The Tour de France (opens in new tab) doesn’t only mean three weeks of exciting racing. It also guarantees the launch of new products and special colourways as brands take advantage of the unparalleled global attention. In modern times at least, the Grande Boucle is also the big shop window.
So on the opening day of the 109th edition, it’s only right that this week’s round-up has a distinct Tour flavour to it.
We start with news of a competition to design the paint scheme for the official bike of the Tour de France. Could your design grace the Champs-Élysées?
Next up, Team EF Education’s Cannondale bikes. While not new products per se they’re decked out as part of the fresh livery designed by Rapha and Palace skateboards and will be used throughout the race.
We’ve also got a new Bollé helmet that’ll be worn by one of the French wild card teams, B&B Hotels-KTM and artificial intelligence-designed sunglasses that Groupama-FDJ riders will be sporting.
Finally, THAT aero CeramicSpeed pulley wheel system again – but this time resplendent in Danish colours in honour of the Grand Départ in Copenhagen.
Colnago competition will see fan-designed paint job arrive in Paris
(Image credit: Colnago)
Tadej Pogačar heads into the Tour de France trying to do something only eight (well, nine if you’re counting Lance) riders have done before him: win three overall titles. That the Slovenian is hoping to achieve these wins consecutively and all before the age of 24, only serves to highlight his otherworldly talents.
So, potentially, who better to design a bike for than the defending champion? Colnago, who sponsor Pogacar’s UAE Emirates team, are once again the designated Official Bike of the Tour de France. To celebrate this accolade the venerated Italian brand is offering the opportunity to design a paint scheme for its unreleased Prototipo bike (opens in new tab) that Pog and his teammates will be racing in this year’s Tour. The winning design will then be used on a bike ridden by one of the UAE Emirates team during the last stage to Paris before the one-of-a-kind machine is auctioned off.
As a bike racing fan seeing your design heading down the Champs-Élysées is quite the prize. To find out more about the competition and how to enter visit https://colnagotdf.carrd.co/ (opens in new tab)
EF Education celebrate the Tour de France Femmes with another Rapha x Palace collaboration
(Image credit: Cannondale / @gustavthuesen | Gustav Thuesen)
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