The Tour de France (opens in new tab)‘s opening weekend gives cycling fans an opportunity to eyeball the latest and greatest tech from the professional teams.
There were state-of-the-art new bikes from the big Italian arch-rivals Pinarello (opens in new tab)and Colnago (opens in new tab) that we saw battling it out on stage one.
Custom carbon components like moulded time trial arm rests are delightful details that we also love to fawn over.
What stole the show – but unfortunately for its manufacturer not the win – was the new Specialized S-Works TT5 time trial helmet (opens in new tab). The radically bulbous design that incorporates a Gregory Porter-esque built-in balaclava, or ‘head sock’, was worn by all the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl riders except Yves Lampaert, who swept over the line to take the first yellow jersey (opens in new tab) beating big favourites Filippo Ganna, Wout van Aert, Tadej Pogacar et al… wearing the outgoing snoodless version.
Let’s take a look at that new lid and other shiny new things photographed exclusively for Cycling Weekly by Dan Cavallari.
(Image credit: Dan Cavallari)
(Image credit: Dan Cavallari)
The Specialized S-Works TT5 helmet incorporates a balaclava-style face wrap that covers the rider’s chin, ears, and back of the head. This supposedly smooths out the air over the rider’s face, further enhancing aerodynamics.
The back of the helmet features what appears to be an exhaust port – quite welcome as we imagine in warmer conditions things will be getting a little stuffy in there.
Mads Pedersen’s custom moulded TT bars and sandpaper-enhanced saddle
(Image credit: Dan Cavallari)
(Image credit: Dan Cavallari)
(Image credit: Dan Cavallari)
Former world champion and Danish favourite – or one of them – Mads Pedersen sported a unique cockpit on his Trek Speed Concept. It appeared to be custom-molded but we understand it was made by Trek’s in-house component brand Bontrager.
The SRAM bar end shifters integrate neatly into the tips of the extensions, which meet the main body of the extensions. That part is much thicker to support Pedersen’s forearms.
The extensions also feature an integrated computer mount.
Pedersen finished with a strong sixth place just 15 seconds behind winner Yves Lampaert and a fraction of a second ahead of the other big Danish favourite Jonas Vingegaard.
(Image credit: Dan Cavallari)
(Image credit: Dan Cavallari)
Contrasting with the slippery cockpit, Pedersen used rough tape on his saddle to prevent his body…