Road Cycling - TdF: 2 Equipment Questions

In the stage 19 TT, what was up with Lance's water bottle? It looked like one of those old Campagnolo Aero bottles that seem to have gone the way of the buffalo. I have never seen any rider use a non-Coca-Cola bottle in the Tour. Was he fined for using non-regulation equipment?

And, are Team Bianchi's bikes really black? Can anyone tell me why they aren't racing on celeste machines?

Answer my questions or add a few of your own to this thread. Baseless speculations are welcome but should be labeled as such.

Hasn't this been a great Tour? :)

OK, so nobody knows.

I read on cyclingnews.com that only Ullrich's bike was black. The rest of Team Bianchi's machines were standard issue celeste.

I'm still curious about Lance's TT water bottle. Anyone know?

I know his TT bike is black with celeste Bianchi emblems on it. It is bad-ass.

As for the water bottle thing, I didnt really focus that much on the guys water bottles. :D

Next year I plan on doing a complete inventory of every riders handle bar caps.

I'm surprised that they even use water bottles in a race that only last 1 hour or less. I would think that if they were properly hydrated (which Lance sure wasn't in TT#1) that in hour of riding even at their power output it would not cause much of a problem. I know they are exerting a ton of energy but the extra weight and aerodynamics must be a hindrance.

That final TT in the rain I would have S!#$ myself if I had to take a hand off of the bars. I can remember as kids riding on the ice and that is what it looked like on Saturday. Craziness!!!

i read somewhere that lance's water bottle was specially designed to go with the frame; yes, like EVERYTHING else armstrong-related, it's an aero thing.

I also thought it was an old Campy Aero water bottle.
Almost fell off the couch trying to get a better look at it.
I haven't seen any mention of it other than here.

The All black Bianchi was kind of cool, but would have
looked better if it had some Celeste in it.

Marty

Bianchi is actually producing bikes with an orange color in them now instead of the celeste green. I guess it is the modern age.

check scott's journal for Dax on trekbikes.com. he mentions the waterbottle, if for nothing else than to say it is a special aero water bottle.

Bianchi's should only be Celeste. All these other colours are just a passing fad.
Lance had a water bottle??

Ullrich's TT bike was black, I didn't see any of the other Bianchi TT bikes, but I'm 99% sure all the road bikes were that lovely bluey-green color.

As for the water bottle, why would you need to drink in weather like that? Just open your mouth as you're riding along!

Originally posted by Jonny B
Ullrich's TT bike was black, I didn't see any of the other Bianchi TT bikes, but I'm 99% sure all the road bikes were that lovely bluey-green color.

Someone else on this forum pointed out that Ullrich's TT bike is a Walser (http://www.walser-cycles.ch/Cy_model3/Cy_model3_E.htm). This may be why it didn't get the Bianchi Celeste treatment.

yes the model 5 though not the model 3 as indicated by the link.
an unpainted model 5 complete with low handlebar position.
Bianchi don't have a TT bike on their website.
Their's is probably still under development since they were onluy planning on full sponsorship starting next year.

Bianchi's should be Celeste.

Ullrich's TT bike did have a celeste Bianchi logo on the downtube, but I guess that must have been the team name, rather than the bike company (if you see what I mean).

Thsi wouldn't be the first time that a frame made by another company has sported the decals of the manufacturer who sponsors the team. Lance, for years, rode a Litespeed with Trek stickers.

Jan rode a black Bianchi with celeste decals during TdF stages other than the time trials.

Btw, Bianchi has always offered bikes in colors other than Celeste. I have a gray Bianchi Eros with Celeste decals. Celeste is their racing color, however.