Geraint Thomas (Sky) piloted this Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Think2 to 8th place at this year's Ronde van Vlaanderen - James Huang/Future Publishing
Not many people may have expected Geraint Thomas (Sky) to put in such an impressive performance but those in the know fully anticipated it, particularly given his excellent finishes this season so far - James Huang/Future Publishing
The distinctively wiggly rear end of Pinarello's Dogma 65.1 Think2… - James Huang/Future Publishing
…and the matching wiggly fork - James Huang/Future Publishing
Geraint Thomas's (Sky) view from the cockpit includes a PRO aluminum bar and stem, a Garmin Edge 510 computer (on a blacked-out K-Edge mount), and double wrapped tape - James Huang/Future Publishing
PRO produces stems for the Sky team in custom lengths - James Huang/Future Publishing
Geraint Thomas's (Sky) anatomic-bend bars are turned slightly upward - James Huang/Future Publishing
Veloflex Arenberg tubular tires for Geraint Thomas (Sky). Team mechanic Gary Blem wouldn't disclose the inflation pressures - James Huang/Future Publishing
Shimano 50mm-deep Dura-Ace carbon tubular wheels were a popular choice at this year's Ronde van Vlaanderen - James Huang/Future Publishing
Thin strips of grip tape add extra hold to the already-stout Elite Ciussi aluminum bottle cages - James Huang/Future Publishing
Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 cranks with 53/39T chainrings for Geraint Thomas (Sky) - James Huang/Future Publishing
Sky switched this year from SRM to Stages power meters - James Huang/Future Publishing
The massive Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9070 front derailleur somehow manages to look a little less bulky against the backdrop of the big frame tubes and deep-section wheels - James Huang/Future Publishing
Geraint Thomas (Sky) has had team sponsor fi'zi:k produce for him a special Arione saddle with an absolutely incredible amount of padding - easily three times the thickness of a standard version and much, much softer - James Huang/Future Publishing
Shimano Dura-Ace dual-pivot brake calipers with carbon-specific pads - James Huang/Future Publishing
Full Shimano Dura-Ace all around for Geraint Thomas (Sky) - James Huang/Future Publishing
Team mechanics use heat shrink tubing to join the Di2 wire and brake housing together into one neat package - James Huang/Future Publishing
The K-Edge logos are blacked out on the team's Garmin mounts but there's no denying that its CNC-machined aluminum construction is far sturdier than what Garmin produces - James Huang/Future Publishing
The lawyer tabs are still intact on Geraint Thomas's (Sky) Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Think2 fork - James Huang/Future Publishing
A big Pinarello logo is on the bottom of the down tube for the finish line photos - James Huang/Future Publishing
The head tube on Pinarello's Dogma 65.1 Think2 reminds us of the Moai statues on Easter Island - James Huang/Future Publishing
A simple chain catcher for Geraint Thomas's (Sky) Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Think2 at Ronde van Vlaanderen - James Huang/Future Publishing
Sky team mechanics use these little rubber balls to keep cable housing from rubbing on the frames - James Huang/Future Publishing
More cushioning comes from the flexible carbon fiber shell on Geraint Thomas's (Sky) extra-padded fi'zi:k Arione saddle - James Huang/Future Publishing
There's so much padding on the saddle that it's nearly impossible to keep the cover from wrinkling - James Huang/Future Publishing
Sky's team livery is simple but easily recognizable - James Huang/Future Publishing
Big asymmetrical chainstays on Geraint Thomas's (Sky) Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Think2 frame - James Huang/Future Publishing
Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) rode to his best-ever finish at this year's Ronde van Vlaanderen, scoring an outstanding eight-place result among a field full of top riders. That he did so well was even more impressive given that he injured his back in an early crash. Thankfully, at least his Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Think2 was set up for a long, hard day on the road.
As we've come to expect from Team Sky's race bikes, they're visually rather mundane with just a few bits of light blue to punctuate what's otherwise a straight gloss black frameset. Save for the characteristically curvy rear end and fork blades – and, of course, the enormous Pinarello logos – there's little visual flash to speak of.
Not many people may have expected geraint thomas (sky) to put in such an impressive performance but those in the know fully anticipated it, particularly given his excellent finishes this season so far: - James Huang/Future Publishing
Apparently, Sky would rather its race results do the talking and indeed, a few technical details suggested that Thomas's bike was ready for the challenge of the day. Present and accounted for were the usual double-wrapped tape and slighter larger-than-normal 25mm-wide Veloflex Arenberg tubulars (inflated to pressures that team mechanic Gary Blem preferred not to disclose).
Veloflex arenberg tubular tires for geraint thomas (sky). team mechanic gary blem wouldn't disclose the inflation pressures: - James Huang/Future Publishing
Out back, however, was a thoroughly customized saddle from team sponsor fi'zi:k to help the Sky rider deal with the pavé. Thomas's special perch used a standard Arione carbon fiber base and braided carbon fiber rails but was covered with a layer of padding that was both incredibly generous and remarkably soft – so much so that even with fi'zi:k's enviable manufacturing capabilities, it was impossible to keep the cover from wrinkling.
Geraint thomas (sky) has had team sponsor fi'zi:k produce for him a special arione saddle with an absolutely incredible amount of padding - easily three times the thickness of a standard version and much, much softer: - James Huang/Future Publishing
Another custom touch is the unusual 121mm-long stem – exactly 1mm longer than what PRO normally offers to the public. PRO supplies the team with several custom lengths, and although they use similarly shaped extensions to the standard Vibe model, the team stems differ even further from stock fare in that they use sturdier one-piece, four-bolt handlebar clamps instead of the interlocking 'Puzzle Clamp' that everyday riders get.
PRO produces stems for the sky team in custom lengths: - James Huang/Future Publishing
Otherwise, the build is quite standard-issue with a full Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9070 group (without supplemental shift buttons), 50mm-deep Dura-Ace carbon tubular wheels, Dura-Ace SPD-SL carbon-bodied pedals, and an anatomic-bend aluminum PRO handlebar. Stages Cycling now takes over power meter duties from former supplier SRM, the Garmin Edge 510 computer is fixed to a blacked-out K-Edge mount, and a pair of Elite Ciussi aluminum cages hold tightly on the bottles with the additional help of a few strips of grip tape.
Thin strips of grip tape add extra hold to the already-stout elite ciussi aluminum bottle cages: - James Huang/Future Publishing
Total weight as shown is 7.54kg (16.62lb).
Geraint thomas (sky) piloted this pinarello dogma 65.1 think2 to 8th place at this year's ronde van vlaanderen: - James Huang/Future Publishing
James Huang is BikeRadar's former technical editor. After leaving BikeRadar in 2016, he worked at CyclingTips and Escape Collective. He now runs the Substack cycling publication N-1 Bikes.
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