Emanuel Buchmann
With eight participations, the rider from Ravensburg is now one of the veterans of the Tour. He has not yet been able to celebrate a stage win. Nevertheless, fourth place overall at the 2019 Tour de France is the greatest success of his career. The past few years have been less fortunate for the 32-year-old at Team Bora-Hansgrohe. With the switch to the French racing team Cofidis Buchmann wants to give his career another kick. Perhaps he will be able to make his mark again in his first year.
New team, new bike
With the change of employer, Buchmann also has to get used to a new bike. Instead of the Specialized Tarmac SL8, he now uses a model from long-time Cofidis supplier Look. The 795 Blade RS is the top model from the traditional manufacturer from Nevers. The current model, launched in 2023, has moved away somewhat from the extravagance that characterised Look bikes for a long time. The design language is rather discreet and shows all the characteristics of a typical all-rounder that attempts to strike a balance between lightweight construction and good aerodynamics.
The 795 Blade RS is the only racing bike at Cofidis that was the victim of a robbery before the second stage: As the Equipe announced, eleven 795 Blade RS racing bikes were stolen in the process. The somewhat lighter but less aerodynamic 785 Huez, which Look has as its second top model, is not used by the traditional French racing team.
Change from Shimano to Campagnolo
Emanuel Buchmann will also have to get used to a new gear system, as Cofidis is the only team to be supplied by the Italian component manufacturer Campagnolo. The new co-operation between Campagnolo and Cofidis was only announced at the turn of the year; previously the team was equipped with Shimano. The new Super Record 13 was presented in the spring. With the brand new 13-speed Super Record, Cofidis now has the most gears on board, but it is not heavier than the competition. The wheels also come from Campagnolo, and Cofidis has three different models on board depending on the stage profile. During our photo shoot, the lightweight Neutron mountain wheels were fitted, along with a matching mountain cassette with 11-36 teeth.
For flatter stages, riders are likely to opt for Campagnolo Bora wheels with a height of 45 or even 60 millimetres. A 10-33 cassette is then usually fitted, which also offers a faster gear at the top end. For the chainrings, Buchmann relies on the classic 53/39 combination.
One difference to the standard bike is the titanium derailleur hanger from the 3D printer. The eye-catching part was made available to the riders by Look; it is supposed to be stiffer than the original and thus ensure more precise shifting behaviour.
Watt measurement in the pedal
A special feature of the entire field of riders are the Look pedals with power measurement, which the entire team rides. A power meter in the crank is standard, but according to the Cofidis mechanic, Campagnolo has not yet been able to produce enough power meters for the groupset, which was only presented this spring. However, the Look power pedals with titanium axle would provide them with an alternative that is as light as it is reliable.
Apart from that, the set-up is rather conventional: Buchmann rides a cockpit with 40 centimetre wide handlebars and a 110 millimetre stem. The rims are fitted with 28 millimetre wide tubeless tyres from Vittoria. The latter is quite new at Cofidis; last year, the team was the last team in the peloton to use tubular tyres.
Weight
At 7.3 kilograms (with pedals and bottle cage, without bottles and computer), the bike is slightly lighter than the average professional bike in the Tour peloton. Because we have not yet been able to test it on TOUR, we cannot categorise Buchmann's bike one hundred percent in terms of aerodynamics. Comparable concepts achieve around 215 watts, which the Look should not be far off with good wheels.
The Look 795 Blade RS from Emanuel Buchmann in detail
- Drive/gear shift: Campagnolo Super Record 13 (53/39, 11-36 t.)
- Brakes: Campagnolo Super Record
- Brake discs: Campagnolo (160/140 mm)
- Impellers: Campagnolo Neutron
- Tyres: Vittoria Corsa Pro (28 mm)
- Handlebars: Look
- Computer: Wahoo Element Bolt 3
- Saddle: Selle Italia
- Pedals: Look Power
Jens Klötzer
Editor
