A look at the rolling support structure of Italy's greatest road race
We've shown you on numerous occasions what team riders ride. But what do the support staff drive? Lotto-Belisol uses these Skoda Octavia wagons, which are quite popular among the peloton
We've shown you on numerous occasions what team riders ride. But what do the support staff drive? Lotto-Belisol uses these Skoda Octavia wagons, which are quite popular among the peloton - James Huang/Future Publishing
Team vehicles are typically festooned with radio antennas, since different frequencies and systems are used for communicating with the riders and receiving race information, for example - James Huang/Future Publishing
Team vehicles use custom-made roof racks that not only pack in many more bikes than what's typically available in stores, but are also much faster to load and unload - James Huang/Future Publishing
Just as there are just a handful of standard roof rack companies, there seem to be just a few outfits making these custom setups for the teams - James Huang/Future Publishing
Katusha also uses Skoda Octavias - James Huang/Future Publishing
Teams run summer-specific treads on the cars when there's no chance of snow or ice. The riders can typically descend much faster than the support vehicles, so any little bit of extra traction helps - James Huang/Future Publishing
The Skoda Octavia is popular partially because of how much gear can fit in the back - James Huang/Future Publishing
Opinions seem to be mixed on whether it's better to transport spare wheels in the front of the rack or the rear. Katusha prefers its wheels to be accessible from behind the vehicle - James Huang/Future Publishing
Mechanics will generally drive these vans directly from team hotel to team hotel. They're heavily adapted – not only to store a lot of gear, but also to operate as mobile workshops - James Huang/Future Publishing
This custom enclosure is basically a distribution point for electricity and compressed air - James Huang/Future Publishing
Wheels are stored up high inside the Katusha mechanics' van - James Huang/Future Publishing
This is the mechanic's office for each day of the race - James Huang/Future Publishing
Katusha mechanics operate out of these spacious Volkswagen Transporter vans - James Huang/Future Publishing
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step uses Peugeot 508 SW wagons. Note the television antenna up top - James Huang/Future Publishing
Radio antennas are usually stored inside the vehicles when they're not being driven in a race. They're easily removed and, therefore, easily stolen - James Huang/Future Publishing
Inside this Omega Pharma-Quick-Step team car are multiple radios plus a small television - James Huang/Future Publishing
Many teams also employ box trucks for the mechanics and soigneurs. They're remarkably spacious and incredibly useful – team staff can basically live out of these things - James Huang/Future Publishing
The cargo areas of these trucks are usually split in two. The mechanics usually get the rear of the vehicle and the soigneurs a smaller section up front - James Huang/Future Publishing
Inside almost all of these support vehicles are espresso machines to help keep everyone going - James Huang/Future Publishing
BMC goes a little more upscale with these vehicles from Mercedes-Benz - James Huang/Future Publishing
Lotto-Belisol uses these box trucks made by Iveco - James Huang/Future Publishing
Retractable awnings don't keep mechanics warm, but they certainly help when it's raining - James Huang/Future Publishing
Many of these trucks are better equipped than some brick-and-mortar bicycle shops - James Huang/Future Publishing
Lotto-Belisol says this truck can hold nearly 50 bikes, plus wheels and other gear - James Huang/Future Publishing
Wheel selections vary almost daily, so mechanics are constantly reconfiguring race bikes - James Huang/Future Publishing
Bikes and wheels are tightly packed - James Huang/Future Publishing
Short bungee cords help keep bikes stable inside the Lotto-Belisol truck - James Huang/Future Publishing
One can only imagine what goes through the minds of the mechanics when driving along bumpy roads… - James Huang/Future Publishing
Tubulars are constantly being stretched on old and spare rims - James Huang/Future Publishing
Clamps serve double duty as truing stand mounts for the Ag2r-La Mondiale team so that mechanics don't have to carry dedicated bases. Check out how spare inner cables are stored, too - James Huang/Future Publishing
Bottles aren't just for water, you know - James Huang/Future Publishing
Ag2r-La Mondiale uses these sleek Hyundai wagons - James Huang/Future Publishing
Wind resistance must be massive when these racks are fully loaded - James Huang/Future Publishing
Need a place to hang a race radio? Why, of course the solution is to screw a hook into the dashboard - James Huang/Future Publishing
Automatic transmissions are more common in the peloton but you do still see manuals on occasion - James Huang/Future Publishing
Riders, on the other hand, typically travel in these enormous custom buses - James Huang/Future Publishing
The Trek Factory Racing truck is notably plush. If the weather is particularly bad, there's enough room to work inside (especially with the slide-out section on the left side of the vehicle) and glass doors to seal out the wet and cold - James Huang/Future Publishing
The underbellies of the trucks are used for storage and mechanical equipment such as pressure washers and compressors - James Huang/Future Publishing
This forward cargo hold is used by the Trek Factory Racing team for drinks, but there are also two slide-out tables for workspace - James Huang/Future Publishing
The soigneurs' area of the Trek Factory Racing truck includes a full-sized washer. And yes, there appears to be a bottle of wine on the counter – you never know when it might be time for a celebration! - James Huang/Future Publishing
Another set of Skoda Octavias, this time for Trek Factory Racing - James Huang/Future Publishing
Trek Factory Racing prefers the all-black approach - James Huang/Future Publishing
Radio gear in the Trek Factory Racing cars is tucked away beneath the front passenger seat - James Huang/Future Publishing
This is about as dirty as you'll ever see a team car, which is saying quite a bit. Team vehicles are washed just about as often as riders' bikes - James Huang/Future Publishing
Team mechanics rely on hotels to provide electricity and water hookups like these - James Huang/Future Publishing
The slideout on the side of Trek Factory Racing's support truck creates enough room to work inside when the weather is ugly. Riders unfortunately don't enjoy the same luxury - James Huang/Future Publishing
The Cannondale team goes with cars from French company Citroën - James Huang/Future Publishing
Switching team vehicle sponsors can be a major pain since racks have to be refitted as well - James Huang/Future Publishing
Want to get a rack like this for yourself? Here's another number to call - James Huang/Future Publishing
We obviously couldn't see the top of the Cannondale team bus but we're guessing it's just as clean as the rest of it - James Huang/Future Publishing
Astana's team support truck is certainly hard to miss - James Huang/Future Publishing
A huge awning is hung off the side of the Astana team bus - James Huang/Future Publishing
Backup cameras can be lifesavers for the team bus drivers - James Huang/Future Publishing
Instead of constantly wondering who has keys, Astana's team bus is accessed via keypad - James Huang/Future Publishing
Volkswagens for the Astana team - James Huang/Future Publishing
Another option if a custom roof rack is in your future - James Huang/Future Publishing
Somehow it seems as if the Astana team bus would still look appropriate floating through space - James Huang/Future Publishing
Astana team mechanics at least get to glue tubulars 'indoors' - hopefully with the rear door open - James Huang/Future Publishing
Lights are often installed on the back of the rear lift gates. The work doesn't end when the sun goes down - James Huang/Future Publishing
Small vans such as this Volkswagen offer much more room than wagons while occupying similar footprints, so why aren't they used in races? For one, they don't handle as well, but they're also too tall for the riders to see over them, which presents a safety hazard - James Huang/Future Publishing
Just how custom are the roof rack installations on team vehicles? This should provide some clues - James Huang/Future Publishing
Tinkoff-Saxo uses these BMWs in the caravan - James Huang/Future Publishing
French Renaults for the French Europcar team - and as usual, it's probably best not to purchase this rental once it's put on the market - James Huang/Future Publishing
Team Sky has perhaps the snazziest cars in the peloton. These Jaguar XF Sportbrakes unfortunately aren't available in the US, but that's not an issue in Europe - James Huang/Future Publishing
Note the custom license plate, too - James Huang/Future Publishing
We regularly bring to you close-up looks at what the riders use in the world's greatest bike races. But what about the rolling infrastructure that supports them? While cycling may be a carbon-friendly activity, big-time road racing most certainly is not – with nearly as many four-wheeled vehicles on the road as two.
Any major road race is accompanied by a flotilla of vehicles, with each team operating its own independent fleet. Typically, each squad has around three or four cars, a team bus, a large truck, and often other vehicles such as a mobile kitchen – all tailored for their specific purposes (and not just in terms of the graphics packages applied).
Team sky has perhaps the snazziest cars in the peloton. these jaguar xf sportbrakes unfortunately aren't available in the us but that's not an issue in europe: - James Huang/Future Publishing
Team Sky has perhaps the snazziest cars in the peloton
Standard upgrades on the cars include multiple two-way radios that communicate with both the riders and race staff. In many cases cars are also fitted with television antennas, effectively putting eyes on multiple parts of the race.
Omega pharma-quickstep uses peugeot 508sw wagons. note the television antenna up top:
Omega Pharma–Quick-Step uses Peugeot 508 SW vehicles – note the television antenna up top
Most important, though, are the bespoke racks installed on each car. Far from the off-the-shelf models available from consumer brands such as Thule and Yakima, these team specials can usually handle a minimum of four complete bikes and roughly half a dozen spare wheels – all accessible virtually instantly by team mechanics via special quick-release levers and open-topped wheel trays.
Wind resistance must be massive when these racks are fully loaded:
Wind resistance must be massive when these racks are fully loaded
Keep in mind, too, that those cars are generally the only team vehicles spectators see in a race – and are only the tip of the iceberg. Giant custom buses transport riders from the team hotel to the race start, then go directly to the finish to await their arrival. Meanwhile other support vehicles, such as mechanics' trucks and miscellaneous vans, go directly from hotel to hotel to set up shop for the night.
The trek factory racing truck is notably plush. if the weather is particularly bad, there's enough room to work inside (especially with the slide-out section on the left side of the vehicle) and glass doors to seal out the wet and cold:
The Trek Factory Racing truck is notably plush
All in all, it's quite the caravan – and in some ways, a bit of a circus – but plays a crucial role in one of the world's greatest sports.
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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