00:00 – On Yer Bike for Le Tour de France 2025
01:10 – How Formula One Tech is Revolutionizing Tour de France Racing
10:34 – All the Unreleased Tech We’ve Found at the 2025 Tour de France
1. On Yer Bike for Le Tour de France 2025
Join me as I experience the thrill of the Tour de France in Amiens, France. I’ll take you through the scenic routes, the excitement of the riders, and the delicious French cuisine. From my childhood memories of riding a tricycle to my current obsession with the Tour de France, I’ll share my passion for this iconic event. Don’t forget to try Grandma Abson’s Lemon Sandwich Cake recipe, perfect for a Tour de France viewing party!
2. How Formula One Tech is Revolutionizing Tour de France Racing
Discover how cutting-edge Formula One technology is transforming the world of professional cycling. In this video, we explore the role of performance engineers and data scientists in the 2025 Tour de France, revealing how aerodynamics, equipment selection, and data analysis are helping cyclists achieve unprecedented speeds. Learn about the innovative techniques used by teams to gain a competitive edge, including wheel and tyre selection, rider positioning, and the impact of clothing on performance. Join us for an in-depth look at the future of cycling and the fascinating intersection of motorsport and cycling technology.
3. All the Unreleased Tech We’ve Found at the 2025 Tour de France
With the world’s biggest cycling race, riders chase yellow jerseys — but it’s also where brands quietly roll out tomorrow’s gear under the noses of millions. In 2025, the Tour de France (https://velo.outsideonline.com/category/road/tour-de-france?scope=anon) tech arms race feels more intense than ever. Alongside new aero tires and the latest drivetrain refinements, we’ve spotted a wave of unreleased tech — helmets, bikes, and wheels — that could shape pro peloton gear for the next few years. A new Cervélo R5 has appeared without fanfare, Merida’s Reacto has a striking new look, and Reserve’s first carbon-spoked wheels have surfaced on bikes from Visma–Lease a Bike. Here’s what we’ve seen so far.
on your bike for LU tour de France 2025. Imagine the thrill of witnessing the tour to France in person. The excitement of seeing the riders zoom past you and the sheer joy of being part of the spectacle. This is exactly what happened to me when my friend France was invited me to watch the tour to France depart from the heart of Amyan. But here’s where it gets controversial. I’ve never been a cyclist and I don’t even own a bike unless you count a secondhand tricycle from my childhood. Yet, I’m completely hooked on the tour to France. Every year, I eagerly search for the TV station broadcasting this incredible event and settle in with a map of France to follow the writer’s journey through the beautiful French countryside. My French friends often joke about my enthusiasm, but I simply explain, “Say Lupe, I love the scenery and the thrill of the race.” So when France messaged me with the invitation to witness the departure of a stage of the tour to France, I didn’t hesitate. The race was set to begin from the center of Aman with a depart fictive where the riders would start at a slower pace until they reach the outskirts of the city 4. How Formula 1 tech is revolutionizing tour to France racing. Imagine a world where the Tour to France racers are not just pedaling faster, but are also leveraging cuttingedge technology to shave off every possible second. The 2025 Tour to France is poised to be the fastest in history, thanks to groundbreaking modeling and speedseeking simulations used by teams to gain a competitive edge. This isn’t your grandfather’s cycling anymore. Gone are the days when pro cycling was all about raw endurance and racing by feel. Today, it’s a high-tech game of slick aerodynamics, meticulous planning, and massive data crunching. In fact, you could say that top level road cycling is evolving into something akin to Formula 1. Let’s dive deep into the growing influence of performance engineers and data scientists and see how they’re revolutionizing the sport. Buckle up for a thrilling ride into the future of cycling. The devil is in the detail. A performance engineer’s role is all about the minuti. It’s about uncovering gains where few have looked before. Britain Dan Bigum is arguably the most prominent engineer in this field. The 33-year-old former record holder worked with the Mercedes F1 team before transitioning to cycling. He’s currently the head of engineering at the Red Bull Hansgrow World Tour team. Before moving to his current role, Bigum shared insights into the meticulous nature of a performance engineer’s job, which involves equipment selection, product design, and an incredible attention to detail. Take wheel selection for example. It’s no longer just about shallow or deep rims. Bigum explained, “Will choice comes down to variables like a rers’s powertoweight ratio, weight, potential climbing speed, and aerodynamic profile.” He continued, “You need to know the magnitude of the difference.” So, you might say, “This wheel is 100g lighter, but has a higher CDA coefficient of aerodynamic drag by 0.02 m.” You need to know the detail. It’s a little like you coming to me and saying, “I have 10 buckets of flour. How many buckets of water does that need to make bread?” I can’t answer that. I need to know the bucket size. He elaborated on how will selection can mean the difference between sticking with or losing the rider in front, which can be the difference between victory and defeat. It’s the same with tire selection and rolling resistance. Bigum added. The rolling resistance coefficient of every cycling tire in the world varies between 0.01 and 0.06 from track tubs to slow winter ones. When you look at the physics of rolling resistance and the physics of climbing, the coefficient of rolling resistance is equal to a gradient. If you have a tire that’s 0.02 and a tire that’s 0.03, the difference is 0.01, which is equal to a 0.1% gradient. That might not sound like much, but riders who care about performance should care about the tires they choose. High-performing tires are a very good choice for climbers and are often latex or tubeless clinchers. Rise of the data scientist. This obsession with granular detail explains why XDSA brought in another former hour record holder, Alex Daet, who worked on project 35, which helped Mark Cavendish to his record-breaking 35th tour stage win in 2024. Alex will focus on optimizing rider positioning on the bike, testing technical equipment, and preparing for time trials. announced Alexander Vinurov, the team’s manager, on his recruitment in 2024. I believe Alex is an invaluable addition. Morgan Sashine, a French data scientist who also worked on project 35 in a freelance capacity, has proven his worth by obsessing over details in a different area. He’s credited with turning around the Kazak team’s fortunes. At the start of the 2025 season, they needed to score around 5,000 more points than fellow strugglers such as Coffidotus and Ariab and be hotels in order to finish in the top 18 and avoid relegation. At the time of writing, they’re fourth in the UCI rankings and on course to remain in the world tour. He analyses the cycling calendar and predicts where we have the highest probability to score points with the riders we have. Taking into consideration their characteristics, DS Dario Catalo recently told Jean Francois Ket in a certain period of the year he studies which race we should take part in and with which type of rider. It’s bringing excellent results. Sashin’s ability to block out the noise and model clear applied answers is paying dividends which is why data scientists are appearing in staff rosters especially at the top teams. I’d say there’s at least one person devoted to model development in the best five or six squads, says Andrea Ziggnoli. In other teams, data analysis is still relevant, but someone might be doing the job on a part-time basis, or they’re not data analysts or engineers by background, and they’ve adapted. Ziggnoli most certainly is a data scientist by trade with academic credentials, including a doctorate in modeling human sport performance from the University of Trento in Italy. His professional career has included joining forces with Jumbo Visma nutritionists when working for blood glucose monitoring outfit Super Sapiens. Now he’s a data scientist at AI coaching outfit Athletica alongside an ongoing collaboration with team VF groupani CSF fis and Italian pro team outfit. Atani I model every aspect of cycling bioenergetics. How cyclists convert metabolic power into mechanical power biomechanics. how the cyclist legs spin and coordinate to transmit mechanical power from the muscles to the pedals and locomotion. How the rider bike system moves in space. He says modeling is primarily for two purposes analysis. Looking back at data to extract meaning and simulation, predicting the future. Modeling and simulation are often cheaper than collecting data yourself. Thus, one can appreciate the contribution a new set of tires can provide as well as how much a bike change can benefit in the next time trial without the need for specific data collection or wind tunnel testing. As an example, Ziggnoli might segment the time trial course into flat climb and descent using elevation and gradient data to tag sections that require a rider to dig deeper. He’ll estimate the trade-off between pushing hard on the climbs while easing back on the flats, all the while factoring in the wind, tail versus head to identify where the greatest gains are to be had and biggest losses to be avoided. Historical power data will be thrown into the mix for a pacing plan that can then be uploaded to the rers’s bike computer. Ziggnoli’s role is very much in the background working with the coaches who can then disseminate what they feel is relevant to the rider. This works because sometimes the results of simulations don’t pan out in the real world. He says, for instance, I might say that a given corner is faster if you hit an early apex, but the rider might refrain from following that advice because there’s no clear visibility of what lies after the corner. Or the model might suggest one tire will be faster on a given stage, but the rider prefers a different model. At the end of the day, it’s always about the rider, and that’s not perfectly predictable. The Italian says modeling can also help the team assess the effect of a training regime, heat, caffeine, and much more, including the impact of clothing choice on a writer’s outcome, formula for better aerodynamics. Clothing is the specialist subject of applied sport scientist Jaime Pringle, whose many roles include consultancy work for Vortex Sports. The British brand sits under the umbrella of computational fluid dynamics, CFD experts, Total Sim, the brainchild of former Secret Squirrel member of the R&D department at British Cycling Rob Lewis, whose background is in Formula 1. Vortekch came to the public’s attention in 2022 when Simon Yates won stage two of the Gyro Datalia, a time trial around Budapest. wearing a vortex skin suit branded as Ae Bike Exchange Jacob’s clothing sponsors at the time. The bespoke suit, the result of working with Yates at Silverstone’s wind tunnel, cost 2750 to produce. Pringle says Lewis is a visionary and brings with him not only aerodynamic know-how from Formula 1, but also its pace of prototype production. Once we map the rider with our scanning technology, we can create a 3D printed mannequin so we can start assessing how different fabrics and designs work on their replica torso straightaway. Via CFD work, we can have a bespoke prototype suit ready to test the next morning. That in-house capability follows the rapid development process of Formula 1. Many teams need rapid turnover of customized suits. That’s what we deliver. I came across Lewis presenting at a recent science and cycling conference. As a snapshot of how Formula 1 minds influence professional cycling, Lewis said he thinks you should work on the 80 to20 rule, where you leave 80% of the thing alone and work on the 20% that affects 80% of the result. Using the example that the late 2000’s GB track team cut 3% of skin suit drag simply by moving the seam slightly, nailing aerodynamics on a bicycle is all the unreleased tech we found at the 2025 tour to France. Strap in for a tour to France like no other. Where the cycling world’s biggest stars aren’t just hammering away for the legendary yellow jersey, they’re also unveiling the future of bike technology right under the watchful eyes of millions. And here’s the part that sparks endless debate. In 2025, the competition isn’t limited to pure athletic prowess. There’s a parallel race among brands to showcase the next wave of gear before anyone else. From newly developed aerodynamic tires and refined drivetrains to lightweight frames and advanced helmets, we’ve spotted a whole array of cuttingedge tools. In fact, you could say the tech innovations are as fierce as the podium battle itself. Whether it’s a revamped serve R5 suddenly appearing from nowhere, an eye-catching Merida Reacto with intriguing structural tweaks, or Reserve’s first carbon spoked wheels powering riders from Vizma, Lisa Bike. These emerging products could define the Pro Pelatin’s arsenal in the years to come. But here’s where it gets controversial. Brands are introducing gear quietly, often without press releases or big public announcements, hoping for a realworld test under the toughest conditions. Is this behind-the-scenes strategy a genius roll out or a gamble with riders performance and safety? Let’s break down what we’ve uncovered so far. An updated unreleased Merida Reacto. For a long time, the fourth generation Merida Reacto https/vevel outsideline.com/tag/mmerida earned high praise for its blend of affordability, at least by probike standards and nimble handling. Yet, Bahrain Victorious is currently racing on a fresh version, one Merida hasn’t officially acknowledged. Noticeable alterations include a slimmer, deeper head tube and reimagined fork blades, best described as having flowg guiding veins that could channel air more efficiently around the frame. In simpler terms, these veins are small ridges or fins that assist in controlling air flow, potentially giving riders a much needed aerodynamic edge. Meanwhile, the seat tube region shows a rearranged system for the seat post clamp, possibly ditching the seat post wedge used up front. If you consider that the last major Reacto update came out in 2020, a roughly 5-year product cycle perfectly explains why Merida would choose the 2025 tour to France to debut a revamped Reacto right when competition among Aero road bikes is peaking. Unreleased Arrow Road helmets are gaining ground. Arrow helmet development has also hit overdrive for 2025. Gyro, Ecoy, and Sweet Protection each have brand new models on riders heads. Gyro’s prototype is especially compelling. Many from the Vismalise, a bike team have been spotted wearing it. At a glance, you might mistake it for a mashup of a Specialized S works evade from the front, a gyro Eclipse from the side, and a PC from the rear. It appears to retain Gyro’s MIP spherical system, which positions the helmet in two separate foam layers to manage rotational forces. The back portion follows a chopped off comtail form akin to some POC helmets that aims for top tier aerodynamics with minimal drag. Ecoy and Sweep Protection, on the other hand, have introduced helmets that honestly look somewhat alike and both share broad stylistic similarities to the Specialized Sworks of Aid. We’re talking wider side vents, a tapered tail, and just enough ventilation to keep things cool while still minimizing wind resistance. For riders tackling triple-digit summer heat in France, this trade-off can be a sticking point. You’ll hear some athletes swear by more venting for comfort, while others want uncompromised arrow gains. POC also joined the action by unveiling the Cidle light helmet, which strongly mirrors the standard Cidle, but offers noticeably better air flow while trimming its overall weight below 200 g. Size medium CE standard. According to POC, the lighter foam and additional vents make it an attractive pick for stage hunters who crave both ventilation and speed. Curious for more details? You can find deeper dives into Sweet Protection’s new creation https/vevel outsideline.com/road/road-geear/spotted-uno-x-new-e-proction- arrow-helmet-to-france and gyro’s unique arrow lid. https/veveled outsideline.com/road/road-geear/spotted- we have dash the-details on-ash visma- lease- a-bikes-new-jro helmet based on current signs gyro’s version might be the first to hit the commercial market so keep an eye out if you’re considering a gear upgrade vizma lease a bike and nimble apparel shotty Dave recently ly spent some time with the folks at Nimble, best known for their high-end cycling shoes, and discovered that the company has moved beyond footwear to provide apparel for Vizma Lisa Bike. The riding kits are still shrouded in mystery. They incorporate the usual aerodynamic elements like ribbed sleeve panels, but specific tech details or official release info remain under wraps. If Nimble’s pricing for shoes is any clue, these garments might retail at a premium, though that’s the typical story in prolevel cycling gear. A new Servolo R5. Unsurprisingly, most of the talk in recent months centered on Servo’s Aerrow Forward S5. Yet the company sneaked in an overhauled are five https/vevel outsideline.com/road/road-geear/bike-check- tour-fer- r5-visma-leike-mate-jorgensson in races like the doofan before bringing it to the tour. This new R5 is built for minimal heft. Designers thinned the seat stays and reshaped the fork, introducing what looks like a more compact integrated cockpit. Brake mounts used direct through bolts, trimming further grams. Servo insists that the final product comes very close to the UCI’s 6.8 kg race legal limit without resorting to questionable parts or strategies, making it a legitimate contender for conquering those critical mountain stages. If you want to see it in action, shotty Dave managed to get his hands on one for a closer look on video. https colon/vevel outsideonline.com/road/road-geear/new-servell-bikesour-fissing. The real question is, will Servo’s weight loss approach compromise durability? Or is it the perfect blend of lightweight design and long-term reliability? What’s already hit the market? Not all 2025 Tour debut gear is under top secret wraps. Some has been officially launched. Case in point, Servo’s new S5. We’ve monitored its progress for a while. https/vevel outside online ecom/road/roadge gear/spotted surveill and factor latest to heat by karms race cryum dud doine/ and even took it for a thorough test https colon/veveled outsideline.com/road/road-geear/new-all-sighter-f and- top-spec- is-1x on paper the New S5 saved 124 g compared to its predecessor and is reportedly 6.3 W faster, delivering a smooth marriage of lightness and aerodynamic prowess. BMC’s Team Machine SLR01 is another example of weight shedding mania. Now in its fifth generation, BMC claims a 16% weight drop over the previous version with a painted 54 cm frame weighing about 700 g. While Alvin’s test bike https/vevel.outsidonline.com/road/road-geear/bmc-tous-slide- review hit only 6.6 kg even without pedals. Shotty Dave clocked another build at 7.1 kg complete with pedals, bottle cages, and a computer. That difference showcases how component selection heavily influences the final weight and might spark heated discussions. Are top tier carbon parts necessary for pro performance? ENV launched its SCES4.5 Pro wheels. https/vevel outsideline.com/road/road-geearnvy- sces-4-5-pro-elivers a-ouble- take at-1295- GS- with a-hooked- intended to work seamlessly with 28 mm tires remarkably the wheel