Paris-Roubaix, technology goes to Hell: the deflatable wheels of the Jumbo and the softened handlebars of Ganna
[ad_1]
Technology invades the Paris-Roubaix. It seems a contradiction, but the race more a l’ancienne of the world will again be a testing ground for manufacturers. The big news comes from home Jumbo-Visma, but won’t touch Wout Van Aert, one of the big favorites of the 120th edition of the Queen of the Classics. As if to say: “It’s just an experiment”. But that’s the direction and from there, as happened in the case of disc brakes, it is difficult to go back.
The new Jumbo “deflatable” wheels
During Roubaix the defending champion Dylan van Baarle, Christophe Laporte and Edward Affini they will use wheels equipped with KAPS technology. The system, developed by the Eindhoven-based company Gravaa, allows runners to adjust away bluetooth the tire pressure during the race so that it is optimal for each surface. The director and co-owner of Gravaa, Gertjan van Ginderenexplained the system thus: “We have spent many years developing this technology and we are delighted that Jumbo-Visma is adopting it now. Tire pressure is controlled by an advanced mechatronic system fully integrated into the hub of each wheel. The rider can easily increase or decrease the pressure by pressing a button on the wireless control unit installed on the handlebar. The tire pressure will always remain at this pre-set level. The wheels, the cycle computer and the control unit communicate via bluetooth”. tested the technology in training and in competition earlier this year – he proved it Related during one of the Belgian semi-classics, the Dwars – and the UCI has officially given the green light to its use. The pressure will be kept at maximum in the sections on asphalt, while the tubulars will be “deflated” in anticipation of the 29 sections of pavé, where better adaptation to the irregularities of the terrain is needed. The difference would be approximately two and a half bars: from 5 to 2.5. Teams generally choose something in between (4 bars) for Roubaix. The nodal point of KAPS wheels is in the hub, where a pump is installed. This is driven by the rotation of the wheel, like the old dynamo. As soon as the pressure reaches the correct level, the pump switches off. There is an air filter on the side of the hub, which allows air from the atmosphere to enter the pump. All this happens in a few tenths of a second, with minimal energy and speed dispersion compared to the advantages in terms of smoothness and control. Racers will be able to check the pressure directly on their on-board computer.
Similar system for the Dsm
The other Dutch team, DSM, will also use similar technology, lo Scope Atmoz. It is a tire pressure management system that will allow athletes to inflate and deflate, but also monitor the pressure through air chambers located in the hubs and connected to the exclusively tubeless tires via a small tube that runs parallel to the spoke. A year ago, DSM gave up the use of the Scope Atmoz system at the last minute.
Paris-Roubaix, goats along the route: green method to eliminate weeds
by Cosimo Cito
Ganna rides his usual bike
Much simpler are the choices of Philip Ganna, who will use a Pinarello Dogma F, the one from Sanremo, with slightly larger tires, with a greater quantity of anti-puncture liquid and double tape on the handlebars, with gel between the two layers for greater comfort for the hands, which are almost dramatically strained by the pave cubes. Roubaix is run there Easter Sunday: the start at 10.30 (live on Eurosport, on Raidue starting from 13).
Paris-Roubaix women, Canadian Jackson wins (who then dances). Katia Ragusa is second
by Cosimo Cito
[ad_2]
Source link
