I don’t fully understand how teams coordinate support between the team cars or how they make repairs. We see them swap wheels and swap bikes. Sometimes riders get their original bike back. I can’t imagine they’re doing wheel repairs in the car and must simply have a supply of good wheels; do they ever use them all up? And there is usually more than one team car, so there must be some coordination. Is there any video or source where that highlights how teams manage all of this?
You’ve just come up with an idea for a new Escape article.
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In cobbled races there are often team-helpers all across the course with spare wheels. The team cars will grab the unused wheels as they drive past. I think the risk of running out is low, especially with all the spares on the bikes up top as well.
Mechanics definitely do repair things and replace tyres in the back of the car though - not fun!
What about the scenario where a rider punctures and gets given a spare bike? Do the team stop somewhere to swap out the wheel on that bike so it’s ready to use again? And then rejoin the race convoy? I assume they do rather than somehow magically swapping the wheel out while it’s still on the roof…
or maybe if there isn’t time they just swap a wheel out in the event of a second, or subsequent, puncture. It seems like bike swaps are faster for key riders and they’d always want to be prepared if they can.
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