Will Van Aert and Vingegaard shine in the Tour time trial with the new Cervélo?

On day six, the 'incident' with Jasper Philipsen was still the main focus. The following day, at Visma | Lease a Bike, especially regarding Wout van Aert, Jonas Vingegaard, and Matteo Jorgenson, all eyes will be on the crucial time trial in the Tour de France. IDLProCycling.com discussed it with team leader Frans Maassen!

"I think we are reasonably well prepared for the time trial given the circumstances. In my opinion, we can perform well. We are very motivated," the 59-year-old DS said clearly and ambitiously. For Van Aert, the 25-kilometer time trial between Nuits-Saint-Georges and Gevrey-Chambertin serves as a dress rehearsal and important test for the Olympic time trial in Paris, while for Vingegaard, it is obviously a crucial stage in the hunt for the yellow jersey.

Vingegaard, Van Aert, and Jorgenson will give it their all in the Tour time trial on behalf of Visma | Lease a Bike

"It has been quite difficult for Jonas to regain his original time trial position," Maassen said regarding the Dane's long rehabilitation process. "He came into this Tour at a disadvantage. To get him to the start, we first had to find the ideal setup. As a result, he missed some time trial training. It's always a challenge to find a balance. When you've spent twelve days in the hospital, missed the Dauphiné, and were in such bad shape, you're very far behind and have a lot of catching up to do. We've tried to find that ideal balance. I think we’ve succeeded very well."

There’s no lack of ambition and confidence from Maassen, who likely speaks for a killer bees team that is all on the same page. "I do think Jonas is ready. I'm sure of it. He has already shown that he’s ready. Jonas is super strong, although there are of course several others who are doing exceptionally well. But regarding Jonas, we see an incredibly high level, so we head into the rest of the Tour with a lot of confidence. And that includes the time trial."

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Many see Remco Evenepoel and yellow jersey holder Tadej Pogacar as the top favorites for the stage win in Burgundy, including the Limburg team leader. "I expect a top performance from Pogacar. I think he is currently the most complete rider of them all. He will certainly be very good, but that doesn't matter to us. We have to reach our own level. We must not disappoint ourselves. We need to make sure we are sharp every day. And then we'll see at the end what it brings us."

"Wout van Aert is Wout van Aert, huh. You should never underestimate him"

So, the Vingegaard plan is clear. But what about the Van Aert plan, the rider who almost crashed in Dijon due to an illegal maneuver by Philipsen? "I also expect a good performance from Wout in the time trial. We will go all out with three riders. Besides Wout and Jonas, there's also Matteo Jorgenson. The rest will have a sort of rest day. From those three, I expect a good result from each," said an optimistic coach.

But what exactly was the situation with Van Aert's time trial preparations, considering he also had his share of setbacks? "Just like Jonas, Wout has had to make concessions. He hasn't had an optimal time trial preparation either. So we'll see to what extent he has paid the price for that. I think the course suits him. After several Tour stages, he has done his cool-downs on the time trial bike to make up for the missed training sessions a bit. Can he compete for the win? Wout van Aert is Wout van Aert, huh. You should never underestimate him. So I would certainly say he will be in the running for the win, especially since he will be giving it his all."

Is new Cervélo model the key to success?

So much for Maassen's words. Let's conclude this Visma | LaB preview with some bike specifics. The team announced to the cycling press that the Tour time trial will be ridden on a brand-new Cervélo P5. "This bike exudes speed and is even faster than its predecessor, with more comfort. On July 5, 2024, the new Cervélo P5 should propel Visma | Lease a Bike to a time trial win and the yellow jersey," the statement read. "The new P5 is based on thirty years of expertise in aerodynamics. With this, Cervélo has once again developed the fastest time trial bike. The frame is stiff, aerodynamic, and accommodates faster wheels and tires. The geometry remains exactly the same as the previous P5."

What exactly should we expect from this new model? Here's a breakdown:

• The new P5 is approximately 5 watts faster than its predecessor. This power gain mainly comes from the new Reserve 77/88 wheels.

• The chainstay spacing has been increased to accommodate a new generation of wider, faster wheels.

• The stack is now adjustable up to 40 mm, while the height of the TT handlebar drops by 10 mm, minimizing the frontal area.
• The new riser increases adjustability, from 0 to 30 degrees, in 5-degree increments.
  

• The new P5 frame is about 1 watt faster and more aerodynamic than the previous model.