Tadej Pogačar, the formidable cyclist from UAE Team Emirates, showcased his expertise in time trialling at the Giro d’Italia, securing victory on stage 7 with a remarkable performance. Pogačar’s prowess in this discipline is well-documented, with an impressive tally of five individual time trial victories in his career, including the iconic Tour de France triumph at Planches des Belles Filles in 2020.
During stage 7, Pogačar not only gained significant time over his general classification rivals but also clinched the stage win by surpassing specialist Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) with a stellar effort on the final ascent.
A pivotal aspect of time trial success lies in aerodynamics and equipment optimization, complemented by Pogačar’s exceptional physical form. Ahead of his stage-winning performance, we scrutinized the bike that propelled him to dominance in Perugia.
Colnago TT1 Frameset
Pogačar rode the Colnago TT1 frameset, succeeding the K.One time trial bike upon its debut in 2022. This model marked Colnago’s maiden venture into disc brake time trial bikes, featuring aerodynamic tube profiles, including an aero bottle cleverly integrated between the seatpost and downtube to streamline airflow around the bike.
Notably, the TT1 boasts a distinctive rear triangle design, where seatstays rise diagonally before extending horizontally to the seat tube, minimizing the frontal area of the chainstay for enhanced aerodynamic efficiency.
Innovative Handlebars and Drivetrain
At the bike’s front end, Pogačar utilized what appears to be prototype bars from team sponsor ENVE, custom-molded to seamlessly integrate with Pogačar’s forearms. This bespoke design likely involved close collaboration with the team to optimize aerodynamics and rider comfort.
In a departure from the norm, Pogačar opted for a conventional Shimano Dura-Ace 2x crankset with Carbon-Ti chainrings—a 60-tooth outer ring paired with a 46-tooth inner ring. This gearing choice proved strategic, especially given the challenging 6.5km climb with steep ramps exceeding 10% on the course. The broader gear range afforded by the 2x setup enabled Pogačar to optimize his pedaling cadence throughout the time trial.
Customized for Grand Tour Success
Pogačar’s bike received the special treatment befitting a Grand Tour leader, adorned with the distinctive maglia rosa accents. The Colnago logo, head unit, and transponder mounted under the saddle all proudly sported the iconic pink, symbolizing Pogačar’s dominance in the race.
As Pogačar extended his overall lead by 46 seconds following his stage-winning effort, the stage is set for further intrigue as the Giro progresses, particularly with the anticipation of contrasting setups for the forthcoming flatter time trials.
Pogačar’s commanding display not only underscores his individual brilliance but also highlights the meticulous attention to detail and technological innovation that underpin success in modern cycling’s against-the-clock battles.