{"id":529626,"date":"2026-04-14T03:01:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T03:01:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/529626\/"},"modified":"2026-04-14T03:01:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T03:01:32","slug":"paris-roubaix-femmes-tech-gallery-new-gravel-wheels-crazy-bar-tape-jobs-and-sponsor-incorrect-tyres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/529626\/","title":{"rendered":"Paris-Roubaix Femmes tech gallery: New gravel wheels, crazy bar tape jobs, and sponsor incorrect tyres"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was a bright, sunny morning at the start of the sixth edition of Paris-Roubaix Femmes, though there was still a chill in the shade as the women’s team buses arrived in Denain.<\/p>\n

Paris-Roubaix Femmes covered 143km with 33.7km of cobblestones, including two five-star sectors: Mons-en-P\u00e9v\u00e8le and the Carrefour de l’Arbre, but no Forest of Arenberg.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The start paddock was a relaxed affair. Teams racked bikes in the morning sun, and fans could get close to their favourite riders, UAE Team-ADQ staff even hosted a Domino’s pizza party on the hood of one of their team cars.<\/p>\n

I was there on the tech hunting duty, and there was plenty to spot amongst the women’s teams, mirroring the men’s Paris-Roubaix tech gallery<\/a> published by my colleague Will.<\/p>\n

Highlights ranged from brand new gravel wheels to dual-headed tyre systems, I even spotted some gravel tyres, as well as some cool aftermarket parts I hadn’t seen before.<\/p>\n

A standout from the women’s bikes were several fun personal stem notes they had added, including the race winner, Franziska Koch.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

I started at Team UAE ADQ; they chose the Colnago V5RS, not the super-aero Y1RS that the men’s team usually ride. I love that white-and-blue paint. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Several riders had fully taped their handlebar tops, providing a little more comfort as riders tend to hold the tops more at Roubaix. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

The team had fitted 35mm Continental GP5000 S TR tyres, and they fitted pretty nicely in the Colnago frames. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

The team bikes were fitted with Enve SES 4.5 wheels, a nice combination with the 35mm rubber.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Check out this aftermarket CCD EVO S derailleur pulley from French brand Nova Ride. They were fitted to some of the Ma Petite Enterprise Factor Monzas. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Factor Monzas were used widely at Roubaix this year by Factor-sponsored teams. It is still a race bike, but is a little more durable, and has bigger clearance than some of the brand’s other bikes. This blue looked fantastic in the sunshine. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

The team ran Hutchinson Blackbird Race tyres in a 32mm size and without any tyre inserts.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Next was the Mayenne Monbana My Pie team, the team were racing on Winspace SLC 5.0 machines – the brand’s all-rounder. They had some interesting parts fitted. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

This crankset drew me in, a 54 tooth Cybrei carbon aero chainring, with some electrical tape over the crank arm brand, answer on a postcard… <\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

There were some great messages on handlebars. I love this one. It belongs to Constance Valentin. <\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

The team chose 32mm Hutchinson Blackbird All-Season tyres; probably ideal for Roubaix, but not as fast as something like a Vittoria Corsa Pro. You don’t often see tread like this on race bikes. <\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

All team bikes also had allen keys taped to their computer mounts, I assume to help with emergency wheel changes. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Alison Jackson’s bike was receiving lots of attention thanks to her custom Canadian paint scheme. It was, however, a pretty stock build overall. <\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Spot the speaker, Jackson emerged from the team bus holding a Bluetooth speaker, and it went straight into her bike’s bottle cage. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Jackson’s St Michel – Preference Home team uses an all-French Mavic and Michelin wheel and tyre combination. The wheels were fitted with Mavic Power Cup 32mm tyres. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

It’s great to see Mavic back in the mix; these silver hubs looked great in the spring sunshine. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

The Volkerwessels squad have some super stealth Specialized Tarmacs; the paint jobs just look mean. The team bikes had two-piece bars and stems, and the team ran tyre inserts.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

They also had this cool flat-bar conversion on show, always a fun thing to see. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Fast Forward Ryot 55 wheels and Schwalbe Pro One tyres, spot the Clik Valve tubeless valves too.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

The Laboral Kutxa team ride X-Lab bikes. I was enjoying the bright pink and white paint jobs; they really pop. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

This was a nice touch on one of the bike’s fork legs. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Here’s a wild move, fully bar taped STI shifter hoods here, surely a bid to make things a touch more comfortable. Note the two different lots of bar tape, too.<\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Here it is from the front, the tape wrapped around the front of the Dura-Ace levers.<\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

One Cofidis Look bike was the recently released limited edition 795 Blade RS Ciel Du Nord. The paint reflects Northern French skies. It looked fantastic in the flesh. <\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

The team uses Campagnolo. The Bora wheels were fitted with 32mm Vittoria Corsa Control tyres. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

This is a very expensive collection of parts. I believe this is the Super Record Ultra Titanium cassette from the Ultra upgrade kit. That’s one piece of machined titanium. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

The Lotto Orbea Orca bikes looked pretty stock; the team had some of the narrowest tyres around.<\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

The team had fitted 30mm Vittoria Corsa Pros, a seemingly conservative choice. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Here’s Pfeiffer Georgi’s Lapierre team bike; she was the only rider using some brand new Ursus wheels. <\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Ursus released a new wheel on Friday, the Arya G, designed for rough surfaces. The wheels use Sapim PBO vibration-damping spokes. <\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Here’s a close-up of the new Sapim spokes; the stock Ursus Arya wheels use carbon Vonoa spokes. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

The team had also switched to Vittoria Corsa Pro tyres from their usual Michelin models. All the logos were sharpied out. They wouldn’t give me a hard answer on why, but it’s likely because Michelin’s tyres go only to 30mm.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Next up was a trip to see Eleanor Backsted’s bike; she was using an ISM PN4.1 gravel road saddle. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

I also spotted this very cool-looking carbon chain catcher, very neat.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Backsted’s chainring looked a little dirty pre-race, unusual for a pro bike. Check out the purple SRAM chain for some bling. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Backstedt was also riding the new Canyon Endurace, spot the grip tape on the bottle cages. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Backstedt also had the existing Canyon PACE handlebar fitted, not the recently launched CP053 RACE handlebar, which we will see next. <\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Here is the new non-adjustable RACE bar, fitted to Tiffany Cromwell’s bike. It’s lighter and more aerodynamic, Canyon says. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Backsted was running the Zipp 303 NSW wheels with wireless tyre pressure sensor tech, a useful feature on the cobbles to monitor tyre pressures. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Tiffany Cromwell was using 35mm Schwalbe G One Speed gravel tyres, an unusual but probably smart and comfortable choice <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Two custom-painted Aeroads here on the team car roof, from the Canyon custom paint programme.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

The Cervelo S5 from Visma-Lease a Bike had the bars fully taped; it really stood out, and I assume the rider planned on holding the bar tops.<\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

3rd place finisher and former winner Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot had a fairly standard setup, but I saw more special tyre sealant on her tyre sidewalls, I assume to give more security and protection. <\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Here it is, it isn’t tubeless sealant, it\u2019s some kind of clear thin sealant. I’ve seen it on men’s and women’s bikes.<\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

I think the idea is that the sealant provides a better seal, helps bead retention and possibly prevents sealant leakage. But would it also boost aero performance by smoothing that bead, rim interface?<\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Over at Uno-X, there was a nice custom-painted Ridley Nosh FAST for Anniina Ahtosalo, the Finnish national road champion.<\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Liv Alula Jayco had swapped their usual Cadex tyres for what appear to be sponsor-incorrect Vittoria Corsa Pro Control rubber. The Control offers a little more protection than the Corsa Pro, and there was a mix of both models on show at the start. <\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

The team had also switched to a one-by aero chainring, like many other teams. Shimano doesn\u2019t currently offer such a product, and it\u2019s beginning to feel like it\u2019s a glaring omission for the groupset giant. <\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

The FDJ Suez United Specialized bikes looked great; the shortness of this stem struck me, and generally, you do see some shorter stems in the women\u2019s peloton. <\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

This bike also had more comprehensive stem notes, denoting which sectors were coming and at what point in the race.<\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

This is a nice one, race winner Franziska Koch\u2019s motivating stem note, she battled until the finish in a two against one situation and took a fantastic win. <\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Some eye-catching custom-painted Factors at Human Powered Health got a lot of attention; they really stood out and seemed to feature Pok\u00e9mon. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

The paint scheme was done by popular Belgian artist Vexx, whose work features lots of bright cartoon, doodle-like designs. <\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

34mm Corsa Pro Control tyres were fitted to the team\u2019s Factor Monzas; a wider tyre really helps on the cobblestones. <\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Another custom Factor, this time for Austrian champion Kathrin Schweinberger, the eagle features on the Austrian flag.<\/p>\n

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\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

More motivating stem notes here, which I believe translates as ‘slay the beast’. The rider also had section notes neatly applied to either side of the bar tops, although it must get to the point when you can\u2019t pay attention to them. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

This was one of my favourite chainset setups over at AG Insurance-Soudal, Dura-Ace cranks with a big old aero ring, it just looked mean.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

There was also a solid K-Edge custom ‘Wolfpack’ chain guide and chain catcher mounted as well; you can\u2019t be too careful at Roubaix. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

The team had also fitted wired Shimano GRX gravel derailleurs with a clutch to aid chain retention over the cobbles, a move we saw from a few Shimano teams over the weekend. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

The bikes had allen keys mounted to the seatposts, so that riders could quickly remove a rear wheel in the event of a flat; it\u2019s notoriously hard to get a spare bike at Roubaix. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Lidl-Trek used the Odyssey Optic Tyre inflation system, which features a toughened TPU tube inside the tubeless tyre, and the two are inflated separately. The tube provides more run-flat capability and increased protection on rough ground. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Elisa Balsamo had a custom-painted Trek Madone, which mirrored the one Mads Pederson was using.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Who doesn\u2019t love a few bling bottle cage bolts?<\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

This was an interesting bar setup for Shrin Van Anrooij, a two-piece bar and step, full bar tape wrap and SRAM wireless shifters on the tops and drops. Very Roubaix specific. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

I bagged a few minutes with Lotte Kopecky\u2019s bike; she had a two-piece bar and stem with a fairly shallow bar drop.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Kopecky had a 1X SRAM chainset with a 50-tooth chainring, a slightly smaller size than a lot of the male racers run. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Kopecky was on the recently released Cotton TLR tyres from Specialized in a 32mm size, \u2018A\u2019 possibly denotes this being a race day or \u2018best\u2019 tyre. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

This made me laugh. I thought it could mean carbs for Lotte, or a lot of carbs. Either way, Roubaix needs fuel. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

Full bar tape wrap for Kopecky, with satellite SRAM Blip shifters on either side of the stem. That electric tape finish would put me off, I think. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

This was interesting. Kopecky was using the older Roval Rapide CLX Team wheels with the easy-to-spot silver hubs, not the newer Roval Rapide CLX III or Sprint options. Perhaps there\u2019s something she prefers about these wheels. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

This Uno-X bike had me scratching my head for a minute. That\u2019s an SRAM Red XPLR rear mech, but paired to a 12-speed road cassette, not the XPLR-specific 13-sprocket cassette. They’d drilled an extra limit screw to convert it to 12-speed. This gives you the durability of the gravel derailleur but the close-spaced gears of the road cassette.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

I could hear the race helicopters by now, and finished with a quick stop at the EF Cannondale bikes, which were very stock, though several of the bikes had a nice double wrap of tape. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Bikes\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)<\/p>\n

This bike had an essay on the handlebars, chapeau to the rider for reading all over this whilst rattling over the stones of Roubaix, which will now lie silent and untroubled until next year. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It was a bright, sunny morning at the start of the sixth edition of Paris-Roubaix Femmes, though there…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":529627,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[4985,101,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-529626","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","tag-cycling","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/529626","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=529626"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/529626\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/529627"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=529626"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=529626"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=529626"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}