Bianchi – Arkea
The brand new Bianchi Oltre RC at Arkea. This model differs from the marketed version by the absence of deflectors on the steering tube, an element prohibited by the UCI regulations.
Note the impressive cockpit with a counter support that takes place on the central opening.
Colnago – UAE
At UAE, it is of course the latest V4RS that is used by all riders, equipped with the Shimano Dura Ace Di2 drivetrain and ENVE wheels.
On the tire side, all the riders used Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR tubeless with fairly large sections, since whatever the stage, Tadej Pogacar’s teammates used 28 mm section and Tadej himself opted for 30 mm which measure almost 32 mm in real life.
This is enough to nail the beak to those who affirm loud and clear that sections beyond 26 mm cause a loss in performance and “stick” the runner.
At the level of the cockpits, there is the choice between the Colnago cockpit, Deda stems or Enve handlebars depending on the preferences of the riders.
While Shimano recommends unique chainring combinations for perfect operation, such as the 54×40, Tadej and other team members have taken a few liberties with a 54×36 combination. Given the result of Tadej on this Paris-Nice, it seems to work, but without knowing if the team benefits from specific trays.
On the maintenance side, we trust the Italian brand Walbike and for the lubrication of the transmission, we use UFO Drip from CeramicSpeed.
BMC – AG2R
No big changes at AG2R Citroën which remains faithful to BMC and Campagnolo. It is also the only World Tour team to be equipped with the transalpine transmission.
Campagnolo wheels fitted with Pirelli tires are included. Aurélien Paret Peintre even used the brand new Hyperon Ultra, without any denomination.
Cannondale – Education First
Unsurprisingly, the Education First team uses the brand new SuperSix EVO Lab71. A bike equipped with the Shimano Dura Ace Di2 transmission but with a K-Force crankset from FSA incorporating the Power2Max power meter. The hanger is the Vision Metron 5D cockpit.
DT-Swiss ARC1100 wheels with tubeless Vittoria Corsa Pro in 26 mm or 28 mm section.
The pedals are Wahoo Speedplay, one of the few teams to use them.
Mechanics have at their disposal the Silca Truth pressure gauge, which promises an accuracy of 0.2% for a price of 299 €
As the team is in partnership with Muc-Off, we find, unsurprisingly, the brand’s pretty tubeless valves that bring a colorful touch to the wheels. Lubrication is also devolved to Muc-Off.
Canyon – Alpecin Deceuninck
At Alpecin Deceuninck, the Canyon bikes (here Aeroad) sport a superb purple color, mixing a shiny metallic part and a matte part.
Canyon – Movistar
As with Alpecin, Movistar uses Canyon bikes, either the Aeroad or the Ultimate, all equipped with a SRAM Red drivetrain with 54/41 chainrings and Zipp NSW wheels.
From what I was able to see on this Paris-Nice, this team is the only one to be equipped with hookless rims (without hooks) and which also imposes a minimum section of 28 mm on the 353 NSW for example.
As a reminder, Zipp hookless rims are limited to a maximum pressure of 5 bars. Impossible to know if this recommendation is respected here, the mechanics not having wanted to give this information.
Some riders have made some modifications to their Fizik saddle to limit slippage of the shorts.
SRAM’s blips are used by all team riders to allow shifting with the hands at the top of the handlebar.
For the rest, not much to say, the bikes are identical to those of the 2022 season.
Brain – Jumbo Visma
At Jumbo Visma, most riders stuck with the S5, including Jonas Vingaard. The main change for this season is the switch to the SRAM drivetrain and Reserve wheels. Wheels with DT 240 hubs and Vittoria Corsa Pro tubeless tyres.
On the other hand, a sprain for the leader of the team, who rode on this Paris-Nice with tubular wheels without any registration, with DT 180 hubs.
Curiously, the UCI homologation list shows 4 new wheels homologated in recent months, including two “Tubular”. Jonas probably rode with these versions in development. No indication on the casings used, even if these strongly resemble, in terms of the design of their tread, Vittoria.
Cube – Intermarche Circus Wanty
Within the Intermarché Circus Wanty team, it is the CUBE Litening Aero TE 68X that is preferred by runners. Here, Lilian Calmejane’s bike.
We take the opportunity to discover the news wheels NewMen, a German brand. These are here the Advanced SL R.42 found on his bike, but riders also use the R65 or R80. The R42s are 42 mm high, 21 mm internally, and weigh 1410 grams per pair.
In order not to harm the aero, the team uses short valves, which require the use of an extender to inflate the tubeless.
We note that the team uses labels on the rims to indicate when the preventive liquid has been applied, thus avoiding seeing it dry out, even if the mechanics have admitted to changing the tire very often due to wear well before the liquid dries!
Another “remarkable” thing is the crankset, a Rotor Aldhu model, here equipped with the InSpider power meter. If Lilian Calmejane adopts a traditional combination, some of his teammates are using great means, with a titanic 58×46!
For the rest of the bike, the only noticeable element is the CeramicSpeed derailleur cage.
Lapierre – Groupama FDJ
Always the same love story between the Groupama FDJ team, Lapierre and Shimano, but also Continental. Here, the bike of David Gaudu, a racer who likes Shimano Dura-Ace C36 wheels, especially when the wind gets involved.
Many will be surprised to see the number of spacers under the stem, but what’s the point of having a handlebar flush with the sleeve if it’s not to be well placed.
My only surprise was to see that on the stage canceled because of the wind on Friday, the riders had all opted for C50 or C60 wheels (see the first two photos in this gallery) while all the other teams had mounted wheels bass between 35 and 40 mm. Luckily the race was canceled in my opinion.
Ubiquitous Continental
There is no doubt that the German manufacturer is the leader in the peloton, especially with its Grand Prix 5000 S TR, but also with some riders who use the TT version in online races or the brand new AS (All Season) TR rubber.
But the casings have not said their last word and the legendary PRO Ltd are still present, even if they are becoming rarer.
