every rider usually warms up on a sensible coach forward of that stage for maybe 25-40 minutes, earlier than competing the comparatively quick 13KM stage. This may play out once more later within the Tour de France on the 2nd to final stage, the place a for much longer 40.7km particular person time trial is ready to occur. There aren’t any group time trials this yr (sadly, they make for spectacular photographs).
As is usually the case for a few years, I’ve outlined which trainers and energy meters every group makes use of, in addition to a lot of attention-grabbing little coach tidbits alongside the best way. For this publish, we’ve acquired the trainers up first. I’m skipping the bike energy meters on right now’s publish, as a result of energy meters on time trial bikes are fairly often completely different than their street bikes they use for the remainder of the Tour (which accounts for like 99% of the milage). Similar goes for bike computer systems and such. Extra on that later.
Workforce Coach Itemizing:
Now, one of the best ways to take pleasure in this publish is definitely the video above, particularly as a result of I am going to nearly each group and take a look at what’s happening as riders warm-up forward of the stage. However, in order for you the boring manner, right here’s a listing of which trainers they’re utilizing. However first, the compulsory reminder that *ALL* f these groups have coach sponsorships in place. Which means, each single one in every of these is paid to journey these trainers. The tough pricing ballpark for such an association in 2022 is about $100K/yr, however that may typically embrace further equipment, relying on which coach firm is supplying it. IN any case, right here’s the checklist:
– B&B Lodges–KTM
– Cofidis
– Workforce DSM (additionally Elite Qubo noticed)
– Groupama–FDJ
– UAE Workforce Emirates
– AG2R Citroën Workforce
– Arkéa–Samsic
– Bahrain Victorious
– Intermarché–Wanty–Gobert Matériaux
– Israel–Premier Tech
– Movistar Workforce
– Astana Qazaqstan
– BikeExchange–Jayco
– Ineos Grenadiers
– Jumbo–Visma
– Lotto–Soudal
– Fast-Step Alpha Vinyl
– TotalEnergies-Cyclists
– Alpecin–Deceuninck
– Bora–Hansgrohe
– EF Schooling–EasyPost
– Trek–Segafredo (additionally Wahoo ROLLR noticed)
Now, for those who need to do provider/sponsor depend, they’re as follows:
Elite: 11 groups
Tacx: 7 groups
Wahoo: 4 groups
That is roughly per what we’ve seen over the previous few years. Elite has principally maintained their partnerships, whereas Tacx has decreased just below Garmin (however Garmin themselves has elevated for equipment), and Wahoo has barely elevated over the previous few years. Saris doesn’t sponsor any males’s groups this yr, and even after they did, it was often solely a single group (Trek-Segafredo).
Most occasions, the Tacx & Elite sponsorships additionally embrace bottles. And most occasions, the Wahoo sponsorships additionally embrace bike computer systems/chest straps/different indoor gear/and many others… The Garmin sponsorships have a tendency to incorporate bike computer systems, watches, sensor equipment, trainers, Varia radar, and weight scales. Garmin particularly has two choices of sponsorship, which principally is Garmin solely, or Garmin + Tacx. Typically talking Garmin energy meters aren’t included right here, since Shimano/SRAM are likely to cowl a lot of the Peloton through drivetrains, and additional, that will get into rider pedal preferences. However, extra on energy meters and such in a unique publish.
Now, lastly, right here’s a enjoyable gallery of all kinds of group trainers:
Since for this piece I used to be truly extra centered on video, I spent most of my time making an attempt to get video pictures of all of them fairly than nonetheless pictures. Ideally I’d have had nonetheless and video pictures of the whole lot, however with the dumping rains, it was a unending battle to maintain the a number of digicam lens half-way viable.
Enjoyable Odds and Ends:
As famous within the video in additional element, you’ll discover a Wahoo ROLLR being utilized by group Trek-Segafredo. This isn’t stunning as a time trial stage is actually the one finest instance of the place a Wahoo ROLLR is smart. It permits the rider to warm-up until the final second on a motorcycle with out eradicating the rear wheel. Whereas these mechanics can clearly swap out a rear wheel in mere seconds, it’s one much less trouble.
After which over at Workforce DSM, they have been rocking a Elite Qubo coach, which was getting used for cool-downs, merely as a result of it was simpler to take care of and didn’t require energy. I had a chat with one of many Workforce DSM workers of us about it within the video as effectively.
And at TotalEnergies-Cyclists, they even went to the difficulty of putting in the Tacx NEO Movement Plates:
Additionally of observe is that I noticed many groups utilizing cooling vests whereas on the trainers (they aren’t allowed in competitors). This was considerably stunning to me provided that the opening stage was hardly that heat (roughly room temp), and in addition very quick (solely 13km). Simply as I used to be pondering that thought whereas watching a Jumbo-Visma rider with a cooling vest, the CORE temperature of us actually stumbled into me. So, I requested them what was up. They defined that it truly does make a significant distinction to maneuver the needle even half a level right here, however for essentially the most half, using the cooling vests right here on this stage was extra about getting riders used to the timing/protocol on the race.
Of observe, 7 groups within the Tour de France this yr are formally utilizing CORE sensors (which means, formally introduced CORE as a provider/companion). Although unofficially, nearly each group (or riders from nearly each group) this yr is definitely utilizing them in both coaching or racing.
After which lastly, there was this random just-announced and but now lonely Elite Justo coach close to the end chute space (which could be very removed from the beginning space). It sat simply apart an inflatable sofa, on the sting of a puddle that was undoubtedly far bigger a short while earlier. I’m unsure why this coach was right here, or if it was ever used. Actually, it wouldn’t shock me if it’s nonetheless there, days later, sitting subsequent to that mud puddle. Somebody ought to have caught an AirTag on that factor.
With that – onto extra tech down the street in additional levels. Loads nonetheless available! Thanks for studying, and because of all of the DCR readers/viewers who stated Hello up in Copenhagen – it was superior to run into so a lot of you!