The 2026 Tour de France stage 16, an individual time trial, promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with seven of the hottest time trial bikes on display. The race's unique course, featuring a 400m climb out of the start gate, a fast descent, and a twisty run through Thonon-les-Bains, will challenge riders to showcase their skills and equipment. Among the bikes in the spotlight are Tadej Pogačar's Colnago TT2, Matteo Trentin's BMC Timemachine Mpc, Mauro Schmid's Giant Trinity Advanced SL, Tom Pidcock's Pinarello Bolide F, Per Strand Hagenes' Cervélo P5, Lenny Martinez's Bianchi Aquila RC, and Søren Wærenskjold's Ridley Dean Fast.
Tadej Pogačar's Colnago TT2 is a standout, designed with a focus on weight reduction and aerodynamics. The bike's claimed weight reduction of 140g, achieved through a conventional steerer and a narrow head tube, contributes to its overall performance. However, the bike's weight of 8.14kg, while close to the UCI weight limit, raises questions about the balance between weight and aerodynamics. The bike's features, including a 64-tooth chainring and ENVE disc rear wheel, showcase a blend of performance and practicality.
Matteo Trentin's BMC Timemachine Mpc, inspired by the Hope Lotus track bike, features slim frame tubes and a narrow base bar. The bike's weight of 9.8kg places it towards the top end of Tour de France time trial bike weights. The inclusion of SRAM groupsets and a 60T chainring highlights the bike's versatility and performance.
Mauro Schmid's Giant Trinity Advanced SL, decked out in standard team colors, features 28mm Vittoria Corsa Speed tyres and a mono-riser bar extension. The bike's weight of 9.3kg showcases a balance between performance and practicality. The inclusion of a 130g saddle and a 1x Dura-Ace configuration adds to the bike's overall appeal.
Tom Pidcock's Pinarello Bolide F, based on the bike used by Filippo Ganna for the hour record, features a ribbed seat tube and seatpost inspired by whale skin. The bike's weight of 8.5kg showcases a blend of performance and aesthetics. The inclusion of a SRAM Red AXS 1x power meter and a 60T chainring highlights the bike's versatility and performance.
Per Strand Hagenes' Cervélo P5, featuring a bayonet fork and a standard Tacx bottle cage, showcases a balance between aerodynamics and practicality. The bike's weight of 8.8kg highlights a well-balanced design. The inclusion of a 68-tooth SRAM aero chainring and a 10-33t cassette adds to the bike's overall performance.
Lenny Martinez's Bianchi Aquila RC, the first generation built for disc brakes, features a steep seat tube and highly adjustable mono-riser carbon extensions. The bike's weight of 7.77kg showcases a focus on performance. The inclusion of a Digirit carbon chainring and a carbon power meter crankset highlights the bike's versatility and performance.
Søren Wærenskjold's Ridley Dean Fast, featuring Ridley's F-Surface Plus and a dual-riser system, showcases a blend of aerodynamics and performance. The bike's weight of 8.5kg highlights a well-balanced design. The inclusion of a SRAM power meter crankset and a 60T chainring adds to the bike's overall appeal.
