Saturday 16 July 2016 19:09, UK
The stage 13 time trial at the Tour de France will feature four exciting new innovations from Team Sky partners.
The stage 13 time trial at the Tour de France will feature four exciting new innovations from Team Sky partners.
The 37.5-kilometre test between Bourg-Saint-Andeol and La Caverne du Pont-d'Arc is expected to play a key role in shaping the race's general classification, with Chris Froome heading into the stage holding a lead of 47 seconds.
The Tour de France is not only the biggest bike race in the world, but also acts as a showcase for the most cutting-edge technology in the sport. For Team Sky this comes as a result of in-depth research and development in collaboration with our partners.
Carsten Jeppesen, Head of Technical Operations and Commercial, is clearly delighted with the level of support provided. He said: "At Team Sky we set our standards extremely high, and we are always striving for improvements and innovation. We are delighted that our partners recognise this and that they are willing to work with us and go the extra mile to support our ambitions. Time trials form a key part of this year's Tour and the specific support we've received from Pinarello, KASK, Elite and Rapha has been first class".
As a result Team Sky's riders will head down the start ramp:
- Riding the new and improved Pinarello Bolide time trial bike
- Debuting a brand new Kask Bambino PRO EVO time trial helmet
- Carrying the all-new Elite TT KIT (a revised bidon design in a brand new carbon cage)
- Wearing a cutting-edge new Rapha skinsuit design
Pinarello
The Tour marks the first time the full team will race using the new Bolide design. The benchmark for time trial bikes was improved further ahead of the Giro d'Italia in May, with Mikel Landa producing one of the best rides of his career aboard the new bike.
With a weight reduction of 350 grammes and further reductions in aerodynamic drag, the bike is a significant step on from the one that propelled Sir Bradley Wiggins and Vasil Kiryienka to two consecutive world time trial championship victories.
Made with exclusive Torayca T1100 1K carbon, the design blends functionality, aerodynamics, lightweight stiffness and aesthetics. It truly is a dream bike.
Kask
Kask continue their commitment of supplying Team Sky with a range of world-class helmets. With more choice than ever, the stage 13 time trial will be the first time that our riders can wear the new Bambino PRO EVO TT helmet which is a new addition to the family sitting alongside the highly regarded Bambino Pro.
Featuring an enhanced aerodynamic design and innovative boundary layer control, the striking new helmet gives riders increased choice and the best of both worlds. Combining long-tail benefits with short-tail robustness, the new curvature and cross-sectional profile of the tail make this helmet stand out.
Elite
An exclusive development for Team Sky, the new Elite TT KIT features a new lighter bidon and carbon cage.
Used for the first time on stage 13, this development amounts to the most aerodynamic bidon and cage combination ever used by the team, with a design fully integrated with that of the new Pinarello Bolide frame.
Rapha
Rapha's newest piece of racewear innovation is the fastest and most comfortable (for heat management) time trial skinsuit in the pro peloton. These new developments will ensure Froome and his Team Sky teammates a saving of up to 15 seconds over a 30-minute time trial compared to the previous generation skinsuit.
The product marks the pinnacle of a four-year relationship between Rapha and Team Sky, with aerodynamic improvements taken from the development process informing the entire Rapha Pro Team range.
Twenty-three prototype skinsuits were developed by Rapha to be tested in a wind tunnel, and on the track and road, with one of the world's leading aerodynamicists. The fastest skinsuit was then tested against a number of competitors' offerings to ensure its superior speed.
