At the team hotel I was able to get a quick look at the Agritubel caravan before stage one. The cars are Alfa Romeos mounted with roof racks, two of which are loaded with bikes. And, despite the constant rain, always seem to be perfectly clean on the outside at least.

In total there were four sport wagons and two massive trucks built solely for transporting bikes and equipment. Also, there is the team bus. The team bus has slide-outs (rooms that move out from the inside) and its first class inside, were I only got a peek. (I have a video Tour of the Saunier Duval-Scott team but and I will post that ASAP).

Typically the team buses have changing rooms, two showers, bathroom, rows of seats for riders, kind of like a standard bus, but the seats are super comfy. The kitchen is fully equipped – fridge, stove, microwave, cabinets, etc. - and there is a large room with several televisions where the team meets before the stage to discuss strategy. The buses are solely for the riders comfort, they can relax, it is quiet and the windows are all one-way so they cannot be seen. It’s their seclusion form the pain of the day’s stage and the pressure of the public. Most riders retreat to the team bus at every opportunity prior and post stage.

There are lots of storage nooks and everything is built to its maximum efficiency. There are also two televisions that mount on the outside so the public can see what is happening when a signal is available. Obviously every bus (and car) have several communication devices to stay in touch logistically. The buses are rated to travel between 80 and 100 kph, but I almost always saw them going at least 110. All the various team buses travel in small caravans, kind of like elephants, from start to next finish, repeat. Oftentimes you can pass them for a few minutes as you go from stage to stage.

The trucks are simply warehouses on wheels with racks and rows of wheels, frames, bikes, and equipment. All of the equipment will fit inside these two trucks except people.

While the riders have physically the hardest job, in many ways, they have the simplest. They show up, dress, eat, ride, maybe sign autographs and grant an interview. For the 9 riders on each team there are at least 30 people pulling together all the logistics of equipment, hotels, food, laundry, wrenching, massage, strategy. It’s a massive undertaking and most of it happens when the riders are off the bike.

Again I want to thank the SRAM RED teams, Saunier Duval-Scott and Agritubel, for letting me inside. Thanks particularly to Dominique and Mario.

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