Years of intense training and sticking to a strict nutritional plan helps in becoming an elite cyclist. But there are also many equally important technological advantages available to the cyclists at the Tour de France.
In recent years, there has been an increase in tech developments, which allow for cyclists to ride faster and make one of the toughest cycling events on the globe, a bit more comfortable. These tech innovations provide riders with significant advantages over their competitors or riders from generations past. With it becoming clear that a few seconds or millimeters shaved off during the course of a race makes enormous differences in time, energy expenditure, and overall success, small changes to the riders’ equipment can make the difference between second place and the coveted yellow jersey.
For a team to implement new tech within their riders’ set-up, it is not as simple as just making changes.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the governing body of cycling, must accept the proposed technological innovation prior to use in the Tour de France. As stated in the UCI Technical Regulations, teams must submit technological innovations prior to the race. Failure to do so will result in the guilty rider being removed from the race:
“If at the start of a competition or stage the Commissaires panel considers that a rider arrives with a technical innovation or an equipment not yet accepted by the UCI, it shall refuse to permit the rider to start with such an innovation.”
Despite the strict regulations set by UCI, manufacturers are constantly conjuring up new and imaginative ways to make riders faster. One of the most important technological innovations in cycling and the Tour de France was the application of carbon fiber composites to the cycling world. The carbon fiber bike frame provides the riders with a lightweight bike and a more comfortable ride due to the carbon fiber shock absorbing properties.
The introduction of carbon fiber bike frames in 1986 has caused a dramatic change in bike design, forcing governing bodies to place a minimum weight limit on the bike of 6.8kg (14.9 lbs). This minimum weight limit essentially signifies a cut off point where the UCI is saying that even though technology can make bikes lighter and faster than this 6.8kg minimum limit, they want to keep the playing field as even as possible despite potential technological advantages.
Also, the introduction of electronic gear shifting another one of the most revolutionary technological advancements in recent Tour de France history. The high-end (£1700+) Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic transmission allows users to have a smoother shift as well as save essential time and energy. The electronic shifting system requires literally the touch of a button to seamlessly change gear – effortless and repeatable.
But wait, it must weigh a lot and make the bike too heavy?
Nope, the system only adds an additional 50g to the bike.
When discussing repeatedly shaving milliseconds over the course of a race, the bike is not the only important component that receives special tech attention. In the last few years, there has been a shift away from helmets primarily concerned with providing ventilation for the riders, towards helmets that give an ‘aerodynamic’ advantage over other competitors. Manufacturers such as Bell and Kask have been developing helmets that are more aerodynamically ‘competitive’ but also give riders the option to receive some much needed ventilation. Bell even goes so far as to claim that their Star Pro Helmet can put riders 1.5m ahead of their opponents over a 300m sprint!
One of the simpler technologies at this year’s Tour de France is the introduction of the bottle vest. The simple bottle vest which has been produced by Sportful allows the support rider to transport filled bottles from the team car to the contending riders. Previously riders literally had bottles stuffed down their race jerseys meaning that when they reached their teammates they had to cumbersomely remove the bottles from under their jerseys and hand them out. The simple new system allows for the support team to prepare the bottle vests and hand them to the ‘water boy’ who can safely hand out the much appreciated H20.
Technology at Le Tour has also impacted the fans watching at home. This year has seen the use of bike-cams for the first time, giving the fans a view from a completely new perspective. The micro-cameras are placed on the front and back of selected rider’s bikes which gives you a real feel for how intense and precise the riders must be to avoid collisions. The use of cameras in other sports is becoming more common. In Rugby the official is fitted with a camera so you can get an appreciation of what they have to endure and navigate but it’s great to see a similar use in cycling which is giving the viewer some incredible footage from France.
Le Tour de France is the greatest cycling event on the planet, with the 2014 race covering a grueling 3664 kilometers over 21 stages; so no it’s not your average Sunday afternoon cycle with tea and cupcakes. Technology is clearly an intrinsic part of the sport and here to stay, with more and more developments every year that try to make it a little bit easier for the riders to complete the hardest ride of their life.