Tech discoveries from the Tour de France stage five time trial: ornate, peeling frame accompaniments, humongous sprocket sets, and an exorbitant £1,200 saddle among the highlights
Tour de France Time Trial Tech: Aerodynamics Take Centre Stage
In the world of professional cycling, every second counts, and the Tour de France is no exception. As the 2023 edition approaches, teams are fine-tuning their equipment to gain an edge in the time trials. This year, a clear trend emerges: an emphasis on aerodynamic efficiency over extreme weight reduction.
Aero-Optimized Bikes and Wheels
Teams are increasingly opting for aero bikes with deep-section wheels, even on mountainous routes. The rationale is simple: reducing drag typically saves more time than shaving weight. For instance, IPT's mechanics fitted covers to their riders' derailleurs to smooth the air, while Visma-Lease a Bike used 99mm deep rims in the time trial, significantly deeper than the norm of 60mm.
Bikes often feature aerodynamically shaped tubes and internal cable routing to minimise air resistance. High-modulus carbon fibers are chosen for an optimal stiffness-to-weight ratio. Ineos Grenadiers, for example, used 'experimental prototype' wheels from Princeton Carbonworks' Mach 7580, which went to market over a year ago and were designed with the input of former world champion Filippo Ganna.
Aero Focus Beyond the Bike
Aero optimisation extends beyond the bike itself. Riders are outfitted with aero helmets, skinsuits, and riding positions are optimised with detailed wind tunnel and computational fluid dynamics work. Aero wheels, like CeramicSpeed's OSPW Aero pulley cover, co-developed with aero experts Drag2Zero, are said to have "40% less friction compared to a stock derailleur, making it perfect for time trials or triathlons".
Team Time Trials
Although Team Time Trials (TTTs) have become less frequent in recent Tours, when used, teams invest heavily in aero tech and scientific preparation to maximise collective aerodynamic efficiency and pacing strategy.
Rider Particulars
Two-time Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard had the paint stripped from his Cérvelo P5 frame to save weight, while Primož Roglič used a chainring with 68 teeth in the time trial. Some riders, like Tobias Foss of Ineos Grenadiers, opted for a 66-tooth chainring. Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe believe that narrower bars are quicker against the clock.
Accessories and Preparation
Accessories like aero bottles and cages, produced by Italian brand Elite, are designed for time trials and triathlon events. Lidl-Trek used adapted, oval-shaped aero bottles and carbon cages for the time trial, which are available online for around £40. Across the team paddock, ice vests were commonplace on the backs of riders preparing for their time trials to keep their core body temperature down and prevent overheating.
In short, Tour de France time trial tech teams increasingly adopt an aero-first approach with aero frames, wheels, and rider positioning, combining this with advanced carbon layup and minimal weight gains rather than radical weight cuts. Aerodynamics typically outweigh weight savings in terms of race impact across varied course profiles.
The first time trial in the Tour de France history was 33km long and was won by Remco Evenepoel from Soudal Quick-Step. Tadej Pogačar, another contender for this year's Tour, had a matte black TT bike but lacked the small, red painted details on the forks. Some riders, like Tim van Dijke from Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, prefer a more upright position, with 18 spacers to prop him up. Wattshop's Delta extension system, used by Primož Roglič, has single-sided arm rests designed to strap the arms as close together as possible.
As the Tour de France approaches, teams will continue to push the boundaries of technology and aerodynamics to gain those precious seconds that could mean the difference between victory and defeat.
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