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Bontrager wheels tackle the 2001 Tour De France

By Cyclingnews staff

AG2R team bikes ready for action.

For the 2001 Tour de France, Team AG2R Prevoyance will use the new range of professional level Bontrager Wheelworks to challenge the roads of France, from Alpine passes to fast city roads. AG2R team director sportif Vincent Lavenu told Cyclingnews at the start of the Tour de France that "we’re really pleased with the performance of our Bontrager Race X-Lite wheels. Our riders have already tested them in race conditions like the Dauphine Libere and Midi Libre." In fact, Jan Kirsipuu sprinted into the Green Jersey aboard his new Bontrager Race X-Lite.

Bontrager's wheels ready to roll

Lavenu’s confidence is well deserved; wheel designer Keith Bontrager comes from a tradition of building fast, sturdy mountainbike wheels so his new road wheel range are a natural extension of this wealth of experience.

"We chose an approach that, for lack of a better term, you could call function specific design," said Bontrager. KB is sometimes known as an iconoclast but always as a serious product designer whose mountainbike wheels have won kudos worldwide.

Bontrager Wheelworks wheels have a deep section front rim for more efficient aerodynamics, and coupled with their paired bladed spokes, Bontragers are fast and efficient.

CAG2R head mechanic Yves Tomassina prepares the bikes for actipon on stage 1

Riders impressed
AG2R team leader Benoit Salmon told Cyclingnews that "I was surprised how light and stiff the new Bontrager wheels are when I used them in a long training ride before the Tour De France."

Salmon also liked the deep section aerodynamic rims of the Race X-Lite wheels. "Yes, they are very fast on the descents," said Salmon, a climbing specialist who was third in the recent Dauphine Libere.

Yves Tomassina, AG2R head mechanic, was impressed with the Design of the Race X-Lite rear wheels. "I notice that the rear wheels have a lower section to be stronger and offset spoke beds to reduce dish. We find that this makes for a stronger wheel, especially with the beating pros deliver!"

Tomassina also liked the way the Race X-Lite rear wheel driveside often has bigger spokes. "C’est solide - tres costaud, mais leger." (Translation: It’s solid; quite strong but lightweight).

Maillot Vert Jan Kirsipuu told cyclingnews.com that "when I’m sprinting I am sure of these new Race X-Lites. They are light and strong and rigid. Just what I need in those tough Tour De France sprints."

Yves does final adjustments.