This week, Cyclingnews‘ tech correspondent, Will Jones, is sunbathing working exhausting within the Spanish sunshine of Alicante, the present momentary dwelling to the vast majority of the World’s skilled biking groups. Every December, increasingly professional groups and riders migrate to the idyllic surroundings of the Spanish east coast the place easy roads, heat climate and mountainous climbs mix to create the proper base for a winter coaching camp.
One such workforce is UAE Group Emirates, led by their two-time Tour de France winner, Tadej Pogačar. Following a day of testing Pogačar’s new bike – the model new Colnago V4Rs – on the native roads together with the Col des Charges, Will talked his means into the workforce’s underground automobile park makeshift service course. There, he was given permission to {photograph} the very bike – or no less than one among them – that the Slovenian will use for his tilt at regaining his yellow jersey in 2023.
Scroll on for particulars on Pogačar’s bike, together with his gearing and tyre alternative.
The makeshift service course was a hive of exercise as Pogačar’s bike was balanced in opposition to a pedal stand for our images (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
We weren’t allowed to weigh it, however Colnago says the bike, in the same spec, will hit the authorized minimal of 6.8kg. That is in keeping with the standard weight of a Tour de France bike. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
The mannequin title, following in sequence from the V3Rs, is V4Rs.
When you’re questioning how a lot a Tour de France bike prices, we’ve got a full characteristic masking varied examples. A Group Version of this bike is accessible at the price of EUR 15,260. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
This could possibly be the very bike Pogačar rides to Tour de France success in 2023. A whole lot of coaching effort, and a little bit of luck stands between now and that taking place, although. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
One of many largest modifications for 2023 is the workforce’s change from Campagnolo to Shimano. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
This sees a swap from Campagnolo’s Tremendous Report EPS 12 groupset – seen right here on Pogačar’s 2022 Tour de France bike – to Shimano’s Dura-Ace Di2 12 (the 12 denoting the variety of gears on the cassette) (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
The 54-40 denotes the variety of enamel on the 2 chainrings. It’s attainable to swap the interior chainring to one thing completely different, so it is not a assure that he is working a 40T right here. A smaller chainring could be simpler to show, and with mountains close by in Alicante, there’s an opportunity he is gone smaller. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
On the again, the 12-speed Shimano Dura-Ace cassette appears to be an 11-30T, with a Dura-Ace chain too (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
One other big change for 2023 is the swap away from Campagnolo’s wheels in favour of American model Enve (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Fitted right here on the coaching camp are Enve 45 wheels, previously often known as Basis 45. Nevertheless, when racing commences, he’ll nearly definitely change to the lighter, extra aerodynamic – and costlier – Enve SES 4.5 wheels. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
This is a wider have a look at these wheels (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
There’s additionally a swap from Pirelli tyres to Continental (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Continental’s greatest street bike tyre in the meanwhile is the GP5000 S TR, and it appears as if Pogačar is at present utilizing interior tubes as an alternative of tubeless. In doing this, mechanics have fitted tape across the valve to cease it rattling (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Up entrance, the cockpit is made by Colnago, not Deda just like the final bike (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Richard Mille is not a motorbike producer, nor a cockpit producer, however a workforce sponsor whose experience lies in designer watches. Maintain an eye fixed out on Pogačar’s wrist and also you may spot him sporting one throughout occasional races. Julian Alaphilippe wears them too, once in a while. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
On the entrance of the cockpit lies an out-front mount with an adaptor for a Wahoo pc; a change from the SRM computer systems the workforce have used in recent times. That is completely different to the built-in aero mount that may be purchased for the brand new Colnago, so maybe that is too heavy for Pogačar, or maybe it is unavailable proper now. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
His crank size is 172.5mm, which is kind of normal for his peak, although some riders select to go shorter for consolation causes (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
The Elite Customized Race Plus are a favorite amongst professional groups. They’re carbon fibre, and weigh round 40g every (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
A threaded backside bracket is usually simpler to take care of than pressfit. It is also much less prone to exit of alignment and trigger creaking (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Every workforce has the rider’s title – often accompanied by their nationwide flag – printed onto each bike. That is to assist mechanics and riders discover the right bike amongst a sea of usually-identical bikes that solely differ by measurement and match. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Regardless of the provision of narrower handlebars, Pogačar has turned his shifter hoods inward to make them barely nearer collectively. That is stated to place the rider in a narrower extra aerodynamic place, however it may well additionally assist with consolation. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
The highest of the bars are a flat, aerodynamic form, with a rounded vanguard and a squared-off rear face. This can have been examined extensively within the wind tunnel and optimised for aerodynamics (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
The Colnago seatpost contains a small indentation. This might assist the submit flex below the rider’s weight, however Colnago does not say. If nothing else, it offers a neat placement for the gold Colnago brand. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
The ‘Membership’ brand has been seen on Colnago bikes for many years. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Pogačar has switched saddles for 2023. He beforehand used the Prologo M5 Scratch, however now he is utilizing a Prologo Dimension with the ‘PAS’ cutout down the centre (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Colnago does not make a seatpost with 0mm offset, so Pogačar has as an alternative had his saddle slammed as far ahead on the rails as attainable, previous the advisable restrict of the rails. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
