{"id":66687,"date":"2024-07-08T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/39a4c20d-e1c8-41d1-b038-a1245eca2538"},"modified":"2024-07-08T16:25:37","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T14:25:37","slug":"tadej-pogacars-colnago-v4rs-versus-jonas-vingegaards-cervelo-r5-2024-tour-de-france-gc-bike-head-to-head","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/tadej-pogacars-colnago-v4rs-versus-jonas-vingegaards-cervelo-r5-2024-tour-de-france-gc-bike-head-to-head\/","title":{"rendered":"Tadej Poga\u010dar\u2019s Colnago V4Rs versus Jonas Vingegaard\u2019s Cerv\u00e9lo R5 | 2024 Tour de France GC bike head-to-head"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"rssexcerpt\">Will one of these bikes win the 2024 Tour de France? <\/p><p class=\"rssauthor\">By Simon von Bromley\n      <\/p><p class=\"rssbyline\">Published: Monday, 08 July 2024 at 14:00 PM<\/p><hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\" standalone=\"yes\"?>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><p>As we come to the end of the first week of the 2024 Tour de France, the fight for the yellow jersey hangs in the balance.<\/p><p>The two main contenders, Tadej Poga\u010dar and Jonas Vingegaard, have traded salvos but neither has yet landed a decisive blow.<\/p><p>As ever, though, the question on everyone\u2019s lips is\u2026 Who has the best bike?<\/p><p>We got hands-on with Vingegaard\u2019s custom-painted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/bikes\/road-bikes\/cervelo-r5-disc-force-etap-axs-review\">Cerv\u00e9lo R5<\/a> and Poga\u010dar\u2019s decked-out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/bikes\/road-bikes\/colnago-v4rs-dura-ace-di2-review\">Colnago V4Rs<\/a> ahead of the start of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/events\/tour-de-france\">2024 Tour de France<\/a>, in Florence, Italy.<\/p><p>So, let\u2019s check the bikes out.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Crucial Tour De France Bikes: Poga\u010dar Vs Vingegaard\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qQFXArSDO5I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-frameset-aero-and-lightweight-or-lightweight-and-aero\">Frameset | Aero and lightweight or lightweight and aero?<\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-jonas-vingegaard-s-cervelo-r5\">Jonas Vingegaard\u2019s Cerv\u00e9lo R5<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jonas Vingegaard has a fleet of Cerv\u00e9lo road bikes available to him for the Tour, including this R5. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>With Visma-Lease a Bike still sponsored by Cerv\u00e9lo, Vingeegard gets to pick between three road framesets.<\/p><p>At this year\u2019s race, we saw his lightweight climbing bike, the R5.<\/p><p>A true classic of the road-racing genre, its traditional silhouette hasn\u2019t changed all that much since it debuted in 2003.<\/p><p>Nevertheless, a host of subtle updates makes it a formidable machine. When we tested <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/bikes\/road-bikes\/cervelo-r5-disc-force-etap-axs-review\">the latest, disc-brake equipped model<\/a> in 2022, we found it could still cut it with the best \u2013 at least on its favoured, mountainous terrain.<\/p><p>Disc brakes aside, it uses Cerv\u00e9lo\u2019s \u2018Squoval\u2019 (an amalgamation of \u2018square\u2019 and \u2018oval\u2019) tube shapes \u2013 effectively truncated aerofoils \u2013 to keep drag low, while the cables are fully integrated up front.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Jonas-Vingegaard_Cervelo-R5_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0272-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-871361\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Visma-Lease a Bike have opted for Renaissance-inspired paintjobs and kit for the 2024 Tour. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>That aside, the R5\u2019s primary focus is on low weight, high stiffness and excellent handling. Cerv\u00e9lo says it\u2019s a bike that\u2019s as good going downhill as it is going up.<\/p><p>Putting a figure on it, Cerv\u00e9lo claims a painted, size-56cm R5 frame weighs only 730g.<\/p><p>As well as the R5, Vingegaard can choose between the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/bikes\/road-bikes\/cervelo-s5-force-etap-axs-review\">Cerv\u00e9lo S5<\/a> \u2013 the brand\u2019s dedicated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/best-aero-road-bike\">aero road bike<\/a> \u2013 and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/bikes\/road-bikes\/cervelo-soloist-ultegra-di2-review\">Soloist<\/a>, its all-rounder.<\/p><p>For this year\u2019s Tour, the Visma-Lease a Bike team bikes have special-edition blue paintjobs, with a Renaissance-inspired design that pays tribute to the 2024 Grand Depart in Florence.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Jonas-Vingegaard_Cervelo-R5_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0273-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-871363\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Although it&#8217;s a climbing bike with a traditional silhouette, it nevertheless has plenty of aerodynamic optimisations. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>So far at this year\u2019s Tour, Vingegaard has started every road stage aboard the S5 \u2013 including stage 4, which involved 3,600m of climbing and the fearsome Col du Galibier.<\/p><p>Given <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/features\/pro-bike\/2023-tour-de-france-bike-weights\">Vingegaard\u2019s 2023 Cerv\u00e9lo S5 weighed only 7.195kg<\/a>, his 2024 S5 \u2013 which has been upgraded with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/news\/new-sram-red-axs\">SRAM\u2019s new \u201cworld\u2019s lightest\u201d Red AXS groupset<\/a> \u2013 is likely competitively light too.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2432\" height=\"1622\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Cervelo-S520230630SvBA6300BR2881-4dff691-edited.jpg\" alt=\"Jonas Vingegaard's Cerv\u00e9lo S5\" class=\"wp-image-871394\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Vingegaard can also choose Cerv\u00e9lo&#8217;s S5 aero road bike, seen here at the 2023 Tour de France.<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Nevertheless, that\u2019s still a few hundred grams over the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/features\/tech\/should-the-uci-bike-weight-limit-be-changed\">UCI\u2019s minimum bike weight limit of 6.8kg<\/a>. Considering how light his R5 is (more on this later), we suspect he may still opt to ride the climbing bike on the savage mountain stages that litter the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/features\/tour-de-france-2024-preview\">second and third weeks of this year\u2019s Tour<\/a>.<\/p><p>Visma-Lease a Bike riders have typically turned to the all-rounder bike for the toughest cobbled classics, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/features\/tech\/2024-paris-roubaix-tech\">Paris-Roubaix<\/a>, because it offers a more comfortable ride than the S5.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tadej-pogacar-s-colnago-v4rs\">Tadej Poga\u010dar\u2019s Colnago V4Rs<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1706\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0101-edited-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871397\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France is anything but stock.<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>As with last year, Poga\u010dar is riding Colnago\u2019s all-rounder race bike, the V4Rs.<\/p><p>Like Vingegaard\u2019s Cerv\u00e9lo, Poga\u010dar\u2019s Colnago has got a new paintjob. It\u2019s fair to say the Colango is the more subtle of the two, though, with just some white, red and green accents added to the base matt black.<\/p><p>Unlike with Visma-Lease a Bike, the UAE Team Emirates team has only one bike to choose from \u2013 there\u2019s no hyper-light climbing bike for the high mountains, or dedicated aero road bike for sprint stages.<\/p><p>In theory, Poga\u010dar could opt for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/news\/2022-colnago-c68\">classically styled Colnago C68<\/a>, but given it\u2019s both heavier and less aerodynamic than the V4Rs, we don\u2019t see that as a likely scenario.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0116-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871322\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The V4Rs frameset hasn&#8217;t changed since last year, but the UAE Team Emirates bikes have subtly updated paintjobs. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>The V4Rs carries a claimed weight of 795g for an unpainted, size-50s frame.<\/p><p>According to Colnago, though, the V4Rs is only around 12g lighter than the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/news\/colnago-v3rs-tadej-pogacar\">Tour-winning V3Rs<\/a> as a frameset kit (frame, fork, Colnago\u2019s own integrated handlebar and headset).<\/p><p>On the other hand, Colnago says the V4Rs is around 3 per cent more aerodynamic than its predecessor, which is claimed to save around 13 watts at race speeds.<\/p><p>In race trim, Poga\u010dar\u2019s bike could be even more aerodynamic than the stock V4Rs because it&#8217;s equipped with ENVE\u2019s SES Pro Team One-Piece handlebar, instead of the stock integrated bar from Colnago.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0120-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871330\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Poga\u010dar and his teammates are using ENVE&#8217;s SES Pro Team One-Piece handlebar. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>As we wrote last year, there may be an element of compromise with a \u2018one bike fits all\u2019 approach.<\/p><p>On the flatter and more rolling races, for example, Poga\u010dar could theoretically stand to save significant amounts of energy with a more aerodynamic bike \u2013 even if it were heavier.<\/p><p>On the other hand, many leading road bike brands have moved to making singular bikes that are claimed to be both lightweight and aerodynamic, with little compromise between the two.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0104-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-871315\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Poga\u010dar only has one real option when it comes to a bike for the Tour, but that&#8217;s not necessarily a bad thing. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Specialized arguably kick-started this trend with the release of its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/bikes\/road-bikes\/specialized-s-works-tarmac-sl7-review\">S-Works Tarmac SL7<\/a> in 2021 (which was followed by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/bikes\/road-bikes\/specialized-s-works-tarmac-sl8-dura-ace-di2-review-2\">SL8<\/a> last year), while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/news\/2025-trek-madone\">Trek\u2019s new eighth-generation Madone SLR<\/a> follows this trend too.<\/p><p>It\u2019s also fair to say that while multiple bikes might enable a rider to optimise more specifically for each individual race, or even stage, it creates additional, potentially stressful, dilemmas.\u00a0<\/p><p>Having only one bike, that\u2019s good at everything (in theory), and perhaps changing wheels and tyres to suit the day&#8217;s parcours, can help simplify things for riders.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-drivetrains-sram-versus-shimano\">Drivetrains | SRAM versus Shimano<\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-vingegaard-s-new-sram-red-axs\">Vingegaard\u2019s new SRAM Red AXS<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Jonas-Vingegaard_Cervelo-R5_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0262-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Jonas Vingegaard's Cervelo R5 for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871327\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s Cervelo R5 is equipped with the new SRAM Red AXS groupset. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>SRAM is still a Visma-Lease a Bike sponsor, but this year the team is running the brand\u2019s new flagship <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/components\/groupsets\/groupset-road\/sram-red-axs-review\">Red AXS groupset<\/a>.<\/p><p>According to SRAM, the new groupset shaves 154g off the previous-generation version \u2013 a significant amount for a yellow jersey contender \u2013 while also bringing improved ergonomics and front shifting.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Jonas-Vingegaard_Cervelo-R5_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0279-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Jonas Vingegaard's Cervelo R5 for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871368\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The alll-black chainrings are larger than those you&#8217;d find on bikes in your local shop. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>When we photographed Vingegaard\u2019s R5 prior to the race start, it was equipped with a 2x drivetrain with a climbing-friendly (by pro standards) set of 52\/39t chainrings up front and a wide, 10-36t cassette out back.<\/p><p>Of course, while a 52t chainring appears to buck the current trend for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/features\/tech\/why-are-pros-using-such-big-chainrings\">big chainrings in the pro peloton<\/a>, it\u2019s worth remembering that, when combined with a 10t sprocket, it still offers an enormous effective gear ratio (roughly equivalent to a 57x11t).<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Jonas-Vingegaard_Cervelo-R5_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0264-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-871331\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Because it&#8217;s his climbing bike, Vingegaard has a super-wide, 10-36t cassette out back. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Just as he did last year, Vingegaard has been swapping between 2x and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/1x-drivetrains\">1x drivetrains<\/a> at this year\u2019s Tour \u2013 even opting for 1x for the Col du Galibier on stage 4.<\/p><p>Considering the speed at which the front group raced that stage (Poga\u010dar, who crested the summit of the Galibier around 7 seconds ahead of Vingegaard, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.strava.com\/activities\/11791347633#3243257714873020858\">smashed the KOM on the segment<\/a>, taking 18 seconds off the previous record), we can only assume Vingegaard decided an inner chainring and a front derailleur was simply dead weight.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Jonas-Vingegaard_Cervelo-R5_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0274-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Jonas Vingegaard's Cervelo R5 for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871364\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Vingegaard has upgraded from SRAM Force AXS shifters to the new Red ones. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Up front, it\u2019s notable that Vingegaard has opted to use the new and improved SRAM Red AXS shifters.<\/p><p>At last year\u2019s race, he opted for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/components\/groupsets\/groupset-road\/sram-force-axs-review\">Force AXS<\/a> shifters (with pro graphics, naturally), due to their smaller shape and slightly lower weight than the old <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/components\/groupsets\/groupset-road\/sram-12-speed-red-etap-axs-hrd-review\">Red eTap AXS<\/a> shifters.<\/p><p>As expected, Vingegaard\u2019s bike was also equipped with a SRAM Red AXS <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/best-power-meters\">power meter<\/a> spider, which remains integrated with the chainrings for improved stiffness.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pogacar-s-upgraded-dura-ace\">Poga\u010dar\u2019s upgraded Dura-Ace<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0108-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871316\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s team uses Shimano&#8217;s flagship Dura-Ace, with plenty of upgrades. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Because Shimano hasn\u2019t updated its flagship offering this year, Poga\u010dar was once again using the Japanese brand\u2019s 12-speed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/components\/groupsets\/groupset-road\/shimano-dura-ace-di2-r9200-review\">Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 groupset<\/a>.<\/p><p>Unlike Vingegaard, but like most Shimano-sponsored riders, Poga\u010dar has stuck with 2x setups for every road stage so far, only switching to 1x for the time trial on stage 7.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0109-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871317\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">UAE Team Emirates is lucky enough to count CarbonTi as an official supplier. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>This may simply be his preference, though given we see relatively little experimentation with 1x from Shimano-sponsored teams, we suspect it has more to do with the Japanese brand not officially supporting it on its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/road-bike-groupsets-everything-you-need-to-know\">road bike groupsets<\/a> (and therefore not wishing to advertise it as a feature).<\/p><p>In contrast, riders on many SRAM-sponsored teams switch frequently between 1x and 2x setups, depending on the race and their individual preferences, with the American brand making a much greater effort to embrace the technology in recent years.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0113-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-871319\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Poga\u010dar opts for big chainrings up front, with a wide cassette at the rear. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>As was the case last year, Poga\u010dar\u2019s V4Rs is equipped with 54\/40t CarbonTi X-CarboRing EVO chainrings up front, with an 11-34t Shimano Dura-Ace cassette out back.<\/p><p>Though it might seem hard to fathom, Poga\u010dar\u2019s 2024 race bike is equipped with even more bling than last year\u2019s.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/UAE-Team-Emirates_Direct-mount-derailleur-hanger_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0152-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Direct mount rear derailleur hanger on a UAE Team Emirates Colnago V4Rs at the 2024 Tour de France Grand Depart\" class=\"wp-image-871399\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s primary race bike is equipped with a direct-mount rear derailleur hanger. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>The bike we were given to photograph (his number 5 bike, according to a sticker on the rear of the seat tube) had a standard derailleur hanger, but his race bike is equipped with a red-anodised direct-mount hanger made by Framesandgear.<\/p><p>Made from CNC aluminium (and costing \u20ac50), Framesandgear says its direct-mount hanger improves shifting thanks to its improved stiffness (compared to a standard derailleur hanger), while Shimano says its direct-mount derailleur design helps speed up rear-wheel changes.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0144-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871362\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This may be Poga\u010dar&#8217;s fifth bike, but it still gets a bottom bracket upgraded with ceramic bearings. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>The bike was also equipped with a \u20ac399 Bikeone PowerSet T47 bottom bracket with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/features\/ceramic-bearings\">ceramic bearings<\/a>, in place of a CeramicSpeed one for last year\u2019s Tour.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-wheels-and-tyres-ballooning-tyres-and-new-sizes\">Wheels and tyres | Ballooning tyres and new sizes<\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-vingegaard-s-29c-vittorias\">Vingegaard\u2019s 29c Vittorias<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Jonas-Vingegaard_Cervelo-R5_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0261-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Jonas Vingegaard's Cervelo R5 for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871326\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Visma-Lease a Bike is using wheels from Reserve, paired with Vittoria tyres. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>While VIngegaard was one of only a few riders using tubular tyres at last year\u2019s race, his 2024 R5 was equipped with Reserve 42|49 tubeless wheels and a set of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/components\/tyres\/road-bike-tyres\/vittoria-corsa-pro-tlr-tyre-review\">Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR<\/a> tyres.<\/p><p>Though nominally a mid-depth, all-rounder wheelset, they carry a competitive claimed weight of 1,341g (with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/features\/stealthy-dt-swiss-180-hubs-bivis-retro-bunker-uniors-hanger-genie-and-the-sensual-vibrating-pulseroll\">DT Swiss 180 hubs<\/a>).<\/p><p>Notably, though, the tyres were a size 700x29c \u2013 something we hadn&#8217;t seen before, and which, according to Vittoria\u2019s website, isn\u2019t officially part of its range.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Jonas-Vingegaard_Cervelo-R5_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0280-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Jonas Vingegaard's Cervelo R5 for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871370\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Vingegaard&#8217;s bike was curiously equipped with 700x29c Vittoria tyres \u2013 is that a new size? &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>If we had to guess (and who doesn\u2019t love a little speculation), we suspect this could be something to do with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/features\/tech\/de-gendt-uae-tour-crash-are-hookless-rims-safe\">Thomas De Gendt\u2019s crash at the 2024 UAE Tour<\/a>, which involved a Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR tyre blowing off a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/features\/hookless-rims-road-tubeless\">hookless rim<\/a> (a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/components\/wheels\/wheel-sets\/zipp-353-nsw-wheelset-review\">Zipp 353 NSW<\/a>, in that instance).<\/p><p>Though <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/news\/vittoria-statement-de-gendt-crash-hookless-rims\">Vittoria later claimed the incident was unrelated to the fact the rim had been hookless<\/a>, the UCI nevertheless opened an investigation into the safety (or otherwise) of such rims.\u00a0<\/p><p>While the findings of that investigation have yet to be published, the UCI issued a directive stipulating all teams must adhere to the latest ISO and ETRTO guidelines pertaining to compatible rim and tyre size combinations.<\/p><p>Specifically, teams should no longer use tyres smaller than 29c on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/rim-width-explained-for-road-bikes-mountain-bikes-and-gravel-bikes\">rims with 25mm internal widths<\/a>, whether hooked or hookless.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Jonas-Vingegaard_Cervelo-R5_Tour-de-France-2024_-148-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-871383\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The 29c tyres measured up a little larger on the wide Reserve rims. &#8211; George Scott \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Because few tyre manufacturers make 29c tyres, that meant sizing up to heavier and potentially less aerodynamic 30c tyres for any teams with wide rims\u2026 one of which is Visma-Lease a Bike, whose Reserve wheels have progressively wide internal widths.<\/p><p>The 42|49 wheels, for example, have a 25.4mm-wide front rim, paired with a 24.8mm-wide rear.<\/p><p>On these rims, the 29c tyres measured up at 29.7mm wide front and rear.<\/p><p>Has Vittoria created this 29c size specifically to satisfy the exacting demands of its sponsored professional teams, then? At the moment, we\u2019re not sure, but we\u2019ll update this article if we can find out more.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Jonas-Vingegaard_Cervelo-R5_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0266-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Jonas Vingegaard's Cervelo R5 for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871336\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">As well as the 42|49s, we expect to see Vingegaard using various wheels and tyres designed to optimise for the parcours of each stage. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>As with last year\u2019s race, we\u2019re likely to see Vingegaard switching wheels and tyres throughout the race to optimise for individual stages.<\/p><p>We may also see him use Vittoria\u2019s time-trial specific <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/news\/vittoria-corsa-pro-speed-tlr\">Corsa Pro Speed TLR<\/a> tyres outside the two time trials.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pogacar-s-updated-enves-and-super-wide-tyres\">Poga\u010dar\u2019s updated ENVEs and super-wide tyres<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1706\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0101-1-edited-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-871404\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s ENVE wheels have received a subtle update for 2024.<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>As with last year, Poga\u010dar\u2019s bike for the 2024 Tour is equipped with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/components\/wheels\/wheel-sets\/enve-ses-4-5-wheelset-review\">ENVE SES 4.5 wheels<\/a> and wide Continental tyres.<\/p><p>The ENVE wheels have been subtly updated since last year, with the rim depths growing by a single millimetre to 50 and 56mm front and rear (respectively).<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0122-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871337\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The SES 4.5 wheels are as wide as ever, but rim depths have grown by a millimetre at either end. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Compared to Vingegaard\u2019s Reserve wheels, the ENVEs are around 100g heavier, at a claimed weight of 1,432g.<\/p><p>The internal width of the ENVE rims remains at 25mm. This perhaps explains the switch from the time-trial specific, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/features\/first-look-friday\/trek-ballista-continental-gp5000-tt-tr\">Continental GP5000 TT TR tyres<\/a> \u2013 which are only available in 700&#215;25 and 28c sizes \u2013 to the 700x30c <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/continental-grand-prix-5000-s-tr-review\">GP5000 S TR<\/a> (Continental&#8217;s all-rounder road tubeless tyre).<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0099-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871312\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s front tyre is so wide it would fail UCI checks at a cyclocross race. &#8211; Kai Eves \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>As with last year, these tyres were ballooning out to an astonishingly wide 32.5mm at the rear and 33.3mm up front \u2013 making them by far the largest tyres we saw at the 2024 Grand Depart.<\/p><p>Was Poga\u010dar\u2019s switch to wider tyres also prompted by the UCI\u2019s directive surrounding tyre and rim size combinations?<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0095-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871311\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s rear tyre was a little narrower, but perhaps it needed a top-up of air. &#8211; Kai Eves \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>It\u2019s possible, though, that we have spotted Poga\u010dar using the GP5000 TT TR tyres on what appear to be the SES 4.5 wheels on certain stages, so it\u2019s hard to know for sure. Maybe they&#8217;re simply hoping the commissaires won&#8217;t notice.<\/p><p>Either way, we expect Poga\u010dar will switch to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/news\/enve-ses-wheel-range\/\">ENVE\u2019s lighter 2.3 climbing wheels<\/a> for the hardest mountain stages, as he did last year.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-finishing-kit-even-more-bling-for-pogacar\">Finishing kit | Even more bling for Poga\u010dar<\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-visma-lease-a-bike-joins-the-wax-revolution\">Visma-Lease a Bike joins the wax revolution<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Jonas-Vingegaard_Cervelo-R5_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0269-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Vision Metron 5D Evo cockpit on Jonas Vingegaard's Cervelo R5 for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871351\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s Cervelo R5 is built up with mostly stock kit, but stock doesn&#8217;t mean cheap. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>In terms of finishing kit, Vingegaard has again stuck with mostly stock options from his team sponsors.<\/p><p>Of course, befitting a rider of his calibre and stature, everything is as high-end as you\u2019d expect.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Jonas-Vingegaard_Cervelo-R5_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0271-2-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Vision Metron 5D Evo cockpit on Jonas Vingegaard's Cervelo R5 for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871360\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jonas Vingegaard doesn&#8217;t have any headset spacers beneath his Vision integrated handlebar. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Up front, Vingegaard is using a $668.80 Vision Metron 5D ACR Evo integrated cockpit, with a 120mm stem and a 380mm handlebar width (measured centre to centre at the brake hoods).<\/p><p>According to Vision, this is its lightest integrated bar, weighing only 320g in a size 110x420mm.<\/p><p>Vision also says it features improved aerodynamics compared to its predecessor, thanks to a 1.5cm lower stack height.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Jonas-Vingegaard_Cervelo-R5_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0268-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Fizik Vento Antares 00 saddle on Jonas Vingegaard's Cervelo R5 for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871350\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">With a claimed weight of only 118g, Fizik&#8217;s Vento Antares 00 saddle is extremely light. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>At the rear, Vingegaard\u2019s saddle of choice remains Fizik\u2019s super-light Vento Antares 00 \u2013 which has a claimed weight of only 118g for the 140mm-wide model.<\/p><p>Vingegaard uses <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/news\/2021-wahoo-speedplay-pedals\">Wahoo Speedplay Aero pedals<\/a>, which feature single-sided entry and a dimpled underside for improved aerodynamic efficiency.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Jonas-Vingegaard_Wahoo-Speedplay-Aero-pedals_Tour-de-France-2024.jpg\" alt=\"Wahoo Speedplay Aero pedals on Jonas Vingegaard's Cervelo R5 for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871507\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Wahoo&#8217;s Speedplay Aero pedals have a standard Speedplay interface up top, with a dimple pattern underneath to reduce drag. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Looking to eke out every last watt, Vingegaard\u2019s bike was also equipped with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/workshop\/how-to-wax-a-chain\">waxed chain<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p><p>These potentially offer cleaner, more efficient running than standard, oil-based <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/chain-lubes\">chain lubricants<\/a>. However, the realities of being on the road for three weeks makes committing to this type of lubrication something of a logistical challenge for team mechanics.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Jonas-Vingegaard_Cervelo-R5_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0289-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Waxed SRAM Red AXS chain on Jonas Vingegaard's Cervelo R5 for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871379\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Visma-Lease a Bike is going the extra mile to provide Vingegaard with waxed chains for every stage. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Teams are looking for ways to overcome these hurdles, though. Lidl-Trek, for example, was spotted trialling a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/news\/cyclowax-prototype-automatic-chain-waxing-machine\">prototype automatic chain waxing machine<\/a> ahead of this year\u2019s race.<\/p><p>Lastly, Vingegaard\u2019s bike is equipped with Tacx Ciro bottle cages and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/training\/gps-computers\/cycle-computers\/garmin-edge-840-solar-review\">Garmin Edge 840 Solar bike computer<\/a>.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Jonas-Vingegaard_Cervelo-R5_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0291-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Tacx Ciro bottle cages on Jonas Vingegaard's Cervelo R5 for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871381\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Vingegaard relies on Tacx Ciro carbon cages to carry his water bottles. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-even-more-flashy-upgrades-for-pogacar\">Even more flashy upgrades for Poga\u010dar<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0127-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"ENVE SES Pro Team One-Piece handlebar on Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871345\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Poga\u010dar runs his ENVE cockpit slammed with a long stem and narrow handlebar. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>In contrast, Poga\u010dar\u2019s bike is anything but stock.<\/p><p>As already noted, it has ENVE\u2019s SES Pro Team One-Piece handlebar, with Poga\u010dar opting for a 130mm stem paired with a 360mm handlebar (again, measured centre to centre at the brake hoods).<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0126-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"ENVE SES Pro Team One-Piece handlebar on Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871344\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Poga\u010dar is still angling his brake levers in slightly. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>The Slovenian rider <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/features\/uci-bans-turned-in-brake-levers-what-next\">angles his shifters inwards slightly<\/a> (within the latest UCI regulations) for an even narrower effective position \u2013 we measured the distance between his brake hoods at a mere 31cm.<\/p><p>He also has Di2 sprint shifters positioned just beneath the brake hoods, enabling him to shift with his thumbs when holding the drops.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0129-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Sprint shifter on Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871347\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Poga\u010dar has a Di2 sprint shifter positioned just underneath each brake hood, on both drops. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>The bling doesn\u2019t stop there, though.<\/p><p>Poga\u010dar continues to use CarbonTi\u2019s X-Rotor SteelCarbon 3 carbon disc brake rotors, with 160 and 140mm rotors front and rear. These have a claimed weight of 98 and 86g each, and cost a whopping \u20ac220 per rotor.<\/p><p>This year, Poga\u010dar\u2019s bike has also been upgraded with AbsoluteBlack\u2019s Graphenpads.\u00a0<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0136-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"CarbonTi brake rotor on Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871357\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">CarbonTi brake rotors and AbsoluteBlack brake pads make for an expensive braking system. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Boldly claimed to be \u201cthe world\u2019s best disc brake pads\u201d, they have strikingly large cooling fins and are said to incorporate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/features\/graphene-bicycles-the-potential-future-of-composites\">graphene<\/a> into the brake carrier and pad compound, for improved braking performance, heat management and durability.<\/p><p>In line with their claimed performance, the Graphenpads cost a rather heady \u00a342.50 \/ $51.90 per set.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0117-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Colnago carbon seatpost on Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871323\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Colnago V4Rs has the stock Colnago seatpost this year. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>While Poga\u010dar appeared to be using an unbranded Darimo seatpost at last year\u2019s Tour, he seems to be back on a stock Colnago carbon seatpost this time.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0118-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Prologo Nago R4 saddle on Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871328\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Poga\u010dar has swapped to a Prologo Nago R4 saddle, which saves a little weight. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>He has also had a saddle upgrade, switching from his 180g (claimed) special-edition Prologo Scratch M5 to a Prologo Nago R4 147 with carbon rails, which is claimed to weigh 159g.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0111-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 pedals on Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871318\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shimano\u2019s Dura-Ace PD-R9100 SPD-SL pedals have a wide platform and are highly reliable. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>The cherries on the icing on the cake are a set of Elite Leggero Carbon bottle cages, Shimano\u2019s Dura-Ace PD-R9100 SPD-SL pedals and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/training\/gps-computers\/cycle-computers\/wahoo-elemnt-bolt-v2-review\">Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V2 bike computer<\/a>.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0123-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Wahoo Elemnt Bolt on Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871339\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Poga\u010dar uses a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V2 bike computer to track his data. &#8211; Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-weight-breaking-the-limit\">Weight | Breaking the limit<\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-vingegaard-s-illegally-light-climbing-bike\">Vingegaard\u2019s illegally light climbing bike<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Jonas-Vingegaard_Cervelo-R5_Tour-de-France-2024_-153-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Simon von Bromley weighing Jonas Vingegaard's Cervelo R5 for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871386\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The R5 is a true climber&#8217;s bike \u2013 and it shows on the scales. &#8211; George Scott \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Vingegaard has yet to ride this R5, but given its exceptionally low weight of 6.74kg, we wouldn\u2019t be surprised to see it break cover for a mountain stage at some point during this Tour.<\/p><p>No doubt many will have noticed that\u2019s less than the UCI\u2019s minimum bike weight limit of 6.8kg \u2013 meaning the team will have to find a way to add 60g at some point (or a way to fix his bike computer to the bike to make it a \u2018non-removable\u2019 component).<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Jonas-Vingegaard_Cervelo-R5_Tour-de-France-2024_-152-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Hanging scales showing the weight of Jonas Vingegaard's Cervelo R5 for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871385\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">As we saw it, Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s Cervelo R5 needs to find 60g of non-removable weight to be eligible to race. &#8211; George Scott \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pogacar-s-all-rounder\">Poga\u010dar\u2019s all-rounder<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0083-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Simon von Bromley weighing Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871307\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Colnago V4Rs weighs almost the same as it did at last year&#8217;s Tour. &#8211; Kai Eves \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>In spite of all that bling, Poga\u010dar\u2019s Colnago V4Rs still doesn\u2019t get close to the UCI\u2019s minimum bike weight limit, coming in at 7.27kg according to our scales.<\/p><p>That\u2019s a little heavier than the 7.245kg we recorded for his V4Rs ahead of the 2023 Tour, but that\u2019s easily explained away by the bigger, heavier tyres.<\/p><p>As we noted last year, switching to the lighter ENVE 2.3 wheels and perhaps some narrower, 25c GP500 TT TR tyres too, could save Poga\u010dar around 300g.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/07\/Tadej-Pogacar_Colnago-V4Rs_20240628_SvB_A6300_BR_0078-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Simon von Bromley weighing Tadej Poga\u010dar's Colnago V4Rs for the 2024 Tour de France\" class=\"wp-image-871306\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Colnago V4Rs weighs 470g more than the UCI&#8217;s minimum bike weight limit, but he has ways to get that figure down when it counts. &#8211; Kai Eves \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-which-bike-will-win-the-2024-tour-de-france\">Which bike will win the 2024 Tour de France?<\/h2><p>Let\u2019s not kid ourselves, while the equipment riders use matters a great deal, it remains the rider that wins the bike race.<\/p><p>At last year\u2019s Tour, Vingegaard put Poga\u010dar to the sword in the third week, eventually winning by a margin of more than seven minutes.<\/p><p>If this year\u2019s Tour remains a more finely balanced contest to the end, though, perhaps their differing tech choices could play a more significant role.<\/p><p>And what about young Remco Evenepoel? The 24-year-old Belgian has ridden a near-perfect race so far, winning the individual time trial on stage 7 and limiting his losses to Poga\u010dar elsewhere. As the race reaches its first rest day, he sits second overall in the general classification.<\/p><p>We also got hands-on with his custom-painted Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 at this year&#8217;s Grand Depart, so look out for an in-depth feature on that bike over the coming days.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The HOTTEST Bikes Of The Tour De France 2024\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pLY-rHPqMmk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Will one of these bikes win the 2024 Tour de France? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":66688,"template":"","categories":[1,36],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"21"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/07\/tadej-pogacars-colnago-v4rs-versus-jonas-vingegaards-cervelo-r5-2024-tour-de-france-gc-bike-head-to-head.jpg",2400,1600,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/07\/tadej-pogacars-colnago-v4rs-versus-jonas-vingegaards-cervelo-r5-2024-tour-de-france-gc-bike-head-to-head-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/07\/tadej-pogacars-colnago-v4rs-versus-jonas-vingegaards-cervelo-r5-2024-tour-de-france-gc-bike-head-to-head-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/07\/tadej-pogacars-colnago-v4rs-versus-jonas-vingegaards-cervelo-r5-2024-tour-de-france-gc-bike-head-to-head-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/07\/tadej-pogacars-colnago-v4rs-versus-jonas-vingegaards-cervelo-r5-2024-tour-de-france-gc-bike-head-to-head-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/07\/tadej-pogacars-colnago-v4rs-versus-jonas-vingegaards-cervelo-r5-2024-tour-de-france-gc-bike-head-to-head-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/07\/tadej-pogacars-colnago-v4rs-versus-jonas-vingegaards-cervelo-r5-2024-tour-de-france-gc-bike-head-to-head-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Will one of these bikes win the 2024 Tour de France?","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/66687"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/66688"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66687"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66687"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}