The mechanics have a very important and stressful job at the Giro d’Italia TT
Every second will count for the GC riders in this gruelling test
The final time trial of the Giro d’Italia is a doozy. It’s only 18.6 km but the last 7 km are uphill, with some of the sections being extremely steep. But given that the first half is flat, most riders will opt for a time trial bike to start.
However, given the nature of the course, many riders will swap out their TT rigs for lightweight climbing machines. There are rumors that some cyclists might even change out their aero helmets for the final climb, which sounds like a risky gambit, given how long it may take.
The Giro has picked one spot where cyclists may change their bike, effectively a pit like in F1. Riders will enter the area and jump off as the team wrench gives them their climbing bike and a quick push. There is a 25 m zone in which the staff can run with their riders.
Mechanics are used to doing this, of course, in the heat of the moment. A flat tire in the thick of a race means the staff need to jump out of the car and make a super-fast wheel or bike change. Too long of a swap could be disaster for the rider.
On Saturday, mechanics need to be precise and swift when it comes to the change. Jumbo-Visma apparently even flew in a special mechanic who excels at bike changes.
Check out how the bike changes look below.
?♂️Here is one of the key moments of today's time trial: the bike change ?
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?♂️ Ecco uno dei momenti chiave della della cronometro di oggi. Il cambio bici ?#Giro #GirodItalia pic.twitter.com/FtAAVfGDtH— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 27, 2023
