So much excitement surrounds the start of a new season; new teams, bikes, kit, components and riders to see. We were on the ground at the first WorldTour race of the year, the Santos Tour Down Under to see what's new, what's been changed and what's stayed the same for the 18 WorldTour teams in 2017. And most importantly, we profile each of team bike including the bike manufacturer, groupset, wheels and component choice.
AG2R-LA MONDIALE
French team AG2R La Mondiale will be on board a new steed for 2017, making the move from Focus to Factor, a premium bike brand that sponsored Pro-Conti outfit ONE Pro Cycling in 2016. The team will be riding the lightweight 'O2' bike (pictured), and further into the season will also have access to the aerodynamic 'One' option, which is currently being developed to better suit the team's GC ambitions.
Also changing in 2017 are the groupset (SRAM to Shimano), wheels, (Zipp to Mavic), cockpit components (Zipp to Black Inc.) and power meters (Quarq to SRM).
- Bike manufacturer: Factor
- Groupset: Shimano
- Wheels: Mavic
- Cockpit: Black Inc.
ASTANA
Astana is another team to switch bikes for the 2017 season, moving from Specialized to Canadian brand Argon-18. The riders will have the choice of the lightweight Gallium Pro (pictured) and aero Nitrogen Pro road bike models with FSA supplying virtually everything you see on the bike. The groupset is a mixture of FSA (crankset) and Shimano (everything else), but this is likely to change to solely FSA later in the season once final details of their full groupset are confirmed. The wheels are Vision (an arm of FSA) and the power data will be provided by the spider-based system from power2max.
- Bike manufacturer: Argon 18
- Groupset: FSA / Shimano
- Wheels: Vision
- Cockpit: FSA
BAHRAIN-MERIDA
The new team of Bahrain-Merida will be chasing GC success on board either the lightweight Scultura Team or aerodynamic Reacto Team (pictured). Much like Lampre-Merida of 2016, the new team will be using Shimano groupset and Fulcrum wheels. The whole package is rounded out with FSA cockpit components and SRM’s new ultra-light power meter.
- Bike manufacturer: Merida
- Groupset: Shimano
- Wheels: Fulcrum
- Cockpit: FSA
BMC
Very little has changed for BMC as far as bike and component selection is concerned. The team will primarily use the Teammachine SLR01 (pictured), equipped with Shimano groupset and wheels, and SRM power meters. The biggest change is the new red colorway and a move to Vittoria tires from Continental.
- Bike manufacturer: BMC
- Groupset: Shimano
- Wheels: Shimano
- Cockpit: 3T
BORA-HANSGROHE
All the talk of the 2017 off-season was that Bora-Hansgrohe has moved to Specialized Bicycles with the signing of two-time consecutive road world champion and genuine superstar of world cycling, Peter Sagan. Riders will have the luxury of being able to choose from the versatile S-Works Tarmac, aerodynamic Venge ViAS (pictured), and the new Roubaix, which is likely to make a showing during the cobbled classics. Shimano provides the groupset, with a 4iiii power meter then added to it. Specialized’s own brand Roval provides the wheels and PRO (an arm of Shimano) provides the cockpit components on the Tarmac, but not the Venge, which has its own unique Vias handlebar set-up.
- Bike manufacturer: Specialized
- Groupset: Shimano
- Wheels: Roval
- Cockpit: Pro
CANNONDALE-DRAPAC
Cannondale-Drapac is another team to remain with the status quo for 2017. Riders will predominantly be onboard the SuperSix Evo (pictured) with the exception of some of the rougher Classics races, where Cannondale's endurance-focused model the Synapse may get a look in. Once again Shimano provides the groupset (with some riders using Cannondale's own SISL2 cranks), Mavic the wheels, FSA the components and SRM the power data.
- Bike manufacturer: Cannondale
- Groupset: Shimano
- Wheels: Mavic
- Cockpit: FSA
DIMENSION DATA
Following on from 2016, Cervelo again provides the bikes for Dimension Data in 2017, in the form of the lightweight R5 and aero S5 (pictured), with a slightly new colorway. Rotor is the official drivetrain sponsor along with KMC for chains (gold if you don't mind), but while Rotor’s Uno hydraulic groupset remains in development, the team will complete their groupset with Shimano components. ENVE provides the wheels and cockpit components, and Rotor supplies its own power meter crankset.
- Bike manufacturer: Cervelo
- Groupset: Rotor / Shimano
- Wheels: ENVE
- Cockpit: ENVE
FDJ
With the constant changes of bike sponsors in the WorldTour, it's worth recognizing French team FDJ and their fifteen-year partnership with fellow French company Lapierre. The marriage is the longest within the WorldTour and so it's no surprise we don't see any wholesale changes to their bikes. The lightweight Xelius SL model (pictured) is being used at the Tour Down Under. Shimano provides the groupset and wheels, PRO provides the cockpit components, and the team are using the new Shimano Dura-Ace power meter.
- Bike manufacturer: Lapierre
- Groupset: Shimano
- Wheels: Shimano
- Cockpit: PRO
KATUSHA-ALPECIN
Not a great deal has changed for Katusha (aside from adding Alpecin as a co-naming sponsor) in terms of bikes, with Canyon still providing the lightweight and versatile Ultimate CF SLX and aero Aeroad CF SLX (pictured) options to riders in 2017. This is the only WorldTour team using SRAM in 2017 (wireless eTap Red 22 used throughout), paired with Quarq power meters and Zipp wheels, both subsidiaries of SRAM. An interesting note is that SRAM still doesn’t offer a direct-mount brake to suit the Aeroad frames, and so Katusha is using unbranded Shimano Dura-Ace brake calipers on these aero bikes.
- Bike manufacturer: Canyon
- Groupset: SRAM
- Wheels: Zipp
- Cockpit: Canyon
LOTTONL-JUMBO
LottoNL Jumbo riders are spoilt for choice with bike sponsor Bianchi providing the aerodynamic Oltre XR4 (pictured), the lightweight Specialissima and the more endurance-focused Infinito CV, which is expected to appear during the Classics, to choose from. Shimano provides the groupset and wheels, FSA provides the cockpit components including the Vision Metron 5D one-piece handlebar and stem which complements the Oltre XR4's aero profile. Pioneer continues its power meter sponsorship, too.
- Bike manufacturer: Bianchi
- Groupset: Shimano
- Wheels: Shimano
- Cockpit: FSA
LOTTO SOUDAL
No big changes for Lotto Soudal in 2017 with the Belgium team still on board Ridley bikes and Campagnolo components. Riders can choose from the lightweight Helium (pictured) and the aero Noah SL. A new version of the Helium (labelled SLX) with internal cable routing, a straight bladed fork and smoother tube shapes can already be seen underneath some riders here at the Tour Down Under.
Campagnolo provides the groupset and wheels, Deda supply cockpit components, with SRM taking care of power measurement. Vittoria takes over from Continental as the tyre sponsor.
- Bike manufacturer: Ridley
- Groupset: Campagnolo
- Wheels: Campagnolo
- Cockpit: Deda
MOVISTAR
It's business as usual for Movistar in 2017 as the partnership between Canyon and Campagnolo continues. Riders can choose between the lightweight and versatile Ultimate CF SLX (pictured) or the more aggressive Aeroad, but given the prevalence of GC riders amongst the line-up and their 2017 ambitions, the Ultimate is the bike of choice more often than not. Campagnolo provides the groupset, with riders typically opting for SuperRecord EPS. The wheels are Campagnolo, too, and power2max provide the power meters.
- Bike manufacturer: Canyon
- Groupset: Campagnolo
- Wheels: Campagnolo
- Cockpit: Canyon
ORICA-SCOTT
Scott has sponsored the Australian team since its WorldTour inception in 2012 and the relationship only seems to be strengthening with Scott becoming co-naming sponsors for 2017. All the riders are on the aerodynamic Foil (pictured) at the Tour Down Under but also have the choice of the lightweight and versatile Addict when they head back to Europe. Shimano again provides the groupset and wheels, and Scott’s own Syncros brand provide the cockpit components. SRM provide the power meters.
- Bike manufacturer: Scott
- Groupset: Shimano
- Wheels: Shimano
- Cockpit: Syncros
QUICKSTEP FLOORS
Aside from a name change and new splash of color on the kit, QuickStep Floors (formally Etixx-Quickstep) will be riding much the same set-up in 2017. The riders will again choose from the Specialized stable, (S-Works Tarmac pictured) equipped with Shimano groupset, Roval wheels and FSA cockpit components, while 4iiii will provide the power data.
- Bike manufacturer: Specialized
- Groupset: Shimano
- Wheels: Roval
- Cockpit: FSA
TEAM SUNWEB
Despite seemingly having the same set-up as 2016, Sunweb (previously Giant-Alpecin) have a number of new features for 2017. For starters, the bikes have moved away from the traditional Giant blue colorway to a red, white and black motif. We have only seen the well-rounded TCR Advanced SL (pictured) at the Tour Down Under, and we're told it's the bike that will see use until mid-season. Expect to see the endurance-focused Defy Advanced SL in the classics.
Giant have stepped up their involvement, taking over from PRO as the component provider for the team which includes saddle, bar, stem and even computer. Shimano remains as the groupset and wheel sponsor, and will also become the power meter provider when the team makes the switch from Pioneer in the coming months.
- Bike manufacturer: Giant
- Groupset: Shimano
- Wheels: Shimano
- Cockpit: Giant
SKY
Team Sky has started the new year by unveiling a new bike, the Dogma F10. Replacing the F8, the new F10 has shed some weight, increased in stiffness, improved aerodynamics and enhanced functionality by moving the Di2 junction box from beneath the stem to an easily accessible and cleaner downtube position. For a more in-depth look at the new Pinarello F10, check out our Ten things to know feature.
Shimano provides the groupset and wheels, PRO provide the cockpit components and Stages provide the power meters.
- Bike manufacturer: Pinarello
- Groupset: Shimano
- Wheels: Shimano
- Cockpit: PRO
TREK-SEGAFREDO
Trek Segafredo riders are another group that have three bikes to choose from: the aerodynamic Madone, the lightweight Emonda (pictured) and the endurance-focused Domane. Almost all riders are onboard the Madone at the Tour Down Under, with a couple of exceptions on the Emonda. Shimano provides the groupset while Trek-owned company Bontrager provide the wheels and other components. SRM continues as the power meter supplier. The team is still riding its 2016 race bikes at the Tour Down Under, with new slightly changed paint and new Shimano Dura-Ace awaiting the team's return to Europe.
- Bike manufacturer: Trek
- Groupset: Shimano
- Wheels: Bontrager
- Cockpit: Bontrager
UAE ABU DHABI
Colnago makes its return to the WorldTour thanks to team UAE Abu Dhabi (formally Lampre-Merida and also for a short period of time referred to as TJ Sport). The Italian-registered team will be riding unquestionable Italian heritage in the form of Colnago and Campagnolo, and riders will have the choice of the C60 (pictured) and the aerodynamic Concept. Campagnolo provides the groupsets and wheels, Deda the cockpit components and power2max the power meters.
- Bike manufacturer: Colnago
- Groupset: Campagnolo
- Wheels: Campagnolo
- Cockpit: Deda
For a more detailed view and description of each bike, head over to CyclingTips for their WorldTour Bikes of 2017 feature. Thanks to CyclingTips for the images.
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