Eight German racing drivers are competing in this year's Tour de France. Over the course of the three weeks, we will be presenting their racing bikes. Here it's the turn of Pascal Ackermann's Factor Ostro VAM. The sprinter from the Palatinate is the most successful German racer at the Tour de France 2024 to date - the 30-year-old has already claimed three podium places.
It wasn't easy to get photos of his bike, as Ackermann's racing bike is not equipped in accordance with the sponsors' wishes in one prominent detail. However, we were able to catch his bike on the roof of his car and have been secretly photographing details at the stage starts over the last few days.
Factor Ostro VAM should combine good aerodynamics with low weight
Pascal Ackermann only switched from Team UAE Emirates to Israel-Premier Tech this year. With the new team, he also swapped his Colnago for a Factor bike, the team's supplier. The Factor Ostro VAM, which is ridden by all riders in the team, provides him with an all-rounder that combines good aerodynamics with low weight. Due to the lack of a wind tunnel test, we are unable to definitively categorise the aerodynamics, but the model with the slim frontal silhouette is unlikely to be very slow. The brand also produces a specialised aero bike, the One, and a lightweight model, the O2, but neither will be used in the Tour de France.
Like his colleagues, Ackermann has machines in two colour schemes: A plain, blue and black standard livery and a special colour scheme for the Tour de France. The bikes are both used, and Ackermann rode in blue and black on the stage to Pau last Friday.
Measured against his height of 1.82 metres, Ackermann rides a slightly too small frame at size 54, but compensates for the lack of length with a very long stem. The 140 millimetre long and 38 centimetre narrow handlebar combo is a rarity in the peloton; at Factor it is just one of countless factory options.
The Ostro VAM from Ackermann weighs 7.7 kilograms on our scales, which is average compared to other race all-rounders. A Specialized Tarmac, a very light representative of its class, comes in at around 7.2 kilograms. Ackermann does not experiment with the equipment. Unlike his team-mates, who ride cranks from sponsor FSA, Ackermann prefers to rely on the original Dura-Ace cranks from Shimano, which match the groupset. For sprint stages, Ackermann relies on a gear ratio of 56/44, as well as 62 millimetre high aero rims and 28 millimetre wide Grand Prix TT time trial tyres from Continental.
TOUR at the Tour de France: Exclusive live blog
Jens Klötzer
Editor
