Tour de France bikes: Geraint Thomas's new Pinarello Bolide F TT

Tour de France bikes: Geraint Thomas's new Pinarello Bolide F TT

Thomas had already ridden it at the Critérium du Dauphiné, but now Pinarello has officially lifted the veil on its new time trial masterpiece

Photos: James Startt Words: Nick Busca

Like the new Trek Madone, the newest iteration of the Pinarello Bolide (called Bolide F TT) appeared, not so subtly, at the Critérium du Dauphiné last month.
On that occasion, Geraint Thomas (winner of the GC and runner-up in the time trial in Vaduz behind Remco Evenepoel) had ridden a black and white camo frame.

Related: Rouleur podcast. Tour de France Preview

But now that the Tour de France is underway, we've got a closer look at G's official coloured Bolide ahead of the opening ITT in Copenhagen. And it's everything you'd expect from a Bolide.

At first glance – and even more so when looking at the customised black and white model of the TT World Champion Filippo Ganna – the new Bolide looks 'muscular'. That's a result of new tube shapes used throughout the frame, a solution that makes the Bolide look a bit like its little sister Dogma F, Ineos Grenadiers' choice for road stages.

Related: Tour de France 2022. Route and stagesThe new Bolide F TT, following in the footsteps of Pinarello's triathlon Bolide, is now fitted with disc brakes too. It may have lost some speed there due to the increase in drag, but the improvements in handling and braking performances surely outweigh the losses.

Related: Tour de France price money. How much does the winner make?

And with the use of disc brakes, as we've learned in the last couple of years, the Bolide F TT can now fit wider tires, once again an improvement in terms of rolling resistance and something that will ultimately increase speed on the road and comfort in the TT position.

The Bolide can run 28mm tyres, if you were wondering. Thomas will ride Conti 5000 tyres – with the German brand being one of the main technical sponsors of the Tour.

Related: How fit are Tour de France riders?

But there are no tyres without wheels, and we're sure you've noticed the nice-looking prototype of Princeton CarbonWorks wheelset (tri-spoke in the front, disc in the back).

The front end of the Bolide is also brand new, where most of the aero gains come from, according to Pinarello. The main news lies in the handlebars' shape and the integrated Most TT bars (titanium 3D printed). These cost between €17,000 and €20,000. Yes, just for the bars.

It is still not clear what drivetrain and chainring will Thomas will use on the opening stage of the Tour, but apparently not the Dura Ace Di2 pictured here.

Is he going for a big cookie again?


Photos: James Startt Words: Nick Busca

READ MORE

‘It would be a shame to get stuck in disappointment’ - Wout van Aert is a fighter

‘It would be a shame to get stuck in disappointment’ - Wout van Aert is a fighter

Despite the criticism he has faced following his Dwars door Vlaanderen disaster, the Belgian is still motivated ahead of the Tour of Flanders

Leggi di più
SD Worx-Protime v Elisa Longo Borghini: the Tour of Flanders mind games have begun

SD Worx-Protime v Elisa Longo Borghini: the Tour of Flanders mind games have begun

Both Elisa Longo Borghini and Lotte Kopecky are looking to win De Ronde for a record third time. Can anyone spoil the party? 

Leggi di più
Mads Pedersen might go long at Tour of Flanders again: 'I can’t wait to see what the others do'

Mads Pedersen might go long at Tour of Flanders again: 'I can’t wait to see what the others do'

The Lidl-Trek rider finished second in De Ronde in 2018, and has been trying ever since to elevate himself onto the podium's top spot. To...

Leggi di più
Tour of Flanders CEO is changing cycling like no one has before: ‘There’s no such thing as a rule'

Tour of Flanders CEO is changing cycling like no one has before: ‘There’s no such thing as a rule'

Former basketball player Tomas Van Den Spiegel has revolutionised Flanders Classics, creating a model of bike races that could become the benchmark for all. And...

Leggi di più
Tour of Flanders 2025 men preview: Is there any beating Tadej Pogačar?

Tour of Flanders 2025 men preview: Is there any beating Tadej Pogačar?

Rouleur takes a look at the favourites for De Ronde this Sunday

Leggi di più
‘Social media is a cancer of society’ - This is how Tadej Pogačar is doing things his own way

‘Social media is a cancer of society’ - This is how Tadej Pogačar is doing things his own way

The world champion says that making his own choices, keeping things fun and blocking out the noise is crucial to his success 

Leggi di più

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE