Tech gallery: More new equipment at the Tour de France

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The Euskaltel-Euskadi team rode out on Orbea’s new Orca Race, a more organic evolution on the previous model that is based on stack and reach measurements, rather than conventional seat-tube and top tube numbers

The Euskaltel-Euskadi te🅷am rode out on Orbea’s new Orca Race, a more organic evolution on the previous model that is based on stack and reach measurements, rather than convenᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚtional seat-tube and top tube numbers (Image credit: Robin Wilmott)
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The only hangover from Blanco days at the completely refreshed squad however were the Tacx bidons - all the bikes carried them

The only hangover fr♑om Blanco days at the completely refreshed squad however were the Tacx bidons - all t༒he bikes carried them (Image credit: Robin Wilmott)
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Pinot seems to be trialling his position – the saddle is set back to almost comic proportions and at the front end there was steering spacers on top of his stem to allow for upward adjustment

Pinot seems to be trialling his position – the💟 saddle is set back to𒁃 almost comic proportions and at the front end there was steering spacers on top of his stem to allow for upward adjustment (Image credit: Robin Wilmott)
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Thibaut Pinot’s (FDJ) Lapierre Xelius EFi frame was carrying a modified fork, with the top front edge cut away to accept a Shimano Dura-Ace Direct Mount brake

Thibaut Pinot’s (FDJ) Lapierre Xelius EFi frame was carrying a modified fork, with the top front edge cut away to accept a ♕Shimano Dura-Ace Direct Mount brake (Image credit: Robin Wilmott)
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Tyre maker Schwalbe have a new tyre in the athlete-testing process. These tyres on the AG2R-La Mondiale squad bikes bear the maker’s First Ride stamp on a model with a new diamond tread. It’s called the One

Tyre maker Schwalbe have a new tyre in the athlete-testing process. These tyres on the AG2R-La Mondiale squad bikes bear the maker’൲s First Ride stamp on a model with a new diamond tread. It’s called the One (Image credit: Robin Wilmott)
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New to the 695 AeroLight is the Look AeroStem – an elegant, more aerodynamic evolution to the angular and brick-like C-Stem. The clamping mechanism is covered under the rubberised flap

New to the 𝔉695 AeroLight is the Look AeroStem – an elegant, more aerodynamic evolution to the angular and brick-like C-Stem. The clamping mechanism is covered under the rubberised flap (Image credit: Robin Wilmott)
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Hidden among the Cofidis team bikes was Christophe Le Mével’s Look 695 Aerolight. He was the only rider on the new frame. Instead of using Look’s one-piece Z2 crank, however, mechanics fitted a team issue FSA K-Force Light

Hidden among the Cofidis team bikes was Christophe Le Mével’s Look 695 Aerolight. He was the only rider on the new frame. Instead of using Look’s one-piece Z2 crank, howe🀅ver, mechanics fitted a team issue FSA K-Force Light (Image credit: Robin Wilmott)
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There were three different styles of seatpost on the Orcas at the Euskaltel-Euskadi bikes – one straight and two with setback, and this was the most radical

There were three different styles of seatpost on the Orcas at the Euskaltel-Euska🎐di bikes – one straight a🍷nd two with setback, and this was the most radical (Image credit: Robin Wilmott)
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Rubén Pérez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) was getting into the Tour mode with the special edition Polar RC3 Bike GPS watch. We’re not sure what proportion of the aero advantage of the new Orca frame is offset against the mounting

Rubén Pérez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) was getting into the Tour mode with the special edition Polar RC3 Bike GPS watch. We’re not su✤re what proportion of the aero advantage of the꧅ new Orca frame is offset against the mounting (Image credit: Robin Wilmott)
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A decade on from the first Orca, the new model is compatible with both electronic and mechanical groupsets

A decade on from the first Orca, 🐻the new model is compatible with both electronic♕ and mechanical groupsets (Image credit: Robin Wilmott)
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The kinked seatstays and chainstays have been retained in the new Orca, but have been sculpted to give a more flowing look to the whole

The kinked seatstays and chainstays have been retained in the new Orca, but have been sculpted to giveꩲ a more flowing🎶 look to the whole (Image credit: Robin Wilmott)
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Dutch Team Belkin had seen that most components – including the Pioneer power meters - matched the sponsors new colours

Dutch ♐Team Belkin had seen that most components – including the Pioneer power meters - matched the sponsors new colours෴ (Image credit: Robin Wilmott)

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Sam started as a trainee reporter on daily newspapers in the UK before moving to South Africa where he contributed to national cycl🔯ing magazine Ride for three years. After moving back t🥀o the UK he joined Procycling as a staff writer in November 2010.