Mavic/Neutral Service Vehicle. What is their purpose?
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Mavic/Neutral Service Vehicle. What is their purpose?
Does Mavic just drive around to help out riders when they need a new wheel or bike when the team car is nowhere to be found???
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Since you answered your own question in the same sentence, I don't know how much input I can truly add in here.
This is also the time where I think riders definitely need the neutral support vehicles!
Originally Posted by roadgator
especially handy for riders on breakaways in the mountains when the team car could be minutes behind
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Or maybe it's just to advertise Mavic!!!
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Mavic neutral support is at a great many races around the world. At the Tour they are less important because the entrants are by-and-large premere teams with the best of support, but they still are an important element when the field gets fractured on narrow mountain roads that constrict the caravan of team cars. On the long time trials when a team has several racers starting close together, sometimes it can be good old Mavic neutral support that follows domestique #8.
They carry both Campagolo and Shimano wheels and several sizes of Cannondale CAAD 9 bikes*. Most importantly, Mavic cars and motorcycles (and sometimes motor scooters!) carry certified no-dope water - these days a racer alone on a climb wouldn't dare take a drink from a bottle handed up by a roadside fan, no matter how dehydrated!
TCS
*The only aluminum frame bikes at the Tour this year?
They carry both Campagolo and Shimano wheels and several sizes of Cannondale CAAD 9 bikes*. Most importantly, Mavic cars and motorcycles (and sometimes motor scooters!) carry certified no-dope water - these days a racer alone on a climb wouldn't dare take a drink from a bottle handed up by a roadside fan, no matter how dehydrated!
TCS
*The only aluminum frame bikes at the Tour this year?
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Originally Posted by roadgator
^^^ ive never seen someone use one of the bikes, but it looks like contador got a wheel from them today.
At the Tour de France, each team has their own massive support, so the Mavic cars are not as loaded as you see them at races in the USA, or in the European spring classics.
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Last edited by Moochers_Dad; 07-15-07 at 02:51 PM.
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Originally Posted by tcs
Mavic cars and motorcycles (and sometimes motor scooters!) carry certified no-dope water - these days a racer alone on a climb wouldn't dare take a drink from a bottle handed up by a roadside fan, no matter how dehydrated!
You're right, but I'm sure getting sick off the funky water that may have been sitting in one of those campers for who-knows-how-long is also a concern.
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Originally Posted by Moochers_Dad
I think the bikes are Colnagos.
TCS
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Originally Posted by tcs
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Last edited by Moochers_Dad; 07-15-07 at 03:38 PM.
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Originally Posted by Moochers_Dad
haha, too late! I already took it out.
All the best,
TCS
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What about pedals on the neutral support bikes? Do they have toeclips, or do they have one bike with Speedplays, one with Times, one with Shimano, etc...?
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Originally Posted by freemti
Looks (sic) like toeclips from the link w/the shot of the yellow Cannondales
The rider straps in until the team car can deliver a replacement bike with correct pedals
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