In the world of professional cycling, where the spotlight often shines on the riders conquering the grueling races, there exists a group of individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every pedal stroke is supported by a perfectly tuned machine. These unsung heroes are the mechanics, the wizards of the workshop who transform bikes into race-ready steeds capable of enduring the harshest conditions and most demanding terrains.
We chatted with Nicolas Coosemans, technical and development manager of Soudal Quick-Step to find out more about the life of a World Tour mechanic, his wildest fixes of all time, the evolution of bike equipment over the last decade, which riders are interested in bike maintenance, how quickly their mechanics can set up a bike, and more.
(Recorded in Calpe, Spain, December 14, 2023)
TOPICS DISCUSSED
00:00 Introduction
01:50 Nico’s Journey
07:19 What makes a good mechanic?
10:01 A Day In The Life Of A Pro-Mechanic
20:02 Tubes, Tubular or Tubeless?
21:16 Tire inserts and Extra Sealant for RBX
24:55 Grand Tour Custom Paint Job and Bar Wrap
26:48 Transition To Disc Brakes
28:58 Maintenance and Evolution of Bike Tech
38:32 Crashes, Broken Parts
39:48 UCI Safety Rules
43:18 Ending
– LINKS –
Host: Soren Jensen
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If you want your questions to be answered on air, be sure to submit your questions by sending us a message on social media or by email to podcast@castelli-cycling.com
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