Recently crowned German champion, Andre Greipel, is aboard Ridley's Noah SL, a bike renowned for its rigidity and aerodynamics, at this year's Tour Nick Legan
Greipel's massive power numbers are recorded by a Campagnolo Record SRM with 172.5mm crankarms and stout 54/39 gearing. Campy's Super Record EPS shifts across Greipel's 11-25 cassette Nick Legan
Unlike many national champions, Greipel isn't riding a custom painted machine, but his name tag does include the German flag Nick Legan
Greipel's saddle of choice is Selle Italia's Turbomatic Team Edition. His seat height is 76cm and he tilts the nose of his saddle slightly down Nick Legan
Like all race bikes, Greipel's is equipped with a transmitter than enables live on-bike feeds once a camera is installed Nick Legan
As he has for some time, Greipel uses Deda's oversized 35mm diameter, 42cm wide handlebars and a lengthy 14cm stem. Reach from the tip of his saddle to the midpoint of his bar top is 58cm Nick Legan
The only bike in the peloton with holes in the fork legs, the Noah uses them to help smooth turbulence between the front wheel and fork legs. A timing transponder is zip-tied to the right leg Nick Legan
Before mechanics even had a chance to unload the race bikes, UCI officials were on hand to test for hidden electric motors Nick Legan
Not necessarily for Greipel, but Lotto-Soudal's team bus has a well-placed coffee machine. Especially handy for a last-minute staff or rider pick-me-up Nick Legan
Andre Greipel took the first stage of this year's Tour of Britain for team Lotto Soudal not on his distinctive red team issue Ridley Noah, which he rode througout the Tour de France, but on an all-white paint job instead.
Making a strong start to the German's bid to lead the World Championships in Doha for his country, Greipel took to the front with 150 metres to go on Sunday's 161km Grand Depart stage from Glasgow to Castle Douglas, with Caleb Ewan (Orica-BikeExhange) finishing second.
Greipel's massive power numbers are recorded by a Campagnolo Record SRM with 172.5mm crankarms and stout 54/39 gearing. Campy's Super Record EPS shifts across Greipel's 11-25 cassette: Nick Legan
Well known for its extreme rigidity and aerodynamics, the Noah SL is a perfect machine for a rider of Greipel’s impressive abilities. Other component choices also make it clear that this is a sprinter’s bike –54-tooth chainrings, for instance, are rarely used on road bikes by anyone but the fastest of finishers.
Unlike many national champions, Greipel isn't riding a custom painted machine, but his name tag does include the German flag: Nick Legan
Deda’s oversized 35 bars, with a 35mm diameter instead of industry-standard 32, and matching stem are extra stiff. Greipel also uses the strongest spring possible in his LOOK Keo Blade 2 Ti pedals, rated a 20, in lieu of the 12 or 16 options.
Like all race bikes, Greipel's is equipped with a transmitter than enables live on-bike feeds once a camera is installed Nick Legan
With Greipel, his compatriot Kittel, Peter Sagan, Mark Cavendish and other fast men all in attendance at this year’s Tour, only time will tell if Lotto-Soudal’s finisher will do so with his arms raised in victory. But Greipel clearly has a bike that’s up to the task.
