As I write this there is a distinctly non-Belgian feeling, regardless of being on the cusp of an important race of the 12 months for the nation, the Tour of Flanders. On the eve of The Massive One, on an unseasonably heat day, between choosing up press accreditation, consuming a really nice mint choc chip ice cream, and planning logistics for what’s at all times a chaotic day I managed to sneak a half hour on the Lotto crew lodge.Â
Lotto has been sponsoring a biking crew for 40 years, and as such has lots of heritage to attract upon. Being a Belgian lottery, it stands to purpose that it will wish to rejoice its anniversary at an important race for the ecu nation.Â
Whereas the crew used to boast a Belgian bike sponsor within the type of Ridley, its present sponsor Orbea, hailing from the Basque Nation, has stepped as much as the plate and given every rider on the Tour of Flanders a particular customized paint job, impressed by a Lotto jersey from days passed by.Â
Whereas I did not get a change to {photograph} all of them – if there’s one factor you do not do the day earlier than Flanders is push your luck with a crew mechanic – I did handle to snag 5 of them, so now all of us get to play a sport of match the bike to the jersey.Â
No spoilers, you are by yourself right here.
First up we’ve got this neon quantity for Alec Segaert (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Hints of blue, the odd sprint of peach. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Peach is a theme that then runs into the bike of Jenno Berckmoes. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Plus, once more, some blue and periwinkle notes. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
The geometric patterns are akin to what we regularly see on prototypes to cover th eoutlines. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Lennert van Eetvelt had a way more understated bike. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
No patterns, only a turquoise and a marine blue, with loads of glitter flake. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Oddly this bike had no energy meter. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Hub OK? I certain hope it’s! (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Lastly, again onto the patterns, with this child pink choice for Brent van Mooer, which we’ll go into in additional (Moore?) element. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
A 3D printed saddle, slammed all the way in which ahead for the rangy belgian. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
A strip of gold paint makes sure the saddle top is at all times bang on. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Oddly the rear dropouts of those Orbea Orca Aero bikes have a via axle and a vertical dropout slot. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
The rear brake caliper was a solit steel unit, 140mm in diameter. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Whereas the entrance rotor was a 160mm floating rotor, additionally from Galfe, and aftermarket brake element model. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
No additional grip tape on the bottle cages, regardless of the cobbles. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
A 30mm tyre entrance and rear was nearly accommodated. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Here is that 3D printed saddle once more – The bike is on the bigger dimension, so each gram counts to maintain it aggressive. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
The 30mm entrance tyre is basically squeezed in underneath the downtube. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
The Orbea wordmark is difficult to make out in opposition to the infant pink. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
A 30mm entrance tyre is starting to look just a little old-fashioned in right this moment’s fashionable tech panorama, however some bikes even had a 28c! (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Additional satellite tv for pc shifters to assist on the drops. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
And an aftermarket carbon pc mount to shave a ultimate few grams. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
The most recent race content material, interviews, options, critiques and skilled shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
