Motorcycles Used in Tour de France
The Tour de France has been pushing riders to their limits since 1903. However, times have changed since then. Now, the race is more professional and safer.
Throughout the three-week race, there are several cars and motorcycles that accompany the cyclists. Kawasaki is the official supplier, providing bikes and spares for time keepers, stewards, and medical/first aid personnel. A total of 30 KLV1000 and ZRX motorcycles are used.
Support motorcycles
When you watch a Tour de France race, you’ll see a whole fleet of motorcycles in front, behind, and even among the riders. These motorcycles provide support for the cyclists and help them get to the finish line. The bikes are driven by motorcycle mechanics, who work with the riders to keep them going. They also help the cyclists with any mechanical problems they may have during the race.
In a three-year partnership with the organisers of Europe’s three major cycling grand tours, Yamaha will be providing its NIKEN leaning three-wheeler as official support motorcycle for these events. The NIKEN offers added stability through its revolutionary leaning multi-wheel technology, and can be used in sweltering summer heat or icy winter conditions.
The organisers of the Tour de France use motorcycles to film the event, as well as to transport time keepers and other officials. It takes a veritable army to run the Tour, and a lot of motorcycles.
Media vehicles
The Tour de France is a popular event, and brands are looking for opportunities to connect with the cycling community. In the past, many companies have followed the Tour with trucks and cars. In this way, they can reach a large audience and advertise their products at the same time.
These vehicles carry journalists, who are in radio contact with the riders. They also carry cameras and sound equipment. They can ride ahead of or behind the peloton under certain conditions. However, they cannot leapfrog the breakaway, which would endanger the riders.
There are also photo motos that circulate in the convoy to capture the “pretty” shots for TV. They can pass the peloton under the condition that they get a head nod from the rear regulaire. They can also move up and down the field as the peloton splinters, but only under specific conditions. They can also be slowed down by the gendarmes and politicos in charge of security.
Riders’ vehicles
The Tour de France is a long race, and it’s not uncommon for riders to experience mechanical problems. Fortunately, the organizers of the race have a number of motorcycle mechanics who can help them.
The race starts in Paris and ends in Marseille, passing through many small towns and villages along the way. The route changes every year, but the scenery is always beautiful. In addition, the roads are quiet and there’s little traffic.
There are strict protocols for cars and motorcycles on the road during the Tour de France. Cars stay on the right side of the road, and motorcycles must give a head nod to a rear regualire before they can pass. There are also several motorcycle photographers along the road capturing pretty shots for TV. These are not official tour motorcycles, but they usually have the same driver year after year. The red number 1 KODA is more than just a vehicle for the riders; it is a control tower, an office, and a friend.
Medical vehicles
The Tour is a logistical nightmare. Every day for 21 days the entire circus travels from one stage to the next, staying in 210 hotels. The organizers book 40,000 bed-nights for their staff and the teams.
The cars that follow the peloton are vital to the race. They serve as repair workshops, first aid stations, spare-parts suppliers, refreshment and gear-change points, and more. The Team Cars, usually Skoda Superbs and OCTAVIAs, are the heart of the race.
There are 44 team cars and seven ambulances following the riders. The medical cars can reach the riders quickly and are crucial to preventing serious injuries in the case of crashes. In addition, doctors in the cars can treat riders while the car is moving. This is especially important on the mountain stages, where riders are at their limits. The Souvenir Henri Desgrange is awarded to the first rider over the Col du Galibier, which honors Henri Desgrange, the founder of the Tour de France.