FDJ.FR, FDJeux, FDJ, La Françaises des Jeux - the Équipe sponsored by a French lottery has ridden under various names since it was founded in 1997. However, two things have endured. French riders have always formed the core of the squad. And the liaison with the Dijon-based bike brand Lapierre has lasted since 2002.
In the past, the team with the four-leaf clover rarely had ambitions in the overall classification of major tours. Most of the time, they were out for stage wins, such as recently at the Giro d'Italia, where a new star rose in the sprinter's sky with three-time stage winner Nacer Bouhanni. Bouhanni stayed at home for this Tour, however, as Thibaut Pinot is the first rider in the team's history to make it onto the podium in Paris. Manager Marc Madiot is subordinating everything to this goal, which can also be seen from the fact that his riders are noticeably holding back in bunch sprints this year. So far, the calculation has worked: Before the second stage of the Pyrenees, Pinot, who also wears the white jersey of the best young pro, is in third place overall.
Among Pinot's helpers is Frenchman William Bonnet, 32, who is riding for FDJ.FR for the fourth year. The former Paris-Nice stage winner has six Tour starts and a total of 13 participations in grand tours to his name. Bonnet therefore knows how three-week tours work and is a great support for the young Pinot.
Bonnet's workhorse is the aerodynamic Aircode model, which Lapierre presented at the beginning of 2014. In order to minimise air resistance, the French manufacturer relies on so-called Kammtail technology. This goes back to the German engineer Wunibald Kamm, who discovered in the 1930s that droplet profiles retain their high aerodynamic quality even if the rear end of the droplet is virtually cut off. Many frame designers have gratefully taken up this idea, as it allows aerodynamics and lightweight construction to be harmonised relatively well. The aero models from BMC, Colnago, Pinarello, Simplon and Trek - to name just a few brands - are also based on Kamm's findings.
Wherever possible, Shimano is responsible for the equipment on Bonnet's bike. The Di2 shifting system, brakes, C50 wheels, pedals and bottom bracket are from the latest generation of the Dura-Ace groupset; the cranks are combined with a power meter from SRM. The Aircode fork is designed for Shimano's direct mount brakes, which are attached to special threads. Interestingly, Bonnet brakes at the rear with a normal Dura-Ace brake calliper. In the first photos of the Aircode that circulated last autumn, the brake was still behind the bottom bracket. In racing, however, this position has disadvantages because changing the wheel becomes more complicated. It is also controversial whether moving the brake downwards has any aerodynamic advantage at all. The massive and presumably extremely stiff carbon stem comes from the Shimano subsidiary brand Pro, as do the aluminium handlebars and the round carbon seatpost, which is integrated into the drop-shaped seat tube. A combination that may seem improvised, but which is supported by the fact that round seatposts are standard parts and therefore cheaper than aero seatposts. In addition, round tubes offer better suspension than teardrop profiles. It is quite possible that this is a criterion for Bonnet, who obviously pays a lot of attention to comfort when it comes to handlebars - recognisable by the double-wrapped handlebar tape.
Frame: Lapierre Aircode
Wheels: Shimano Dura-Ace C50
Tyres: Schwalbe One 24 mm (tubular tyre)
Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000, front direct mount
Gear system: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9070
Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 sprocket
Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace
Bottom bracket: Shimano Dura-Ace with SRM Powermeter
Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000
Handlebars: Pro Vibe SL (aluminium)
Stem: Pro Vibe Sprint (carbon)
Handlebar tape: Pro
Saddle: Fizik Aliante
Seatpost: Pro Vibe Carbon
Bottle cage: Elite Cannibal
Computer: SRM PC7
