Three of these shoes aren't available to the public. We're not sure about the fourth - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Following suit from Giro's lace-up shoe, the Empire, Bontrager has the Classique, which isn't officially part of the line yet - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
This Shimano shoe is not yet public. It appears to be an R321 — a follow-up to the current R320 - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
This is Shimano's current R320 shoe - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Marco Albasini looks to have a fairly wide foot, given the strap placement - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
This is a Diadora Vortex-Pro Movistar Limited Edition shoe - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
This is a Diadora Vortex-Pro Movistar Limited Edition shoe cover. It's unclear what model of two-dial shoe is underneath - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Sometimes shoe covers are worn for aero benefits, sometimes for rain protection, and sometimes to cover up shoes that are not sponsor-correct - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Bont shoes are popular in the Tour de France peloton. World champion Rui Costa is a fan - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
AG2R-La Mondiale riders use a mix of shoes, from sponsor Northwave and the smaller Sierra brand - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Sierra is a small French company that began making custom rollerblade boots in 1994 before moving into cycling - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Bont has a whole range of shoes, but the Zero seems to be the most common among pros - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Specialized has been trying to get world TT champion Tony Martin on its shoes for a while, but the German loves his Sidis - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Sidi is also Peter Sagan's footwear of choice - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Alberto Contador wears Specialized S-Works shoes with custom graphics - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
A closer look at Contador's personal graphics - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
André Griepel's gorilla Gaernes - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Frank Schleck has what look to be roughly modified Bontrager shoes. Bontrager declined to comment on them - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
These are likely prototypes for a next-edition Bontrager XXX LE shoe - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Jérémy Roy's personalized Fizik shoes - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
A few Tour pros ride with the Sidi adjustment tabs flipped open, so they can tighten or loosen on the fly - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Another example of open-tab Sidis - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Sylvain Chavanel of IAM Cycling rides blank Specialized S-Works shoes - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Other IAM Cycling riders use Northwave (Italian) or Suplest (Swiss) shoes - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
The Swiss Suplest brand makes a variety of shoes, using various fasteners from A-Top dials (think Boa) to Velcro straps to ratchets - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
No Tour shoe gallery would be complete without a shot of Adam Hansen's handmade jobs - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Hansen has a few different pairs of carbon slippers, which feature a single adjustment dial on the sole - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
While you will never see a rider at the Tour de France on a different brand of bicycle from his teammates, shoes are a different matter. Since fit is such an individualized matter, and comfort at the foot-to-pedal junction is essential, teams will occasionally let riders wear something besides what the team sponsor provides.
The other critical touchpoint of course is the saddle; we have shown a few examples of riders on Selle Italia-sponsored teams using Specialized, or Specialized-sponsored riders using Fizik. With shoes and saddles there isn't a universal solution; it's all about what fits each rider best.
Here, we take a look at some of the unique and interesting shoes on the feet of the Tour de France peloton.
In addition to non-sponsor correct shoes or special-graphic editions, we also spotted at least three models that are not yet available. Bontrager's lace-up shoe, believed to be called the Classique, made an appearance, as did what looks to be the successor to Shimano's R320 shoe. Perhaps to be called the R321, the Shimano shoe features two Velcro straps and a ratcheting strap with the opposite orientation to that of the R320. True to Shimano's form, the company declined to comment on the shoe. “Shimano is constantly working to improve its product," said Shimano spokesman Nick Legan. "Shimano athletes often test prototypes in competition as a part of the development process.”
Most of the Trek Factory Racing riders on using Bontrager's new XXX shoe. But at least one rider is on what looks to be a new version of the XXX LE shoe, a three-Velcro-strap model. As with Shimano, Bontrager declined to divulge any details.
These are likely prototypes for a next-edition bontrager xxx le shoe: these are likely prototypes for a next-edition bontrager xxx le shoe - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Next-edition Bontrager XXX LE shoes?
"We race to win. We race to learn. New product comes out of that," said Bontrager marketing spokesman Sam Foos. "These shoes are not final, and we have no timeline to publish as of yet."
Trek's Frank Scheck is racing in some oddly modified Bontrager shoes, which Foos declined to explain, beyond saying that "it is a long story".
Finally, Sierra custom carbon shoes popped up on a couple of AG2R-La Mondiale riders. Frenchman Jean-Stephan Sierra began making rollerblade boots back in 1994, and later moved into cycling footwear. His custom rollerblade boots sell for €750, and the cycling shoes go for €510.
Click through the gallery above for a closer look at these special shoes.
Sylvain chavanel of iam cycling rides blank specialized s-works shoes: sylvain chavanel of iam cycling rides blank specialized s-works shoes - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Ben Delaney is a journalist with more than two decades of experience writing for and editing some of the biggest publications in cycling. Having studied journalism at the University of New Mexico, Ben has worked for Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, VeloNews and BikeRadar. He has also previously worked as Global Brand Communications Manager for Specialized. Ben covers all things road and gravel, and can be found logging big miles in the Rocky Mountains that nestle alongside his home in Boulder, Colorado. He has covered the most important bike races in the sport, from the Tour de France and Tour of Flanders, to the Unbound gravel race, and specialises in tech content, showcasing what the pros are riding and putting everyday equipment through its paces.
This website is owned and published by Our Media Ltd. www.ourmedia.co.uk
