The Tour de France opening team time trial saw fast racing, high drama, and a massive collection of exciting tech innovation.
(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
Updated July 5, 2026 12:50AM
The Tour de France got underway on July 4th with an explosive evening time trial around the streets of Barcelona, Spain. Jonas Vingegaard and Visma-Lease a Bike proved fastest on the day and will be looking to keep the battle going against Tadej Pogačar and the rest of his rivals over the next 20 stages, but for bike nerds, the team time trial at the Tour de France is much more than just the results. The day lives on through the tech of the race, as it provides a key snapshot for the tech trends of the year.
So, to find those trends and look at what is new, what is in vogue, and what might be coming right around the corner, we made our way around to every team bus to find the tech narratives from the Tour’s opening time trial. In Barcelona, the talk of the town was big rings, new frames, and so much more as the best cyclists in the world battled the clock, the heat, and each other over a fascinating 19-kilometer test. Check it all out below:
Before the full pit-walk before the time trial, we took a ride with XDS-Astana as they went through their pre race test ride a few hours before their start time. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)They were riding unpainted X-Lab DB01 time trial bikes. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)For the recon, hydration outweighs optimization. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)All the Shimano teams were using aftermarket big 1x chainrings. Some did not hide the branding, some didn’t have any externally facing markings, and some covered the logos with tape.Yet, regardless of how they did it, every team has gone to 64-68t chain rings. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Before the recon, I managed to see one extra road bike hanging around the back of the team truck. Sure enough, the gold is there for a reason, as it belongs to Alexander Vinokurov, XDS Astana Team Manager. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Even though teams weren’t in full aero equipment, it was important to wear the helmets. Not only does it set the tone, it also provides the same look and feel that will come when it is time to race properly later in the day. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)About two hours before call time, it was back to the paddock for all the team who had been out looking at the course after officials managed to close down the roads in the heart of Barcelona. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)EF Education-EasyPost did the recon in skin suits. Here is Kasper Asgreen. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)As the team scuttled back to the bus, you couldn’t help but notice the big, bullet shaped helmets they had in tow. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)I also snuck a peek at the helmet the day before the opening tt. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Speaking of new helmets, Uvex had a new TT helmet that seems to meet the current moment or short, wide helmets, complete with short, broad visors. Cofidis was sporting these. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Right next door, Visma pulled up from their recon. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Unfortunately, security was tight with the Killer Bees. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)At least it was on brand. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
Third graf
A few last minute fixes for Pinarello Q36.5. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)It is a strange world we live in, as 64t chainrings were standard at the opening team time trial at the Tour. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)The other team on Pinarello was Netcompany Ineos, of course. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)The relatively new Kask time trial helmets were ready for Ganna and Vauquelin. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Here is Ganna in action with that helmet. (Photo: Loic VENANCE / AFP via Getty Images)Spares on the roof ready to go. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)The Scope wheels Netcompany Ineos uses are quite interesting. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)They were also interesting to Alpecin-Premier Tech, who used the wheels with the branding covered over. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Lidl-Trek was another team sourcing time trial wheels separately from their road wheels, using Princeton Carbon Works tri-spoke and disc wheels. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)28mm P-Zero Race Sl-R was the tire of choice for Lidl-Trek and Alpecin Premier-Tech, the two Pirelli-sponsored teams. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)In terms of warm-up areas, Lidl-Trek’s was one of the most aesthetically pleasing zones. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Unfortunately, it was also one of the most closed off when the warm-ups began. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Yet, I did sneak a peek at the team’s Santini aero over shoes branded with neat Gatorade logos. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Looking for UAE Team Emirates? Follow the chants of y si sí coming from the fans in the green kit of El Tri. Mexico loves Isaac Del Toro. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)At the start compound, the team was on lockdown as many fans swarmed around the bus, but we did get a look at the bikes the day before. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)With new Enve SES 100 and Disc wheels at its Pro spec. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Enve is a willing and able partner in the improvements to the tt bike’s system weight. They came on a few years ago and were able to lower the weight of the previous bike through better cockpits and improved wheel weight. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)It is all about the big rings. Tadej will be on a 64t chainring tomorrow. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Decathlon CMA CGM of Paul Seixas was stationed close by, and they were similarly a closed shop. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)We also saw their bike earlier in the week. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Ultimately, the bike was a pretty great example of a “standard” TT bike in 2026. 1X, 64t, clean 3D printed cockpits with high extentions…well, just see for yourself. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Away from the tech on the bike, clothing and cooling were the major subplots. This Cofidis rider took the low-fi approach: take it off. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Pinarello-Q36.5, a brand dedicated to the pursuit of body temperature regulation, was a great example of this. Here is Damien Howson sporting the ice vest that most teams had ready. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)This headband was for the warmup. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Q36.5 has a very neat pocket in the front for a radio, and from recent UCI notices, it better only ever be for a radio. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Hmm, what is going on with this aero base layer? (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Oh, thanks Mr. Tom Pidcock for demonstrating. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Shoe covers are also now completely ubiquitous. Even going as far as showing one could sweep us down a rabbit hole, so I will leave it at this: the two different materials are very, very imortant for the aerodynamics of the system. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Soudal Quick-Step managed to make-up a team specific ice vest. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Yet my favorite solution of the day, however, came from Jayco-AlUla. A nice, cold moist towel was all they needed. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)It did require constant swapping from the soigneur, but the team told us it did a better job of cooling the rider since it provided more chilling at the neck, which was important for internal body temperature. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Like Steve Cummings, it was time for us to watch the race! That is all for today. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
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