Professional Cycling For the Fans - camelBak?

did anyone notice during the TTT that bobby jullric (sp?) was using a camelbak? I thought those were illegal under UCI rules.... :rolleyes:

That was the first I'd seen one in the tour. I'd love to see more of them though - might save on the water bottle push. At the same time what happens if / when you run out of water.

did anyone notice during the TTT that bobby jullric (sp?) was using a camelbak? I thought those were illegal under UCI rules.... :rolleyes:


Julich has used a camelbak in TT's since the late 90's ( although he doesn't always use one ) . The wind tunnel test revealed that wearing a camelbak under a skinsuit can make a rider more aero and keep them cooler.


Buddy B

I saw the bit on the Camelback site. They were amazed tol see it themselves. They haven't made that particular vest for a while. It is actually a vest with a bladder in it.

Camelback may consider bringing it back if the interest is there, but if they don't see the demand they will not reintroduce it.

Julich has used a camelbak in TT's since the late 90's ( although he doesn't always use one ) . The wind tunnel test revealed that wearing a camelbak under a skinsuit can make a rider more aero and keep them cooler.


Buddy B


A la Valetino Rossi. :)

But I thought it was illegal under the UCI rules...what gives?

But I thought it was illegal under the UCI rules...what gives?


show us the rule....

http://www.uci.ch/

Oh i dont know where it is, I just remember everyone saying that they couldn't use them for some reason. Why doesn't everyone use them?

probably coz they are as uncomfortable as carrying a bladder of water around on your back in the height of a French summer.
Dunno about the UCI...maybe they view it as a fairing of some sort??

I remember one of Lance's earlier Trek TT bikes had a bladder built into the frame with a big straw poking up through the bars for him to sip on. Nice.

I saw the bit on the Camelback site. They were amazed tol see it themselves. They haven't made that particular vest for a while. It is actually a vest with a bladder in it.

Camelback may consider bringing it back if the interest is there, but if they don't see the demand they will not reintroduce it.


HEADLINE CAMELBAK® MAKES A SURPRISE RETURN TO THE TOUR
SOURCE CamelBak Products, LLC
ARTICLE Petaluma, CA – Sharp-eyed Tour de France viewers noticed a telltale bulge under the jersey of CSC’s Bobby Julich during Wednesday’s 64.5 km team time trial – the veteran American star was wearing his CamelBak.

Julich was wearing a custom CamelBak product called the RaceVest, which holds a 40 ounce reservoir in a tight, stretchable CoolMax™ vest. The tube and Big Bite™ Valve, which were visible on OLN’s TV coverage, exit through the front of the jersey. The idea behind the product was a hands-free hydration for time trialists that would let them maintain their aero position and not cover all-important sponsorship logos.

The RaceVest received UCI approval for time trial events in 1998, but has been out of production since 2001. As Sky George, CamelBak’s VP/Marketing explains, “It was a great product, but one with a very small market. As CamelBak grew in the recreational and military categories, the RaceVest fell off the back. I had no idea that Bobby still had his, or that he would use it in the Tour. I watch the Tour every morning. Needless to say, I almost fell off my chair when I saw Julich.”

Julich has worn the RaceVest before, for longer, flat time trials. Dylan Casey also wore one when he won the 1999 US national TT Championship. Both the Men’s and Women’s US Amateur Hour records were set by riders wearing a RaceVest.

So, given Wednesday’s successful return, will the RaceVest make it back to CamelBak production? “That would mean there were enough American time trial riders to support the line”, says George. “As a race fan, that would make me very happy”. It would make me very happy too.