Racing bikes

Driver type

- Stage 15, with 3,950 metres of climbing and steep final ascents, is crucial for the general classification  
- In the simulation, lightweight mountain bikes with the lowest possible weight perform best; aero bikes weighing 1.5 kg more lose up to 37 seconds  
- Vingegaard’s bike comes out on top, but his single-chainring drivetrain may reach its limits on very steep sections due to larger gear ratios

A steep climb on the route: Which bikes are leading the way on the Plateau de Solaison?

- Aero road bikes offer a time saving of around six minutes on the 14th mountain stage compared with lightweight bikes – significantly more than more efficient chains.
- A half-per-cent increase in drivetrain efficiency saves 45 seconds over the stage; on the final climb, an extra 400 grams in weight equates to around eight seconds.
- The Cervelo S5 is the fastest on the steep final climb thanks to its minimal weight; for the general classification contenders, it is the sum of small material advantages that makes the difference.

Tour de France 2026: Here’s how much waxed chains help

- Stage 13, featuring the Ballon d’Alsace, favours breakaway riders, but Pogacar’s attacking spirit could thwart this expectation.  
- Simulations show that aero wheels can provide a lead of up to 8 minutes and 26 seconds – or around 6 kilometres – over less aerodynamic models on this stage.  
- The 11th stage, with its chaotic finish and Warenskjold’s victory, proved that efficiency, drafting and aerodynamics can be more decisive than pure top speed.

Tour de France 2026: Why aero bikes make all the difference on the Ballon d’Alsace

Quarter-life crisis: Is road cycling just a fad?

- Common beginner’s mistakes: lack of practice, unclipping too late, attempting to clip in too early, excessive pedal resistance, fear and tension.
- Incorrectly adjusted cleats and ill-fitting or too-tight shoes lead to pain, an unstable riding experience and long-term problems.
- Solutions: practise beforehand, correct cleat position with sufficient float, a relaxed posture, moderate cadence and prioritising stability.

Tips for beginners: Cycling with clipless pedals – what you need to bear in mind

Beginner

- Stage 12 is the last distinctly flat stage for sprinters; the route favours a bunch sprint with a short, explosive final burst of speed.  
- In a simulation of a 150-metre sprint from 65 km/h, the most aerodynamic bike (van Rysel) comes out on top, beating Cervelo by two thousandths of a second.  
- Strava data from Baptiste Veistroffer shows a maximum power output of 1358 W, an average power output of 323 W and an average speed of 44.1 km/h for his solo breakaway.

TOUR Tech Briefing for Stage 12: Sprint simulation and data from a solo breakaway

- Stage 11 features a sprint finish, but could be disrupted by attacks from strong breakaway riders on the Cote de Billy-Chevannes.
- An attack on the 1.6 km climb requires around 650 W for a rider weighing 75 kg; Aerodynamics and weight influence climbing speed.
- Bikes with good aerodynamics and minimal weight, such as the Cervelo S5 and Tarmac, are the fastest, but performance and tactics outweigh the influence of the equipment.

TOUR Tech Briefing Stage 11: How much of a difference the bike makes during the attack on the final climb

Professional/racing

Inexpensive all-round road bike, gravel bike or aero racer for competitions: TOUR shows how every type of rider, from beginner to expert, can find the right road bike

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Driver type

A steep climb on the route
Which bikes are leading the way on the Plateau de Solaison?

Tour de France 2026
Here’s how much waxed chains help

Tour de France 2026
Why aero bikes make all the difference on the Ballon d’Alsace

Beginner

Quarter-life crisis
Is road cycling just a fad?

Tips for beginners
Cycling with clipless pedals – what you need to bear in mind

Professional/racing

TOUR Tech Briefing for Stage 12
Sprint simulation and data from a solo breakaway

TOUR Tech Briefing Stage 11
How much of a difference the bike makes during the attack on the final climb

Driver type

A steep climb on the routeWhich bikes are leading the way on the Plateau de Solaison?

Tour de France 2026Here’s how much waxed chains help

Tour de France 2026Why aero bikes make all the difference on the Ballon d’Alsace

Beginner

Quarter-life crisisIs road cycling just a fad?

Tips for beginnersCycling with clipless pedals – what you need to bear in mind

Professional/racing

TOUR Tech Briefing for Stage 12Sprint simulation and data from a solo breakaway

TOUR Tech Briefing Stage 11How much of a difference the bike makes during the attack on the final climb

A steep climb on the route
Which bikes are leading the way on the Plateau de Solaison?

Tour de France 2026
Here’s how much waxed chains help

Tour de France 2026
Why aero bikes make all the difference on the Ballon d’Alsace

Quarter-life crisis
Is road cycling just a fad?

Tips for beginners
Cycling with clipless pedals – what you need to bear in mind

TOUR Tech Briefing for Stage 12
Sprint simulation and data from a solo breakaway

TOUR Tech Briefing Stage 11
How much of a difference the bike makes during the attack on the final climb