After 22 years, a partnership is coming to an end: from 2024, the Groupama-FDJ World Tour team will no longer be riding Lapierre bikes. The French bike manufacturer has decided against continuing the partnership. It has not yet been announced who will take Lapierre's place. The French cycling portal Cylism'Actu recently reported that Wilier is to become the new bike supplier.
However, it is clear that some of the last bikes with which Lapierre equipped the French team are now going under the hammer. Ten racing bikes are up for grabs on the auction platform "Catawiki" (https://www.catawiki.com/en/a/878105), as well as several items such as signed water bottles, jerseys, photo panels of the riders and a huge banner marking Pinot's farewell. The auction will run until 3 December.
Thibaut Pinot's last Tour de France bike to be auctioned off
The highlights are clearly the racing bikes. Because among them are some real rarities. Above all, the bike ridden by Thibaut Pinot in his last Tour de France shortly before the end of his career. The Lapierre Xelius is painted in a special colour. The "Symbiosis" design, which was specially created for the Tour de France, was designed by artificial intelligence. The experts on the auction platform estimate that the bike could go for between 15,000 and 30,000 euros.
Stefan Küng's time trial bike up for auction
The professionals believe that the machine is capable of handling just under half of these. Stefan Küng 2021 and 2022 in the battle against the clock. As the 2021 European time trial champion, Küng was on his Lapierre Aerostorm of course also in special livery, based on the white jersey with blue stripes and yellow stars.
The Lenny Martinez road bikes will also be auctioned, David Gaudu, Arnaud DemarePaul Penhoet, two from Valentin Madouas, a road bike from Küng and the time trial machine from Bruno Armirail.
Van Vleuten auctions for a good cause
Also Annemiek van Vleuten, the recently retired world championTour de France Femmes winner and winner of almost every trophy that women's cycling has to offer on the road, recently auctioned off some of the mementos of her successful career.
Among other things, the Dutchwoman brought home her last leader's jersey in a tour (Tour of Scandinavia; editor's note.), her racing suit from the World Championships in Glasgow and a torn and bloody jersey that she was wearing when she crashed in her last Tour of Flanders.
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A total of 18,000 euros was raised. And this will go to a foundation in her home town of Wageningen that teaches children to swim. This is the fourth time that van Vleuten has cleared out her attic to donate to charity.
