Time trial bikes from the European Championships: Ganna, Küng & the Germans
The Men's individual time trial at the 2022 European Championships led around Fürstenfeldbruck near Munich. Before the start, Filippo Ganna, reigning world champion against the clock, and two-time European time trial champion Stefan Küng were the top favourites. However, both were beaten by a third: Stefan Bissegger. The Swiss rider won by less than a second ahead of his compatriot Küng. Ganna won bronze, nine seconds behind.
TOUR got the Italian's time trial bike and that of his Swiss rival on camera in the paddock.
Click through: The time trial bikes of Filippo Ganna and Stefan Küng
Pinarello Bolide F - the time trial bike from Filippo Ganna
The Pinarello Bolide F, with which the Ineos Grenadiers team is equipped, recently made an appearance at the start of the Tour de France officially came into the limelight for the first time in Copenhagen. Previously, the new time trial bike from Pinarello had already been presented at the Tour de Suisse caught the eye. Geraint Thomas and his team-mates from Ineos Grenadiers raced with the Bolide F for the first time in Switzerland, although it was still hidden under a camouflage look. A short time later, Ganna triumphed with the new model at the Italian time trial championships.
At the European Championships, Ganna rode with a 60-tooth chainring. At the rear, he opted for a gear ratio of 11-30 teeth. The exceptional Italian rider's time trial bike rolled on Princeton wheels. They were fitted with Grand Prix 5000 TT tyres from Continental. A special feature of Ganna's bike: parts of the fork and front wheel are painted in rainbow colours, symbolising his status as the current world champion.
The Bolide F has prominent predecessors: the Bolide HR, with which Sir Bradley Wiggins secured the world hour record in 2015, and the Bolide TT, which led Team Sky and later Ineos to many time trial victories.
Lapierre Aerostorm - Stefan Küng's time trial bike
Küng didn't have quite as big a chainring as his rival Ganna at the European Championships. The Swiss rider's time trial bike was fitted with a 58-tooth chainring. On the rear, the Groupama-FDJ pro rode with a gear ratio of 11-28 teeth.
VIDEO: Time trial at the European Championships in Jacob Ahlsson's support vehicle
The wheels on Küng's time trial bike are from Shimano. The Swiss rider uses the same brand of tyres as Ganna: Continental Grand Prix 5000 TT. TOUR already had the Lapierre Aerostorm in front of the lens in 2021. Click here for the detailed report.
Germany represented four times
Germany competed in the individual time trial at the European Championships with two participants each: Lisa Klein and Lisa Brennauer, who ended her career after the competitions in Munich took on the women's course. For the men, Miguel Heidemann and Max Walscheid completed the 24 kilometres around Fürstenfeldbruck.
Before the start, TOUR also stopped by the German team bus and photographed the bikes of the four time trial aces.
Click through: The time trial bikes of the Germans
There was no medal for the German starters. Lisa Brennauer finished 12th, 1:58 minutes behind European champion Marlen Reusser from Switzerland, while Lisa Klein came 23rd, 3:36 minutes behind.
In the men's race, Miguel Heidemann lost 1:46 minutes to the winner Stefan Bissegger in 16th place, while Max Walscheid crashed en route. In the end, he finished in 25th place, 2:42 minutes behind the winner.
